Today’s sponsor is my friend, Jana Knapp. She asked me to promote the Mardi Gras Gala for the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona, coming up on March 5, 2011. Jana became passionate about epilepsy awareness when her nephew was diagnosed with it when he was only nine months old.
There’s no cure for epilepsy. Since it is a neurological problem, its effect on each person is unique. Some people can manage it with drugs; others will grow out of it; and for others, it will be something they deal with every day of their lives.
There isn’t enough money to properly train EMTs, police officers, school nurses, and even doctors to properly treat a person after a silent seizure. Children are often misdiagnosed with ADD and seizures are mistaken for strokes in the elderly. Veterans do not have the necessary care for their traumatic brain injuries.
Until there is a cure, the best thing we can do is to be knowledgeable and compassionate towards people living with this illness. The Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona has the programs to help accomplish this goal, but they need funding.
The Mardi Gras Gala on March 5th is the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona’s annual black-tie fundraiser. It will be a delightful evening, held at The Venue Scottsdale. The evening will feature national recording sensation Katrina Shoen Carlson, magicians, stilt walkers, gambling, and Cajun cuisine.
This year the Foundation will be crowning Colonel Joey Strickland, Director of the Arizona Department of Veteran Services as their King of Mardi Gras. Colonel Strickland is being honored for his work to develop and implement the Foundation’s Operation Outreach program for veterans with traumatic brain injury. These soldiers are at an increased risk of developing epilepsy.
The Foundation needs more silent auction items to make the night more magical, including gift certificates, gift baskets, or cash to purchase auction items.
If you want to attend the event, tickets are as followed:
- Individual: $200
- Private Table: $1000
- Corporate Table: $2500
Even if you cannot attend, please consider making a donation to the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona so that they can continue to provide the necessary education on epilepsy and to promote compassion for those living with this condition.
Sponsor A Law Kid is my endeavor to pay for my last semester of law school. Today’s sponsor is Jana Knapp on behalf of the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona.  For more information about Sponsor A Law Kid or to see what days are still available for sponsorship, visit my Sponsor A Law Kid page.
Related articles
- Epilepsy Basics – Causes, Diagnosis, and Prevention (everydayhealth.com)
- What to do if you see someone having a seizure: NetWellness (cleveland.com)