A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION WESTERN/CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA Spring 2008 www.efwp.org 20th20th AAnniversary!nniversary! Pittsburgh Fun Run/Walk Going 20 Years Strong EPILEPSY FOUNDATION WESTERN/CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA Western PA Office: Central PA Office: 1501 Reedsdale Street 900 South Arlington Avenue Suite 3002 Suite 126 Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Harrisburg, PA 17109 TOLL FREE: 1-800-361-5885 TOLL FREE: 1-800-336-0301 PHONE: 412-322-5880 PHONE: 717-541-0301 FAX: 412-322-7885 FAX: 717-541-1202 WEBSITE: www.efwp.org EMAIL: [email protected] South Central PA Office: TDD EOP/AUX AID: 1-800-855- 2880 1450 Scalp Avenue Suite 1150 Northwest PA Office: Johnstown, PA 15904 915 State Street PHONE:814-262-7494 Suite 101 Erie, PA 16501 A copy of our official registration and financial information may be obtained from the PHONE: 814-451-1135 Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. FAX: 814-451-1150 Registration does not imply endorsement. Policy Board Tom Trimm, Esq. Denis McCarthy James Valeriano, M.D. President Karin A.Vanek Team Aiden came out in full force for the 19th annual Pittsburgh Pirates Fun Run/Walk last year. Justin Yakovac Claudio F. Abreu, Ph.D. Sharon Aulicino Board of Governors Dick Barton Douglas Dick Joyce Bender Steve Morris Louis Catalano, M.D. Rich Ryan Fun Run/Walks All Tom Chakurda Advisory Board James D. Chiafullo Barbara Johanson Patricia Crumrine, M.D. Bobbie Martha Eugene DeFrank C. James Parks Kristin Lesker Eisel Across the State! Ronald Rohm Julie Faneca James Valeriano, M.D. The EFWCP is gearing up for another busy summer of fun run/walks all across Steve Greenberg George Whitmer George Harakal the state, and we need your help. As you can see from the front cover, we are Scott Heeter Professional Advisory John Hinds Board ecstatic to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Pittsburgh Pirates Fun Judge Maureen Lally-Green David Adelson, M.D. Run/Walk on June 21st, but we are also getting ready for the 5th annual Erie Carole Lane Jill Bischoff, CRNP SeaWolves Fun Run/Walk and the 6th annual Harrisburg Senators Fun Run/Walk. Lawrence Leventon, Esq. Jane Breck, M.D. Edward Little Patricia Crumrine, M.D. It is never too early to form a team for any one of these fun run/walks and ask your Theresa MacLean Kevin Kelly, M.D., Ph.D. family, friends, co-workers and neighbors to contribute to your efforts. There will Grant Mellon Carole Lane Robert Moorehead William McGhee, Pharm. D. once again be awesome prizes for the top three fundraising teams at each event, Paul Nemiroff, Ph.D., M.D., Fran Meyers, D.O. and individual fundraisers will earn great gifts too! F.A.C.S. Donald Middleton, M.D. James H. Norris, Esq. Mark Scheuer, M.D. Even if you are not able to join us in person for a Run/Walk, you can Dan Orie Carol J. Schramke, Ph.D. become a Virtual Walker, and even form a Virtual team. As a Virtual Walker you Donn Patton James Valeriano, M.D. Lou Testoni Anne C. Van Cott, M.D. can walk in your own community on or before the date of the scheduled event. Rajiv Varma, M.D. You are still eligible to win all of the prizes and receive recognition for your hard work as long as you inform our office of your efforts. STAFF These walks are an integral part in supporting the programs offered Judith K. Painter Mary Grattan Executive Director Regional Coordinator, throughout the year, but they are also a wonderful opportunity to raise South Central PA Peggy Beem-Jelley awareness of epilepsy/seizure disorders while having a great time with family Associate Director Gretchen Knaub and friends! Last summer Regional Coordinator, Kayla Brickell Central PA over 2,500 of you came Special Events Coordinator PattI McVey out to support a Susan Edmonds Education Coordinator Run/Walk in your area, Regional Coordinator, Northwest PA Francine Reyher and with your help we Adult Services Coordinator Ricki Eggers hope to make that Information Management Jesanne Wagner number even greater this Coordinator Community Outreach & Events Coordinator, year. See you at a Colleen K. Fulkerson Central PA Special Events Coordinator Run/Walk! Kate Wilson Lynne Gensamer Children & Family Financial and Benefits Services Coordinator Administrator Interaction is published quarterly by the Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central Pennsylvania (EFWCP). We welcome your feedback. Questions, comments, letters to EFWCP staff member Gretchen the editor, story ideas, articles, poems, photography or art submissions should be addressed to Interaction Editor, c/o EFWCP, 1501 Reedsdale Strret, Suite 3002, Knaub poses with The Rascal and Pittsburgh, PA 15233; 1-800-361-5885, 412-322-5880, 412-322-7885 (Fax), walkers during last year’s www.efwp.org or for the hearing impaired TDD EOP/AUX AID 1-800-855-2880. Harrisburg Senators Fun Run/Walk. 2 Interaction A Note of inside this issue 2 Statewide Fun Run/Walks With three run/walks this summer, there Welcome is bound to be one close to you, dust off those tennis shoes and come support the from the Executive Director EFWCP as we make every step count! 5 Kids Speak Up! Dear Friends, Drew Woods and Hunter Fritschie shared their stories of living with epilepsy on Capital Hill last month, This summer brings new beginnings and exciting adventures here at the and now they share them with us. Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central PA. We will once again be asking the whole family to dust off those tennis shoes Parent Support Groups for the fun run/walks throughout the state. This year is the 20th anniversary for Come out for one of the six groups around the Pittsburgh area and meet the Pittsburgh Pirates Fun Run/Walk and we have a lot in store to celebrate this other parents who are experiencing the momentous occasion on Saturday, June 21 at PNC Park. During the Run/Walk same issues you are. we will be launching our new awareness campaign created by MARC USA. This 6 New Youth Council Forming is sure to be an event that cannot be missed. in Western/Central PA We will also be holding the 5th annual Erie SeaWolves Fun Run/Walk at We catch up with Bridget Green to talk Jerry Uht Park on Saturday, August 2 and the 6th annual Harrisburg Senators about the National Epilepsy Foundation’s Fun Run/Walk on City Island on Saturday, August 9. These Run/Walks are a Youth Council and why area youths should be excited to join the EFWCP’s wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and funds while having a great time new Youth Council. with family and friends. Please join us as we make every step count toward epilepsy. 7 Teen Getaway For the third year in a row, Camp Frog will be leaping into action during Teens with epilepsy and their friends once again had a great weekend at two different weeks! The first will take place at Camp Conrad Weiser, near Camp Allegheny! Reading, June 22 – 28 and the second will be held at Camp Fitch, near Erie, July EFWCP Begins New 6 – 12. We are very excited for the opportunity to once again take our young Employment Program people with epilepsy/seizure disorders on this week long adventure full of Need employment assistance? Then this outdoor activities such as swimming, horseback riding, wall climbing, and most program is for you! importantly relationship building. 8 Ladies and Gentleman, We are very excited for all of the great family outings the EFWCP will be Boys and Girls... holding this summer, and we hope that you and your family will be able to join The 13th annual Westmoreland County in on the fun. Not only do they offer a great day of fun, they are a wonderful Sports Dinner and Auction was a opportunity to meet other people with epilepsy/seizure disorders and support fabulous night at the circus! our mission of helping you live all of life’s experiences without compromise. So 9 Calendar of Events please come out and support a Run/Walk or family adventure in your area this summer! Expressions of Courage Art contest for anyone diagnosed with Best wishes, epilepsy/seizure disorder announces the entry deadline. 10 Who Says A Woman Can’t Be King? Judith K. Painter 14th Annual Mardi Gras Gala an Judy Painter amazing success! Executive Director EFWCP Welcomes New Board President! This past February, the EFWCP welcomed a new Board President, Denis McCarthy. Denis, who is President of Fluid Power Resources, LLC, has served on the Board of Directors for the past 14 years. We are very excited for all of the great work that is sure to come under Denis’ tenure. Denis replaces former president, Louis Testoni; Lou served as Board President for eight years and was an integral part of the foundation’s growth during that time, for which we are Former Board President Lou Testoni “passes the extremely grateful. Thank you Lou and welcome Denis! gavel” to new Board President Denis McCarthy. www.efwp.org 3 rew Woods of Fox Chapel and Hunter Fritschie of Verona traveled to Washington, D.C., March 30 – April 1 toD tell lawmakers about their experiences with epilepsy as part of the National Epilepsy Foundation’s Kids Speak Up! Drew, 12, and Hunter, 7, were two of 51 youths from across the country picked to participate in Kids Speak Up!, a national program coordinated by the Epilepsy Foundation and funded by Abbott Laboratories. The program rallies Drew and Ellen Woods were excited to get to Capitol Hill so Drew could share young ambassadors with epilepsy his personal story with legislatures.