Toms River Teen Gets Word Out About Rare Disease

Toms River's Chris Nolze has had more than his share of medical battles in his 19 years, and those battles have inspired him to make a difference. That is exactly what he's doing.

During October, as you travel through Toms River, you will notice teal ribbons. Those ribbons are a reminder to learn about a disease called Trigeminal Neuralgia. It is a painful affliction that affects a nerve in the face that carries sensation to the face.

Chris has been battling the affliction for two and a half years, but it hasn't stopped him from wanting to get the word out about the disease. The mayor of Toms River is allowing Chris to hang those teal ribbons all over town to raise awareness in October, and at the town meeting tonight there will be a proclamation recognizing October 7th as Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day.

This is not Chris' only medical battle in his life. He was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 12 and is currently cancer free. He also battled intractable hiccups in early 2014, which resulted in painful continuous hiccups for nearly a year. The condition was a result of radiation therapy. Chris needed surgery to stop the hiccups.

If you want to help Chris get the word out, or you need more information or just show him support, just visit Chris's Fight For A Cure Facebook page.