Cheryl Babo was born in Youngstown, Ohio, but has spent most of her adult life in Phoenix, Arizona. Cheryl and her husband, Keith, are the parents of two children — Ryan Anthony Babo, who was born on February 19, 2002, and Regan Audrey Babo, who was born on March 9, 2005.

Cheryl's son Ryan was diagnosed with juvenile onset Tay-Sachs disease in March 2005, at the age of 3 years old. Two months later, Ryan received a cord blood transplant at University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. Ryan died as a result of transplant complications four months later on August 30, 2005.

Cheryl attended Arizona State University, where she obtained her undergraduate degree (B.A., Philosophy 1990), law degree (J.D. 1993), and joint business administration and information management degrees (M.B.A./M.S.I.M. 2001). She spent the first part of her legal career as a commercial litigation attorney, focusing primarily in the area of complex civil actions.

After her son's diagnosis and death, Cheryl changed her career focus and now practices exclusively in the area of life sciences law. She currently is employed as Assistant Counsel for The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in Phoenix, Arizona and Of Counsel for Life Sciences Law, PLLC in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Julie Bihn is wife to Ken Bihn, and Mom to Dakota, age 8 who has Juvenile Onset Tay-Sachs and Bailey, age 10, who is a carrier. Julie is a stay-at-home mom who loves to be involved in her daughters' schools, sports, and therapies. Julie holds a degree in elementary education and was a substitute teacher, preschool teacher and summer school teacher before staying home with her two daughters. She has been actively involved in PTA and her daughters' schools for years.

Julie is excited to take part in finding a cure for the horrible disease that has affected all aspects of her family's life. She looks forward to using her talents and experiences with PTA fundraising events to help raise money for a cure. Julie is confident that with dedication and hard work, we can fund the research to find a cure for Tay-Sachs disease.

Born (1964) and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1986 with an accounting degree. Over the years Ken has worked for Ernst & Young, Figgie International, TRINOVA and Aeroquip-Inoac in capacities ranging from public accountant, operation analyst, controller, and production manager. In June 2000 Ken and his brother purchased Nu-Di Corporation and he became President and co-owner. Since that time the company has nearly tripled in size and is now a world class manufacturer of service use test equipment for the transportation industry.

Ken was married to his wife Julie in September 1993 and has two daughters - Bailey born in October 1996 and Dakota born in May 1999. In September 2005 Dakota was diagnosed with Juvenile On-Set Tay-Sachs disease and since that date Ken has set his sights on defeating this disease. Dakota had a cord blood transplant at Duke Medical Center in January 2006 and Ken and his family started the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation in June 2007.

Tim was born the youngest of three to Bob and Jean Bihn (brother Ken & sister Sue (Mitchell)). Raised in Cleveland, Tim attended BGSU in Ohio and graduated with a business degree in 1991. After graduation, began fulltime employment with Nu-Di Corporation. In 2000, become Vice President and co-owner of Nu-Di

Tim and his wife Erin meet at Nu-Di in 1997 and now are blessed with three children – Fiona (born in July ’02), Maeve (born in May ’04) and Kaleb (born in June ’05). In 2005, Tim was honored with being the godfather to Dakota & Bailey Bihn.

Desiree is a proud mother of two boys, Brenden and Conner. Conner was diagnosed with infantile Tay-Sachs at the age of 7 ½ months and passed away shortly before his second birthday. Soon after Conner’s diagnosis, Desiree became quite active within the NTSAD and currently holds a position on the board. She also formed the Conner's Way Foundation in honor of her son to expand education and carrier screening practices for Tay-Sachs disease.

Additionally, as a nurse specializing in pediatrics, Desiree has had experience with pediatric bone marrow transplantation, various genetic disorders, and all aspects of pediatric critical care.

Desiree has been involved in public speaking on Tay-Sachs disease and pediatric hospice and palliative care involvement. Through the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation, Desiree is focused on community education for Tay-Sachs and the funding of promising therapies which will ultimately lead to a cure.

Bridget is mother to Molly Grace Jordan- a 5 year old Tay-Sachs child. Bridget and her husband, Mark, live in Kentucky. Mark is self employed making artificial concrete stone for residential uses. They have two other children, Hannah (14) who enjoys basketball, and Kristen (10) who loves cheerleading.

Bridget is a stay at home mom and is also currently going to school to obtain a communications disorders degree and wishes to become a speech pathologist. She has learned so much from caring for Molly and wants to share her love and compassion with other children. She is a talented crafter who makes Molly Grace Hair Bows which she sells on her own eBay store. The proceeds from this online store benefit the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation. She is also active at her church, Candle Ridge Baptist, volunteering her time to sew costumes for plays and helping at choir events. Bridget is passionate about finding a cure for Tay-Sachs disease.

Rick Karl (right) is one of two proud fathers of Krystie Anna Karl-Steiger. Krystie was born on January 26th, 2006 (and was a great birthday gift for her Dad who shares that same date). Krystie was diagnosed with Tay Sachs disease just before her first birthday.

Rick and family are currently living in Minneapolis, where Krystie has received a cord blood stem cell transplant in hopes of halting the disease. They hope to return to their home in California sometime in December, 2007. Krystie is doing relatively well, and is in the midst of some very significant post-transplant rehabilitative therapy.

Rick is an IT sales consultant with the Teradata division of the NCR Corporation, and has spent most of his career in manufacturing management. He works with Fortune 500 firms to help them understand and manage the large amount of data that resides throughout any large organization.

More information on the Karl-Steiger family and on Krystie is available at www.caringbridge.org/visit/krystie

Nichole Markowich was married to husband Craig in May of 2000. She has two daughters Brianne (January 1995) and Alexis (March 2001). Alexis was diagnosised with Juvenile onset Tay-Sachs in August of 2005. Lexi had a cord blood transplant at Duke University Medical Center in December of 2005. Losing her battle to an infection in her blood in September of 2006.

Nichole has an Associates Degree in Business Management and is currently attending school again pursuing a degree in nursing. After caring for her daughter, she now has a passion to help others. She is dedicated to finding a cure to prevent future loss to other families.

Scott began his career with Bank of America in 1981 and has been in the financial services industry more than 25 years. He has been with Wachovia Securities since 1992. Scott was promoted to First Vice President of Investments in 2000. He is a partner of the Wolf, Metzger & Maurillo Wealth Management Group and recently earned his designation as a Board Certified Estate Planner. He graduated from the Florida School of Banking at the University of Florida in 1987 and has been recognized as one of Wachovia Securities Premiere Advisors.

Scott was born in Ohio but has lived in Ft. Myers Florida since 1980. Ken and Scott have remained close friends since the fourth grade and the Metzgers think of the Bihns as family. Scott and His wife, Diana, have recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. They have three daughters Jordyn – 18, Taylor – 16 and Madison – 12. Scott and Diana are very involved in their church and the children’s sports. Scott is a board member of Bishop Verot Catholic High School and active in the Junior Achievement Program. Scott enjoys golf, traveling and watching Cleveland sports in his spare time.

Tim is father to Elise Ryne Rochman – 3 ½ year old with Tay-Sachs. Tim and his wife Kerri currently live outside St. Louis, Missouri. Kerri is a Captain in the United States Air Force. They have one other child, Eden (2) who loves to read, swim, and shower her sister with kisses.

Tim was previously employed by the United States Coast Guard and has a Bachelors degree in recreation from Southern Illinois University. As a stay-at-home dad, he keeps busy entertaining his girls and getting them out for their daily jogs (rain or shine). He also promotes Tay-Sachs awareness by sponsoring local softball and kickball teams as well as helping organize an annual benefit concert in his daughter’s honor.