9th Annual Epilepsy Walk & Purple Picnic Scheduled for Saturday, May 16

Hundreds of walkers, families, friends, volunteers and supporters will come together Saturday, May 16, at Cove Island Park in Stamford, Connecticut, for the 9th annual Epilepsy Walk & Purple Picnic to support the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut.

The event will feature guest speaker Chanda Gunn, Olympic bronze medalist, former Team USA women’s ice hockey goaltender, Hall of Fame athlete and epilepsy advocate. Gunn was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 9 and went on to help Team USA win a bronze medal at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games and a gold medal at the 2005 World Championships. She also was recognized as the top goaltender of the 2005 World Championships and has received honors including the NCAA Sportsmanship Award, Honda Inspiration Award and College Hockey Humanitarian Award.

Another special guest will be Dr. Adithya Sivaraju, an epileptologist and clinical neurophysiologist, who also is an assistant professor of neurology at Yale School of Medicine, director, Epilepsy Fellowship, and director, Post Acute Symptomatic Seizure (PASS) Clinic.

The walk is co-chaired by Greenwich, Connecticut, residents Danielle Blaine and Gabrielle “Gabi” Blaine, a mother-daughter team who have volunteered with the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut for 15 years. Gabi Blaine, now 28, was diagnosed with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy as she entered high school and has become a passionate advocate for individuals and families navigating a new epilepsy diagnosis.

The 9th annual Epilepsy Walk & Purple Picnic will bring the community together for a morning of awareness, support and connection. The event includes a walk through Cove Island Park, inspiring speakers, activities for children and a Purple Picnic with boxed lunches provided. Purple is the advocacy color for epilepsy. The walk is dog-friendly, and attendees are encouraged to bring friendly, furry family members.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures caused by sudden bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which can manifest as staring spells, uncontrolled movements, loss of consciousness or temporary confusion.

Epilepsy impacts more than 60,000 children and adults in Connecticut. One in 26 nationwide will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime. Epilepsy affects more Americans than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease combined. Despite advances in treatment, more than 30% of individuals continue to experience uncontrolled seizures even while on medication.

Those interested in participating in the Walk may register in advance at epilepsyct.com or in person Saturday morning at Cove Island Park.

Saturday, May 16 - 9th annual Epilepsy Walk & Purple Picnic
Cove Island Park - 9 a.m., on-site Registration
1125 Cove Road
Stamford, CT 06902

The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut (EFCT) is an affiliate of the Nationwide Epilepsy Foundation and is a state-wide, nonprofit charitable agency dedicated to helping to improve the quality of life for those affected by epilepsy and their loved ones. To learn more, visit epilepsyct.com.