Annual Epilepsy Walk In Hollywood To Be Held This Weekend - The Walk Is The Largest Local Event That Raises Awareness And Funds For Individuals Living With Epilepsy

The Hollywood Walk the Talk for Epilepsy, sponsored by UCB, Aquestive, Memorial Neuroscience Institute, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Assertio, Holman Enterprise, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, The Salah Foundation and Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, will feature a two-mile walk and family-friendly entertainment, including a live DJ, face painting and special appearances by Star Wars characters.

"Epilepsy makes daily life a difficult journey for many individuals," said Karen Basha Egozi, President and CEO of Epilepsy Alliance Florida. "This event, which unites us as one, highlights the essential support we provide to over 500,000 Floridians affected by Epilepsy and helps to shine a light on the importance of awareness in our local communities."

Ten-year-old Mauro Gomez will be honored at the event with Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s Clayton Feig Youth Award, an award commemorating youth who battle seizures and that highlights the important work of those dedicated to removing the stigma associated with Epilepsy. The award was established in memory of Clayton Feig, a young man who demonstrated courage and strength of character while dealing with epilepsy. Complications from Epilepsy claimed Clayton’s life in 1993 when he was just 18-years-old.

Diagnosed last year after experiencing nocturnal seizures, seizures that occur during sleep, Mauro has refused to let epilepsy define him. Mauro’s commitment to raising Epilepsy awareness has already taken him to Tallahassee for Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s Capitol Day, where he met with state legislators in February to share his story and emphasize the need for greater resources and funding for those living with Epilepsy. His advocacy extends beyond Florida’s Capitol. He has expressed interest in starting an Epilepsy club at his school to help educate his peers and foster a more supportive environment. Additionally, he and his family are dedicated participants in Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s annual Walk the Talk for Epilepsy in Hollywood.

Epilepsy, a neurological disease that one in 26 people will be diagnosed with at some point in their lives, is a diagnosis given when a person experiences two or more seizures that cannot be attributed to another cause. It is a disorder more people live with than Autism, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Cerebral Palsy—combined. In the United States, Florida is the state with the most instances of epilepsy.

The Hollywood Walk the Talk for Epilepsy is one of seven walks hosted by Epilepsy Alliance Florida across the state. The other cities where walks will be held are Jacksonville, Gainesville, West Palm Beach, Pensacola, Miami, and Naples. For more information and to register, visit: https://walkthetalkfl.org/

Epilepsy Alliance Florida, established in 1971 as a Not-For-Profit 501 (c)(3), is dedicated to supporting those impacted by Epilepsy by confronting the spectrum of challenges created by seizures. It is a founding member of the Epilepsy Alliance America. Epilepsy Alliance Florida provides numerous services to individuals and families, including advocacy and counseling, education and prevention, direct medical and neuropsychological services, as well as other programs regardless of financial situation or socioeconomic status.

For more information, visit: https://epilepsyalliancefl.org/