nEws for and aBout thE EPIlEPsY CoMMunItY of Colorado • MaY 2016 EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF COLORADO • 5889 GREENWOOD PLAZA BLVD., SUITE 404 • GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO 80111 two and a half hours. The family returned to The time may seem insignificant on its own. the hospital for two days’ But for Tracey Pitter, it felt like a lifetime. worth of tests. Finally, an That’s how long she watched her 3-year-old answer: Guillain-Barre son, Liam, in the throes of his first seizure. syndrome, a condition in “It’s been a long road,” Pitter said. which the immune system That road, full of twists and turns, has led attacks the nerves. Pitter to join the Denver Strides for Epilepsy Liam headed home after 5K in June. Not only to support Liam, but two more days of also to raise awareness for so many people treatment, but today, who are living with epilepsy. there’s been little break in Her eventual journey to Strides started on his health concerns. More May 14, 2015. seizures. Fevers. A bout Pitter’s morning turned frantic when her with bacterial pneumonia. youngest daughter told her that Liam was Mobility issues. having a seizure. At her daughter’s “This whole thing has insistence, Pitter headed to Liam’s bedroom, just transformed him into where the bad news turned out to be true. a different child,” Pitter Pitter, who’d also had a close family said. member with epilepsy, knew the seizure Still, Liam is like any should end after five minutes, so she other child who just watched the clock. wants to be like every - Five minutes came and went. The seizure one else. He wants to continued. visit the playground, Liam Pitter She called 911 and ended up at a hospital go swimming and ice near her south Aurora home. For an hour skate with his sisters. Rocky Mountain region more, Liam’s seizures continued, untouched And typical of many kids, to benefit those living with by medical intervention. He was then he gets frustrated when he epilepsy in Colorado. airlifted to Children’s Hospital Colorado in can’t. Pitter understands nothing is Aurora. With three other children at home certain when it comes to Liam’s health. Nearly three hours after they’d started, the and an ocean away from her native England, But there’s one thing she does know – her seizures began to come under control. Pitter sought a way to meet others who family is grateful to have him in their lives. The angst continued even after Liam’s shared her experience. “Regardless of what he goes through, he’s discharge later that evening. He screamed in She visited the Epilepsy Foundation of so happy and joyful,” she said. “We love and pain all night. His legs were unstable, and he Colorado website in search of resources, appreciate him, and we just enjoy every day could barely stand. where she was thrilled to find the Strides 5K we have, no matter how hard it gets. That’s as an outlet for epilepsy awareness. our goal. Enjoy every day, and take it with Liam's Lovelies will be a part of Especially, she said, in a time where many stride.” the largest epilepsy awareness other medical conditions get more attention. So with the click of a button, her team – event in the Rocky Mountain FIND INFORMATION ABOUT Liam’s Lovelies – was born. She will join her ORGANIZING YOUR OWN TEAM region to benefit those living husband, children and some local friends at FOR THE STRIDES FOR the 5K in June. The team will be a part of the EPILEPSY 5K RUN/WALK AT with epilepsy in Colorado. EPILEPSYCOLORADO.ORG largest epilepsy awareness event in the

www.epilepsycolorado.org Strides for Epilepsy 5K Event Information Sunday, June 12, 2016 at Denver’s City Park

Join us for a family-friendly walk or run JoIn a tEaM, start onE of through Denver’s City Park to raise Your own, or rEGIstEr awareness and funds in support of the IndIVIduallY. 50,000 Coloradans living with epilepsy. MAXIMIZE YOUR SUPPORT BY The Strides 5K is the largest annual epilepsy ORGANIZING A TEAM! event in the state. Come enjoy an inspiring onCE You rEGIstEr Your and energizing morning, and help us build a tEaM, You Can: stronger community of support! • Customize your individual fundraising RACE DAY SCHEDULE page 8:30 AM Check-in time! Pick up your shirt, • Send a fundraising email to friends and COMING bib and timing chip. family 9:25 AM Molly’s Fun Run for the little ones • Download a printable donation form SOON 9:30 AM Take your mark! 5K begins now! • Track your progress 10:30 AM Awards and entertainment by • Post status updates on Facebook and Richie Furay Band Twitter

REGISTER ONLINE AT KID’S KORNER EPILEPSYCOLORADO.ORG Loads of fun for the younger set... NOTE: Pre-Registration closes at 1 p.m. on June 10. • Carnival games with prizes, popcorn and sno-cones EntrY fEEs: • Face painters, caricature artists, and n Individual runner/walker: $30 stilt walkers to entertain kids of all ages Includes a shirt and a timing chip for • Complimentary snacks and treats. runners. Price increases to $35 on event • Special guest appearances from your Strides 5K day. favorite sports teams cheerleaders and mascots saturday, n Snoozer: $30 For those unable to attend but still want ASK THE EXPERT TENT to show their support. Race T-shirt is sept. 11, 2016 Drop in and speak to leading medical included. experts about the latest developments in Memorial Park n Children ages 12 and under: $15 treatments and therapies for epilepsy. Colorado springs Wee ones in strollers are free!

Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado Strides for Epilepsy 5K Sponsors

CAN Community Action Network

Rock Out with Richie Furay Band! This year’s Strides 5K will feature a live performance by local favorite, the Richie Furay Band!

Furay is a singer, songwriter and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member best known for forming the bands Buffalo Springfield and . Richie and his band tour the country, performing their signature style of rock, and blues rock. This year’s schedule includes a September 25 stop at Red Rocks Amphitheatre with Gregg Allman and ZZ Top.

Both camps are designed Pack Up for Summer Camp to help campers build SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN confidence, make new friends and learn more n n about epilepsy in a safe Jason Fleishman Summer Camp Rock n' Rally and supportive environ - Open to teens with epilepsy ages 13-17 Open to children with epilepsy ages 8-12 ment. Online registration is YMCA of the Rockies, Cal-Wood Education Center, now open. Please visit www.epilepsycolorado.org. Estes Park Jamestown Click Youth Support, then July 6-10, 2016 July 29-31, 2016 go to Camps.

www.epilepsycolorado.org Why Support Strides?

Community.

It’s a single – and powerful – word. and it explains just how important the strides 5K is to us. Colorado Is hoME to by knowing what to do when someone has 50,000 people living with epilepsy. They a seizure. The Foundation provides seizure we’ve nurtured a may be your friends, your family or maybe first aid training to thousands of people community dedicated to someone standing next to you at the every year. School nurses, teachers, improving the lives of grocery store. employers and employees, first responders those with epilepsy, and it’s They could be someone like Campbell Fisk, and senior centers – all have benefited from because of people just like a Boulder child who lives with tonic-clonic the step-by-step curriculum delivered by you who support strides and absence seizures. Or maybe someone qualified volunteers and seasoned staff. every year. our community like Larissa Grammer, a varsity diver for the also demonstrates the University of Denver who balances epilepsy Advocacy Initiatives power of one voice. It’s a and athletics with grace and strength. We’re here to help people speak up about voice that, over time, has Campbell and Larissa are just two of the what they need to be successful in work, in raised awareness, resulted many people across the state who benefit school and in public. Our advocacy initiatives in better therapies, from programs offered through the Epilepsy not only help individuals, but unite the generated additional Foundation of Colorado. And the Foundation community on key legislative initiatives. research funding, and benefits from their inspiring resolution to We’re ready and able to attend Individual helped us move closer to tackle epilepsy head-on. Education Plan (IEP) meetings to advocate stopping epilepsy in its The Strides for Epilepsy 5K is more than for accommodations in the classroom or rally tracks. just an event. It’s the heartbeat of our the masses on key legislative initiatives. community. It’s one voice sharing one the strides 5K is our message – to stop epilepsy in its tracks. Youth Opportunities chance to continue to raise And it provides serious financial resources Children and teens living with epilepsy can our voices – not only as a for core programs offered at no charge to find support through our youth opportunities. force here in the rockies, anyone in need through the Foundation. The Jason Fleishman and Rock n’ Rally but across the west and Summer Camps offer a safe overnight the entire country. Join us Care Management experience to help children find confidence as one of the many who No matter where you are in your journey and make new friends. We also provide are dedicated to ending with epilepsy, our care management seizure safety for students in schools. Finally, epilepsy. Become a part of program is there to help you. Our specially our Youth Council helps teens develop our community, and start trained staff connects clients to epilepsy leadership and community activism skills. the journey with a single resources and program support. We provide stride this June. the tools to help you take an active role in So why support Strides? Maybe the real your health care. question is … why not? Gail Pundsack Executive director Community Education Hope to see you there! Knowledge is power, and everyone benefits

Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado Memories of Strides 5K

www.epilepsycolorado.org Non-Profit Organization US Postage PAID Permit No. 18 5889 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. Suite 404 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Return Service Requested.

Sunday, June 12, 2016 denver’s City Park Register online at epilepsycolorado.org

Challenges become opportunities when we come together!

Entering a team for the Strides for Epilepsy 5K is a great way to bring friends and family together for a great cause. Get involved and help us shine a light on the courage and strength of our community at the largest epilepsy awareness event in Colorado. Together we can stop epilepsy in its tracks!

Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado