May 2015 NEWSLETTER
Serving epilepsy patients in Northern California from Fresno to Monterey to the Oregon border
In This Issue
Website Quick Links
Donate Used Goods &
Shop Savers
Berkeley, Dublin, Vacaville
D onations benefit the 
Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California and  are tax deductible .
(855) 336-0212
Savers accepts all gently used clothing and housewares.
Free Training | Education
Schools, businesses and community groups receive free training on seizure recognition and first aid.
Schedule yours today:
(415) 677-4011
Thank You
2015 Stroll Sponsors
Olympic

Marathon

Sprinter
  


Epilepsy Center of Excellence

Stroller




#DareTo Smile For Epilepsy
Every time you shop Amazon using smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate to EFNC and it doesn't cost you a penny! You get all the same products and deals you're already getting by shopping at Amazon. Happy Shopping! Happy Smiles!
With Gratitude to
2014 Gala Sponsors

Gold 
Remick Family Foundation

 
Silver
Prakash Arunachalam
Chrisman Family Trust
Falasco Keeney Family
Edie E. Zusman MD &
Stephen Pratt

 
 
Pacific Brain and Spine
 

Benefactor
Ken and Veronika Archer
Nancy and Fred Teichert
Charles Wilson, MD &
Frances Petrocelli
Frank and Lesley Yeary

Epilepsy Awareness Stroll 

Stronger Together!

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Oakland/ San Francisco
Cut the ribbon and we're off!
THANK YOU to all those who attended, volunteered, and supported the 23rd Annual Epilepsy Awareness Stroll.

With more than 412 Strollers, 35 volunteers and 13 sponsors, you blew past the goal of $90,000 all the way to $111,000! Congratulations to prize winners: Robert Moore--most money raised; William McCurry--most team members; and Erin Vanegas raffle winner--a trip to San Diego for four! A big shout out to Sir C.C. Cleveland Cavaliers mascot, who flew all the way from Cleveland to be with us to support epilepsy awareness! A very special thank you to Stroll Chair, Kerry Youker, and all who helped make this event a huge success! After the Stroll participants enjoyed lunch, they went off to the amusement areas where their fun continued!

Our Young Adult Leadership Council and Professional Advisory Board continued to build our Seizure First Aid Certification Program to teach seizure first aid to the 99% of people who don't have epilepsy. More than 225 were certified! The certification table was placed in a public area of Six Flags, reaching all park attendees. Representatives from  Savers, our partner in epilepsy awareness and support, joined in out-reach to park-goers!

Stroll sponsorships enable EFNC to provide trainings for school teachers and staff; provide education and support for people with epilepsy, their caregivers, and educate the MANY people who need to understand epilepsy.

Team and Stroll pictures will be available soon...and Save the Date for 2016, Saturday, May 21st!
Remember Tommy?
Tommy's Mom Speaks Out!

Kerry Youker, Epilepsy Awareness Stroll Chair, was highlighted on the News10 Sacramento morning show with Dan Elliott on May 15, 2015. Kerry promoted the Stroll, EFNC services and her own story. Listen in!
Kerry and Tommy
Do You Have Media Connections?
Put us in touch with your local media--knowledge will knock out the stigma! We make experts available to discuss epilepsy: 415.677.4011
Mighty Mike Scores!
New Program--Inspirational & Fun!

Bouncing Out The Stigma

Twenty children ages seven to 14, enjoyed an afternoon with Mighty Mike Simmel--a former Harlem Wizards basketball player. As a little boy, Mike was almost forced to stop playing basketball because he had epilepsy. Despite many barriers, he went on to reach his goal of playing on a professional team. Mighty Mike captured the children's attention by telling his own story, demonstrating tricks, and giving a basketball clinic while sending the message to never give up on your dreams. Each child with epilepsy was able to bring a friend or sibling. Basketball players from Sacred Heart Schools volunteered as coaches for each squad and Dr. Brenda Porter, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, volunteered as our onsite physician. 


The camp was made possible by sponsorships and donations from Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, Max Berry and the Berry Family, Siblings4Seizures, Somersaults, Cyberonics, Lundbeck, and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital StanfordKids had a great time and are still talking about it! 

Team Photo with Mighty Mike
Last Chance to Apply!
Paul E. Smith Scholarship

The Paul E. Smith Scholarship is funded and awarded by a generous gift from the Paul E. Smith family. Paul's family lost him to epilepsy at the age of 22 and honors his legacy by helping other students with epilepsy further their education. 
  • For high school seniors who have epilepsy and who live in the counties served by the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California.
  • Recipient will receive $2,000 towards their college education.
  • Application Period closes May 29, 2015
For more about Paul E.Smith's story and the scholarship process, click here
Creating Hope Through Art
Spreading Community Awareness

In 2010, when her then five-year-old son was diagnosed with epilepsy, Peninsula resident Gisselle Godoy learned about the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California
(EFNC). Gisselle and her husband Andy felt helpless
Carlos at Mighty Mike Camp
that they could not "fix" their son's condition. Their outlook began to improve as Gisselle perused the EFNC website and noticed that the Epilepsy Awareness Stroll was just months away, an opportunity to connect with other parents and families dealing with epilepsy. Now, the Godoy family wants to give back to the epilepsy community that provided them with support and strength during their challenging time dealing with Carlos' diagnosis. 

Over the years the Godoy family has been on a roller coaster dealing with the highs and lows of Carlos' progress and his response to various medications. 2014 was the most challenging year for the Godoy family--Carlos lost all cognitive functions, ability to speak and was gradually losing motor skills. It was devastating to watch their son in this state. They felt helpless and hopeless, but didn't stop looking for an answer

Eventually, Gisselle and Andy learned that their son has a rare form of epilepsy called Electrical Status Epilepticus in Sleep with Continuous Spikes and Waves During Slow Sleep (ESES/CSWS). This means that Carlos' brain is highly active at night and he was only getting 15% of the sleep he needed. They quickly learned that aggressive treatment was necessary. 
Work of Art!
 
Carlos' new treatment began in April 2014. Today, their nine-year-old son is talking, inquisitive and very active with sports. He loved the Mighty Mike Camp! Gisselle reports hearing her son laughing in his sleep, something he has never done!

Gisselle Godoy wants to give back to the community who has and is helping her family through this journey. In May, she hosted a gathering with friends at Create, Mix, and Mingle in San Mateo--proceeds were donated to EFNC. Gisselle says, "It was a relaxing evening among friends that involved painting, sipping wine and some singing! It was so uplifting to see the support from everyone for a cause so close to my heart."
Summer Plans?
Coelho Epilepsy Youth Summer Camp
 
August 2-7, 2015
CYO Camp, Occidental, CA

Tuition: $600 (5 nights--Sunday to Friday)
Scholarships available. 
Included: Room & Board, Tee-Shirt, Fun Activities, Specialized Medical Support

Epilepsy Camp 2014
Epilepsy Camp 2014
Join us at Coelho Epilepsy Youth Summer Camp in Occidental, CA. Campers ages 9-17 will enjoy a unique adventure where they can have fun, participate in outdoor activities, build friendships, and escape some of their daily challenges. Medical professionals specializing in epilepsy provide around the clock supportApply Today!
Check Your Time
Embrace Watch
Embrace is a watch that tracks activity, stress and overall balance. It is designed to bring a better lifestyle to people that live with epilepsy: they receive an alert when an unusual event happens, like a convulsive seizure, warning them and their loved ones. 


Empatica, creators of Embrace, has partnered with the Epilepsy Foundation to distribute Embrace Watches to families in need. Due to generous donors familiar with Empatica and its mission, 1,500 Embrace watches purchased through the Embrace Indiegogo campaign are being matched 1:1 and being loaded with the seizure detector app. Learn more on how to apply here