Mannford quadruplets are Oklahoma's neurofibromatosis heroes

Quadruplets who are all male are rare. So are organized “Undie Runs.” And so is neurofibromatosis.

What do these things have in common besides their rarity?

A set of quadruplet boys, three of whom are identical, from Mannford has been named Oklahoma’s NF Heroes for the state’s first Cupid’s Undie Run.

Identical brothers Cooper, Allen and Logan Newby have neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder affecting one in every 3,000 to 4,000 births, according to the Children’s Tumor Foundation. The disorder can cause life-threatening tumors and other symptoms.

Their fraternal brother, Wyatt Newby, is NF free.

Cupid’s Undie Run is a “brief” run of about a mile and takes place the evening of Valentine’s Day. Many participants will strip to their bedroom best for the run, which likely will be a chilly experience. Some people will dress more modestly in costumes that resemble undies.

Oklahoma’s quadruplet NF heroes won’t be running, though. The event is for adults and starts at The Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan Ave. The boys are 5.

This year, Cupid’s Undie Run has expanded to Oklahoma City and seven other cities, now totaling 38 cities in the United States and Australia. Since its inception in 2010, the nonprofit run has donated $4.5 million to the Children’s Tumor Foundation, with 100 percent of fundraising dollars going to the foundation.

The boys’ mother, Jennifer Lawson-Newby, said she’s been told that hers were the first all-male quadruplets born in Oklahoma since the 1940s.

The boys are bursting with energy and love playing soccer (Logan prefers dramatic pursuits) and attending Mannford Elementary, where they are in kindergarten.

Cooper, Allen, Logan and Wyatt look quite alike, though they vary in size a bit.

They seem happy and healthy.

If you look closely at Cooper, Allen and Logan, you may notice what look like birthmarks all over their bellies and backs. These marks are called cafe au lait spots and are a common symptom of neurofibromatosis.

The tumors associated with NF usually start benign, according to the Mayo Clinic, but can become cancerous. Other effects of neurofibromatosis can include hearing loss, learning impairment and cardiovascular complications. NF can also cause disability due to nerve compression by tumors, loss of vision and severe pain.

But Cooper, Allen and Logan have remained relatively unscathed.

That, in part, is due to what parents Jennifer Lawson-Newby and Joe Newby consider a miracle.

In October 2013, Allen was diagnosed with a brain tumor, approximately 1 millimeter in size.

“We kept it fairly quiet. We didn’t really confide in too many people because of the shock of it all,” Lawson-Newby said. Fear gripped the family as their worst fear seemed to be happening.

Doctors planned to perform brain surgery six months later to remove the tumor. A follow-up MRI of Allen’s brain was ordered before doctors were to do the surgery.

“We had a prayer group on Wednesday, the MRI was on a Friday, and I got a call on Monday saying the tumor was gone,” Lawson-Newby said. The tumor had disappeared. “Miracle? Yes, very much so.”

Today, the boys are healthy, and their NF seems to be under control, though the family must monitor them closely for signs of visual and learning problems and new tumors, and take the boys for MRIs every six months or so.

And every time one of the boys says he has a headache, their mother’s heart drops. Could it be another brain tumor? The boys are tumor-free as of now. The family’s dearest hope is they stay that way. Some children and adults with NF have to deal with hundreds of tumors throughout their bodies.

By sharing their story, the boys’ parents hope to raise awareness and support research for a genetic disorder that many have never heard of.

To learn and help

Oklahoma’s Children’s Tumor Foundation chapter in Tulsa holds an annual NF Walk in May to raise research funds.

But first, Cupid’s Undie Run will be Feb. 14, beginning at Wormy Dog Saloon in Bricktown. Doors open at noon, awards for the best dressed, best fundraiser and other fun categories will be presented at 1 p.m., and the run begins at 2 p.m. Top fundraisers will be eligible to enjoy a free VIP bar.

For more information or to register for the run (the earlier you register, the cheaper it is), go to www.cupidsundierun.com/city/oklahoma-city/ or www.ctf.org.