Angels4Epilepsy

125 TG Bears' Hernando's in the Making

2012-01-20T18:44:00.001-07:00

Our fearless Mama Bear is busy hand making 125 Hernando's for Angels4Epilepsy deliveries. These unique hand made bears are just too adorable! Adorned with purple ribbons which is the color for epilepsy, these little fellows will be delivered to children in hospitals in Indiana, Ohio and Georgia.

We are happy to have been able to partner with TG Bears for this wonderful endeavor sponsored by the Pepsi Refresh Project!

Update: Mama Bear has been busy hand making our cute little mascot bears that will be delivered on Purple Day! I think they are having fun judging by their pose! Each bear is hand made with movable arms and legs. Truly adorable bears that will go to adorable children with epilepsy.

Thank you, TG Bears and Pepsi!

MCG Children's Hospital of Georgia Delivery at Christmas 2011

2012-01-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

Our Christmas deliver in Georgia was done by April, Cody and Elizabeth. Mini Pillow Pets with animals were delivered to the children this past Christmas thanks to our Pepsi Refresh Grant!

Medical Alert Bracelets to Epilepsy Foundation of Florida

2012-01-20T18:09:00.001-07:00

Thanks to our Pepsi Refresh Grant, we were able to deliver 410 USB medical alert bracelets to the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida to be passed out to their clients in need. We were very happy to provide this service to the people of Florida with epilepsy.

We will deliver another 400~ around February or March.

Peyton Manning Children's Hospital & Riley Children's Hospital Christmas Delivery 2011

2012-01-20T18:05:00.002-07:00

On behalf of our Pepsi Refresh Grant money and wonderful volunteer, Stacey Burns and her family and friends, the children at Riley Children's Hospital and St. Vincent's Peyton Manning Children's Hospital received gift bags full of many items this past Christmas!

Here are just some of the pictures:

Epilepsy Foundation of Florida Walk the Talk

2012-01-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida is near and dear to our hearts. We have a great working relationship with them mostly because they reached out to us and ever since, we have supported one another. I was not only drawn to them due to the remarkable efforts of Heather Steele but also due to how effective they are at epilepsy awareness and support. Angels4Epilepsy has donated a large set of medical alert bracelets to their clients thanks to the Pepsi Refresh Grant in 2011 and will again in 2012. We value their efforts and want to support them all the way.

As they gear up for the Walk the Talk event, we want to reach out to our readers and request they make any sized donation to team Seizure Later. If you have epilepsy, you understand the implications being diagnosed with epilepsy can be and saying goodbye to seizures is a much blessed event. Unfortunately, not everyone with epilepsy can have a good control plan and suffer from seizures all the time. Jamie was one of the fortunate ones in that her epilepsy was diagnosed right after she turned five and now at age eight, her epilepsy is managed with Keppra. In fact, she's due for an EEG which will determine if her neurologist will try to wean her off Keppra to see if her type of epilepsy is gone. She's lucky also in that her type of epilepsy, Benign Rolandic, typically goes away around or after puberty. Even if her epilepsy does, we do not want to relinquish our responsibility to reach out and help others with epilepsy as well as raise awareness.

Please take a moment and help Heather raise the funds for her team Seizure Later. Even if it's just a $1! Every bit helps and helps another person with epilepsy.

Thank you and don't forget to look at the picture on the fund wall ... it's Jamie!

Sponsor Team Seizure Later here.

Congratulations to Our Own April!

2011-12-31T00:40:00.002-07:00

TG Bears is an online store that sells beautiful, adorable handmade teddy bears. There are so many to choose from with each having their own personality and more. They are unique bears in that they are handmade by a very special person. Monica is the "mom" to all these cuties and she sends them out with love. We were happy to participate in this great feature TG Bears has which is to nominate and recognize a person in your life. The winner receives one of those must have teddy bears! I nominated my oldest and Jamie's sister, April.

April does so many things to help Angels4Epilepsy from helping to purchase items for gift bags, stuffing gift bags and delivering them. This past summer, April started making tutus to sell in which all profits went back to Angels4Epilepsy. She goes the extra mile to do whatever she can to help grow Angels4Epilepsy and ensure we continue to bring smiles to children. She has always been instrumental in our two wins for Pepsi Grants and without all her love, support and commitment, we wouldn't be who we are today.

With special gratitude, I wish to thank April!

Special Thanks to All in 2011

2011-12-24T17:28:00.000-07:00

Raising Money for Angels4Epilepsy Through Princess Power

2011-12-17T18:19:00.000-07:00

You can purchase different tutus to help support Angels4Epilepsy at our very own shop. All profits made from each sale goes directly to Jamie's non-profit. In the month of December, Angels4Epilepsy volunteers, Stacey and Ruthie, have delivered to children's hospitals in Indiana and Ohio and we couldn't be more happy! All gift bags are delivered to the hospitals with no restrictions so any child hospitalized at the time of delivery, will receive a bag (limited quantities).

Delivery to Dayton Children's Hospital (Ohio)

2011-12-16T08:57:00.002-07:00

A very big thank you to our Ohio volunteer, Ruth, who delivered these gift bags to both the very little ones and teens (other picture of their bag not shown)! Ruth provided some of her own funding, donations of bags from 4imprint.com, money earned from selling LaRosa's Buddy Cards and funds we received from the Pepsi Grant to make this delivery possible.

A very big thank you to all the sponsors and Ruth for providing happiness and smiles to children hospitalized this Christmas!

Angels4Epilepsy Getting Ready for Christmas Deliveries

2011-12-01T11:12:00.001-07:00

We started getting ready for our Christmas deliveries with our new Angels4Epilepsy bags and toys compliments of the Pepsi Refresh Grant we won. We also received a generous donation from the Indianapolis Colts for our deliveries in Indiana. Our outreach this month will be Indiana, Georgia and Ohio. The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida received their first batch of medical alert USB bracelets and we cannot wait to hear more on the delivery to their clients!

Jamie and her oldest sister

Our Epilepsy Awareness Halloween Display

2011-10-31T12:27:00.003-06:00

We decorated our pumpkins for epilepsy awareness. Since November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, we wanted to kick it off in our community by introducing the subject of epilepsy. Maybe one person will go home and look up epilepsy or tell someone about our display. Every little bit helps to ensure epilepsy knowledge is more common than what it is or should be.

This Halloween, do something to show your support of epilepsy!

General Sarge & the Military Child of the Week

2011-10-11T17:06:00.000-06:00

A little while ago, Jamie was recognized as General Sarge's Military Child of the Week mostly due to her dad being deployed not too long in the past but also for her work on Angels4Epilepsy. Her sister, Danielle who is four, also helps with Angels4Epilepsy. She donates her unopened Happy Meal toys, helps to purchase toys for the gift bags and also assembles the bags for delivery. She would go and personally deliver the bags but given her immune system, I keep her out of hospitals unless it's necessary. Danielle received her General Sarge Bear for being Military Child of the Week and was very happy to receive her very own bear. She loves the American flag as well and hasn't strayed for behind both!

I'm proud of all three of my girls who all give to Angels4Epilepsy and are examples to live by! I also wanted to take this time to thank General Sarge and his volunteers such as Lynne and her husband who help. I think the program is a wonderful way to help kids through those harsh deployments.

For more information about General Sarge, the program or to even donate a bear, please read below:

It’s important that we don’t forget the children supporting their parents who are serving in the military. Many times the sacrifices of the children go forgotten. I don’t believe it’s an intentional thing, but it is a reality. Here at General Sarge HQ we want to make sure the children of those who bravely serve are also encouraged.

One of the incredible rooms we found at the Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, GA was the Family Room. The picture here is a display that’s in the room.

More Pictures from National Infantry Museum
Family Room – Click Here!

Two ways we salute our military children;

Military Child of the Week
Month of the Military Child

Indiana

2011-10-04T16:21:00.002-06:00

Stay tuned as we might be moving to Indiana so things might become a little quiet around here but we'll still be working on delivering smiles!

Hernando is Getting Ready for Halloween

2011-10-01T21:04:00.003-06:00

TG Bears' Hernando, Jamie and Danielle are already getting ready for Halloween by joining the Young Adults for Epilepsy's initiative by carving our pumpkins in a way to bring awareness to epilepsy. Now, we don't know what we'll do yet but Hernando is already thinking of ideas on what he'll be for Halloween and he's not afraid to wear a tutu.

Did you know that November is the month for epilepsy awareness? It's a great time of the year to help others understand what a devastating diagnosis this can be but it's also one that doesn't mean it has to hinder a person from making a difference. Jamie has not thought twice about her epilepsy and along the way, we have met other incredible people who have and are making a difference. So before we move to November, think about joining us in supporting the Young Adults for Epilepsy and carving a pumpkin to help raise awareness about epilepsy.

Our Pepsi Refresh Grant & TG Bears' Hernando 2 for Children with Epilepsy

2011-09-29T16:48:00.001-06:00

For those of you following Jamie and her Angels4Epilepsy, we just won the $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant and are still beyond excited! We haven't wasted anytime either moving forward with our plans. Meet Hernando 2 - this is the wonderful creation from TG Bears for Angels4Epilepsy.

We have the original Hernando that you can purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Angels4Epilepsy. Hernando 2 is part of our budget to deliver to 250 children in hospitals in various states where Angels4Epilepsy has a volunteer. These delightful bears have moving arms and legs and have Angels4Epilepsy embroidered into his paw. They are simply gorgeous and we think that it might bring a beary big smile to some children who are probably lonely, bored or scared (or all three).

We've been in the creation and approval phase and now that we have our Hernando with a purple ribbon (the color for epilepsy), we will move on to stage two once we receive our first disbursement from Pepsi. Over six months or so, we plan to deliver these furry little friends who are in need of some love and cuddles.

Also, note the Peyton Manning shirt Jamie is wearing. Being born in Indianapolis, she's a Colts and mostly a Peyton Manning fan and Angels4Epilepsy delivered to the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital in Indiana in July thanks to Angels4Epilepsy volunteer and President of Indiana, Stacey Burns.

Did you know that according to the Epilepsy Foundation, epilepsy 'affects more than 300,000 children under the age of 15--more than 90,000 of whom have seizures that cannot be adequately be treated.'

Angels4Epilepsy First Annual Kids Design It Christmas Card Contest 9/26

2011-09-11T19:34:00.000-06:00

For the first time, Angels4Epilepsy is sponsoring a Kids Design It Christmas Card contest. We want to sell Christmas cards to help provide additional funding in reaching our goal for more deliveries to children hospitalized. If your child wins, his or her design will be feature on cards that we will sell with all profit going to Angels4Epilepsy. His or her name will also be printed as the designer of the winning card.

Age Categories:

5 - 7
8 - 10
11 - 12
13 - 14
15 - 17

Details & Rules:

All designs should be drawn on 8.5" x 11" standard white paper
In order to be of high print quality, designs should be in bright colors with strong borders. Felt tip markers work best but crayons and water colors can be used too as long as colors are bright.
Pastels and chalk do not work well.
The artist should sign their art with a bold black marker.
All designs should be sent to angels4epilepsy@yahoo.com in high resolution or via mail to 6812 Toluca Drive, El Paso, TX 79912.
Names should be clearly included to ensure each artists is given full credit.
Entries must be submitted by September 26, 2011.
A panel will review each entry and will vote to select the winning entry.
Winners will be selected by October 1, 2011 and notified by e-mail.
Designs become the property of Angels4Epilepsy for further use with the artists name listed on the design. A release will be required to be signed upon finalization of the winning designs.
One entry per child.

Prizes:

One random winner from the winning designs will receive a $50 gift card to either Walmart or Amazon. All winners will receive a certificate and one card of their design.

Designs must be submitted by September 26, 2011 by midnight (Mountain Standard Time)

Special Thanks to The Root Center

2011-09-05T10:26:00.003-06:00

Jamie's $25,000 Pepsi Refresh win wouldn't have happened had it not been for three people. I know many, many people banded together to get this win for her but this particular act of generosity catapulted her to the winning circle and kept her there. Thanks to The Root Center and a very special man named Dan, we made it! This is a prime example of how paying it forward does really seek what it sows. Back in June, we ran for the grant and along the way, we voted for The Root Center. Neither of us made it but that online voting friendship transcended into votes particular with the Pepsi Power Votes that allowed us to take the win in August.

At The Root Center, was Andrew who is behind this fantastic non-profit.

About The Root Center

The Root Center is 501(c)(3) public charity registered in the state of Vermont. Our organization will create a network of community-run organic farms integrating sustainable agriculture, design, and energy. Fostering dynamic cooperation between groups and individuals, these living laboratories will cultivate year-round crops of organic produce for donation to food shelves, outreach centers, and psychiatric homes while energizing, inspiring, and strengthening the connections of our surrounding communities. We've grown over 3000 pounds of organic produce for local food shelves in 2010 on one-tenth of an acre's worth of backyard garden plots and are currently growing 25,000 pounds of produce at the National Gardening Association's Vermont Garden Park in 2011.

How it Happened:

Andrew's mom, Sue Burns, worked tirelessly with voting, securing the power vote codes and providing the codes to our band of volunteers. Now only did Sue vote but her family did as well. If it weren't for the kindness of Andrew to provide the codes he was going to use for his project, we never would have won in my opinion.

Next to all the work from Andrew, Sue and her family was a very kind man named Dan. Dan was the man (sorry had to type it) who was responsible for collecting the codes through his work. Dan continued to provide these caps all the way until the last day so without him, we wouldn't have made it either.

A very big thank you to Andrew, The Root Center, Sue, her family and Dan for all they did for Jamie!

Again, Jamie's win to bring smiles and peace of mind to parents was a collective effort on many people. It's hard to say thank you just to one or two but due to some huge efforts of some, I thought it was only appropriate to call them out for appreciation. Stay tuned for another big thank you to Jamie's Angels4Epilepsy supporters as there are many more to come!

WE Did It!

2011-09-02T21:44:00.002-06:00

Thanks to the special efforts of so many people, Jamie won the $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant! There are so many people who helped to achieve this monumental point in Angels4Epilepsy's moment of glory that I cannot begin to thank everyone. We had folks unselfishly give us their Pepsi Power Vote codes, people post on their Facebook page, Tweet on Twitter, blog about it, begged their family, friends and strangers to no end, went dumpster diving, drank Pepsi even though they normally didn't, people who lost friends on Facebook due to "bugging them" and so much more!

I can say that there is a special "village" that supports Jamie and her goals and without the collective help of everyone, this wouldn't have happened!

THANK YOU!

General Sarge Deployed a Soldier

2011-08-24T13:03:00.001-06:00

Being a military child has it's advantages in that you get to move around and check out new places but it does have disadvantages too such as you move around a lot and that means new friends and new schools. It also means enduring numerous deployments and the departure of mom, dad or both. Those times are hard for kids to be turned into a one parent household or often times, another family member takes over due to the parents' obligations in defending our freedom and those of others. Being non-military, one may not fully fathom the scope of if it all and since I was civilian most of my entire adult life, I know the difference. Military children are exceptional in that they learn to adapt to adapt to sudden changes and in many cases, long changes. There is a wonderful program to honor military children and that is through General Sarge.

What do you call a deployed teddy bear that is delivered on the door of a military child? A smile inducing hero! Jamie was the military child of the week for the week of August 10th and received her deployed soldier and you can tell by the picture, she is LOVING him! Her immediate reaction was, "hey, this looks like Dad!" and "I think I'll call him Dad when he's gone."

Thank you General Sarge for this wonderful gift!

About General Sarge's Headquarters Gift-A-Bear Campaign:

The General Sarge Gift-A-Bear Campaign
Bringing Comfort To Military Families
One Furry Friend At A Time

Our main mission at General Sarge HQ is one of encouraging military families. Losing a loved one, whether it’s a fallen hero killed in combat, or having a loved one deployed, is a difficult time. Of course we also know the comfort a teddy bear can bring too. After all, General Sarge came to life as I was personally looking for comfort when our son went to Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA and is now stationed at Fort Lewis, WA. There’s just something about a teddy bear that helps bring comfort. A furry-friend is great support.

This is where the General Sarge Gift-A-Bear Campaign comes in and this is a great opportunity for you to help General Sarge bring comfort to military families.

The Gift-A-Bear Campaign gives us the ability to provide a military Build-A-Bear to those needing comfort. Whether it’s to the families of fallen heroes, to heroes wounded in action, or to military family children, General Sarge wants to encourage military families through his furry friends.

You can support the Gift-A-Bear Campaign by making a donation.

The average cost of a military Build-A-Bear is between $35-$40. Our goal is to have available funds ready so when the need arises we can readily provide a Gift-A-Bear to a military family.

To learn more or make a donation, please visit General Sarge here.

Kids CAN Make a Difference

2011-08-22T22:09:00.000-06:00

If you have been on this site before, you know that Angels4Epilepsy is a 501c3 started in 2010 by now eight years old Jamie. Jamie was diagnosed with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy or BRE as it's called. BRE is diagnosed when they can't find a reason for the sudden onset of seizures, the seizure type and the results of an EEG. Jamie is lucky you see and you might be puzzled to wonder how I can say my child is lucky to have epilepsy. She IS lucky in that BRE typically will go away around puberty. For those of you that don't know about epilepsy, there are many forms or epilepsy and many types of seizures. It's a devastating condition that can also cause death which is also referred to as SUDEP because it's sudden death that is unexplained among those with epilepsy. I learned more than I ever wanted to know about epilepsy but I accepted it early as there was nothing else to do but to fight it.

We went through all the trials and tribulations of finding the right medication and it's a tedious experience. As a parent, you live in fear of every seizure and you carry around the rescue med as if it were your wallet. You don't leave home without it. You fear sleep because you want to be there in case a seizure starts and in some cases, seizures increase during sleep just like Jamie's type. Every stirring of the night causes you to jerk up and check to make sure everything is okay. It's definitely an experience and then when you add another child with her own different chronic medical conditions, you start to feel like Dr. Welby (if anyone remembers him). My long introduction leads into the rational behind this post which is Kids CAN Make a Difference.

Jamie is the first notation as she started Angels4Epilepsy to help children hospitalized. Even though the focus in on epilepsy, we don't restrict a hospital in delivering to any child. When we started this in 2010, we had no idea it would grown. We entered the Pepsi Refresh contest in August a year ago and that is about the same time, I was re-connected with my cousin, Ruthie. It just so happened to be the date of a boat race in Ohio where they reside. Ruthie's children, Eli, Maddie and Hannah volunteered their time and went above and beyond with raising awareness for Angels4Epilepsy and Jamie's entry with the Pepsi Refresh project. Ruthie and her husband Jeff also participated in raising awareness for Jamie's cause. This year was no different because I, insanely, decided to run again but this time for $25,000. Once again, my cousin and her family jumped to help! This is more than just family helping family as these are children eagerly helping children.

This past weekend, Eli and Maddie, twins, raced boats in the 2011 19th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta New Richmond Riverdays. Eli even went so far as to paint his boat with purple trim in support of epilepsy and had Angels4Epilepsy painted on it. Eli won and Maddie came in second in her race! Not only did they pass out flyers, wear t-shirts with the text information made by Ruthie but they had buttons on. They encouraged others to vote and the most important thing they accomplished was to raise more awareness about epilepsy! Ruthie's oldest, Hannah, Eli and Maddie along with their dad, Jeff are all walking in the Cincinnati Walks for Kids under the name of Team Angels4Epilepsy in the fall.

There is nothing more special than children helping one another for good causes. It's amazing the will and desire children have and to see these children living their young lives giving back, it really is heart warming.

Special thanks to Ruthie, Jeff, Hannah, Eli and Maddie!

My So Called Homeschool Life Awesome Kids Award: Danielle's Turn

2011-08-22T21:32:00.001-06:00

Jamie gets all the attention and I've overlooked Danielle's contribution to Angels4Epilepsy. Danielle, who is four, is Jamie's younger sister and help with saving her Happy Meal toys, filling up the gift bags and delivering when we take care of the delivery. My wonderful cousin took a moment to celebrate Danielle:

Awesome Kid Award

Danielle B.

My So Called Homeschool Life would like to recognize Danielle as an AWESOME KID and award her with a Disney Princess Prize Pack.

Danielle with her sister

Danielle is a spunky, pint-sized 4 year old with a heart as big as Texas. While her older sister has been busy with Angels4Epilepsy, Danielle has been right by her side helping to fill gift bags, making deliveries, and even going so far as to offer her own Happy Meal toys as bag fillers.

She is always ready with a smile that touches the heart!

Danielle has severe pulmonary/allergy issues and was diagnosed just two weeks after her older sister was diagnosed with epilepsy. She is on several medications a day and has endured many hospitalizations due to her condition. She is such a trooper!

To read the full post, just click on My So Called Homeschool Life.

Thank you, Ruthie for awarding Danielle such honors! When she wakes up, I'll show her!

Please Keep Voting

2011-08-22T16:22:00.003-06:00

Please continue to vote and share to ensure Jamie wins $25,000 from Pepsi! She's doing great thanks to the great support of so many who are voting, sharing and giving us Pepsi Power Vote caps. We could never have gone as far as we have without the great support of everyone!

We wanted to thank those that are also supporting our partner causes such as Ruthie, Stacey, Heather, Svend, April, Jean and many others.

We want to send a very special thank you to Sue and Andrew as without the support from The Root Center, we wouldn't be anywhere near where we are!

Thank you so much Andrew and Sue!

Voting ends at 11:59 pm on August 31st (eastern standard time)!

Day 168: Military Child of the Week - Jamie!

2011-08-15T08:57:00.001-06:00

Day 168: Military Child of the Week

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Dr. Rus

Military Child of the Week – August 15, 2011

It’s time for another Military Child of the Week Salute! Please let your military friends know about this salute and be sure to make nominations! Every Monday we salute one military child. The name of the child goes into a year end drawing for an opportunity to win their very own General Sarge Military Build-A-Bear through the Gift-A-Bear Campaign.

Military Child of the Week Nominations – Click Here!

Today we salute Jamie Bacigalupo as our
Military Child of the Week.

Image by drrus2000 via Flickr

Jamie, along with her family are stationed at Ft. Bliss, Texas, home to the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School and four combat ADA brigades. Jamie’s Dad, James E. Bacigalupo, IV, is a Chief Warrant Officer with the 204th Military Intelligence Battalion and returned from a year of deployment from Kuwait in May of this year. This is a picture of Jamie, her Dad and her little sister.

Jamie’s Mom writes;

“I’m nominating Jamie for the Military Child of the Week Salute given her time and commitment she is providing for her non-profit Angels4Epilepsy, Inc. which was granted 501c3 status by the IRS this year. Jamie, who was diagnosed with epilepsy two years ago, hasn’t let the condition stop her. Rather it has inspired her to help other children with epilepsy by doing good deeds. Since 2010, when she first formed Angels4Epilepsy, she has delivered over 200 gift bags to children in Georgia and with the help of volunteers, in Florida and Indiana. Her gift bags contain items for the children hospitalized to have something to do while trying to raise awareness about kids and epilepsy.

“Jamie won a $5,000 grant in August of 2010 to help form the corporation and has been aKohls Cares for Kids local and regional winner this year due to her efforts in helping other children. Both Jamie and her sister, who also has a chronic condition, understand how being in the hospital can be boring and scary and through their efforts, try to help alleviate some of that. Most of the work has been done while their Dad has been on two deployments over the past three years. Since arriving at Ft. Bliss in May of this year, we are working on a delivery to the local children’s hospital in El Paso.”

Help Jamie With The Pepsi Refresh Grant

Image via Wikipedia

Jamie is currently vying for a $25,000Pepsi Refresh Grant which will be used to buy USB medical alert bracelets for children, cuddly TG Bears for hospitalized children and many other items. She needs to stay in the top 15. Voting is daily and can be done via a Facebook page, registering online with Pepsi and texting 107962 to 73774 (Pepsi) – standard texting rates apply. For those that drink Pepsi, specially marked bottles and cartons contain a special Power Vote code which can also be used to add extra votes to her cause.

Vote For Jamie’s Pepsi Refresh Grant Here!

Angels4Epilepsy Website – Click Here!

From all of us here at General Sarge HQ we say well done Jamie and we give you a great big “Two paws up!” You are an inspiration to many and we applaud you for all your hard work. As our way of saying thanks for being a great Military Child we also want to salute you in a special way for your unselfish giving nature too. As a result of a generous donation of bears to the Gift-A-Bear Campaign, be watching for your very own General Sarge Military Build-A-Bear arriving at your home soon.

Remember, it’s easy to nominate a military child for our weekly Military Child of the Week Salute.

Click Here And Fill Out The Contact Information!

Each child that’s nominated has an opportunity to win their very own Military Build-A-Bear at the end of the year. When filling out the Contact Form please be sure to check the box “Military Child of the Week Nomination”.

Staying Army Strong!
Dr. Rus

Thank you, Dr. Rus!!!

Ronald McDonald House of Augusta Recognizes Jamie's Contribution

2011-08-13T19:12:00.001-06:00

There is nothing like unexpected gratitude in the form of something tangible for a little one to see. Jamie is still a bit unsure about all that she gets back from her Angels4Epilepsy as it's never crossed her mind to get something in return for doing something good. She is slowly learning to accept gratitude but it's a slow road to go. Yesterday, she received the Kohl's Cares for Kids Scholarship poster and today, she received the Ronald McDonald House of Augusta's periodic newsletter and there was Angels4Epilepsy!.

Thanks to the staff at the Ronald McDonald House for recognizing Jamie. We try different avenues to giving donations whether it's a food pantry a hospital or somewhere else. We don't limit our donations to children with epilepsy only as we do want to provide smiles to more although we do focus on children and epilepsy.

Jamie Received Kohls Cares for Kids Winner Poster

2011-08-12T23:58:00.001-06:00

Jamie's Kohl's Cares for Kid's Regional Winner Poster

I finally saw some excitement from Jamie when in the mail, came a very suspicious poster (flat) shaped mailer. I had no idea what it could be and then I saw Jamie's name on it and then I saw Kohls and couldn't wait to see what it was. I nominated Jamie for the Kohl's Cares for Kids scholarship program and was so unexpectedly delighted to find out she won the local nomination for Evans, Georgia in June. Then, immediately after, we learned she won the regional nomination! She won a $50 gift card and a $1000 scholarship! I think the poster she just received meant more than anything to her and it was so wonderful to see her spark reappear. For the first time, she asked me what number she was in the Pepsi Refresh contest.

I can honestly say that I'm in awe at watching her change through the years. To see this vibrant young girl be reduced to the hindrances of epilepsy to seeing her resurrection again. It's been such a joy to see her vibrance slowly emerge post the epilepsy diagnosis. As time has moved forward, three year's later, she's coming back to me and her self confidence is building. She may not realize it now but Angels4Epilepsy will be the beginning of something very special to her. Her being diagnosed with epilepsy was a hidden blessing in that her purpose was to help others. I am one of the lucky ones in that Jamie's epilepsy is controlled and might go away with puberty. I count my blessings in understanding that other parents have it far worse. Epilepsy is unknown to the general population and to the person or family who has it, it can be a nightmare. I truly hope that with Jamie's activities, she continues to bring smiles and awareness to what can be such a devastating condition.

The Sacred Disease: Epilepsy

2011-08-09T15:11:00.000-06:00

Check out this great story about epilepsy (the sacred disease) by Angels4Epilepsy Pepsi partner, Uptown Troy Community Harvest Festival.

The Sacred Disease

When I was about 14 I witnessed an epileptic seizure while waiting for a bus. One of the men suddenly convulsed, fell to the ground and began to foam at the mouth. Fortunately someone there knew what to do, sticking something in his mouth to prevent him from swallowing his tongue. Within moments, his shaking stopped and all that remained of the episode itself was the nasty bump on his head where it had hit the concrete sidewalk. It was a frightening experience.

The ancients referred to Epilepsy as the Sacred Disease believing that seizures were either attempts by demons to possess humans or a means of punishment inflicted by the gods. Given the limited knowledge of the human body at the time, it is understandable why they held such beliefs. Hippocrates, the father of western medicine, believed otherwise. He held that there was nothing sacred about the seizures and that there manifestations were purely psychiological in nature. He worked to remove the stigma just as the Epilepsy Foundation works today to do the same.

Approximately 125,000 people here in the US are diagnosed annually with Epilepsy. It is not a single disorder but rather a syndrome with vastly different degrees of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Although most common in children and the elderly, it can occur to anyone at anytime. Some people with Epilepsy will simply stare blankly for a few seconds while others will suffer grand mal seizures. In most cases, Epilepsy is controlled with medications. Although a diagnosis of Epilepsy may prevent a person from driving or operating heavy machinery, it shouldn't prevent them from participating in life.

Bud Abbott, Danny Glover & Ward Bond each suffered from recurring seizures yet had fulfilling acting careers. Neil Young, Lindsey Buckingham and Prince too are epileptics. I recently met a 10 year old boy who said he couldn't play baseball because of his Epilepsy. Well, it didn't stop Grover Cleveland Alexander, Buddy Bell or Tony Lazzeri from playing so I don't see why it should stop him.

Along with the Uptown Troy Community Harvest Festival, please continue to support my partners atAngels4Epilepsy and Nicholson Heritage Association as together we vie for Refresh Everything grant funding. Voting is open till August 31. Cap Collection Centers have been opened at Smokers Choice in the Troy Plaza, High Maintenance, Low Budget Consignment Shop and all The ARC of Rensselaer County locations.

To read more about Uptown Troy Community Harvest Festival, click here.

Thank you Peggy!

Angels4Epilepsy Thank You Letter from Riley & IU

2011-08-06T16:22:00.001-06:00

Angels4Epilepsy, volunteer President of Indiana, Stacey Burns, received a special thank you letter from The Cheer Guild of Riley Hospital for Children and Indiana University Hospital, Inc. for the wonderful donation bags full of toys and more fun things!

Thank you Stacey and Sarah for delivering to Riley & Peyton Manning Children's Hospital!

Vote to Help Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood Foundation

2011-08-06T09:52:00.001-06:00

Please help and vote for this great children's charity:

Please Vote AGAIN for Jamie to Win $25000!

2011-08-01T10:23:00.004-06:00

Voting is daily via the link below, Facebook and texting your vote. When you vote, hit the refresh button to ensure the vote registered as Pepsi has trouble with that. Please vote daily and share this with your friends and family. If you drink Pepsi, those extra votes are worth GOLD!

Text* 107962 to Pepsi (73774) to vote from your mobile.

*Standard text messaging rates

Vote please!

Texas is Our Next Delivery

2011-07-30T19:24:00.001-06:00

Started and made first deliveries in Georgia and then Florida in 2010

Delivered in Georgia and now Indiana in 2011

Texas is our next stop!

Angels4Epilepsy Delivers in Indiana

2011-07-30T19:07:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Stacey Burns in Indiana who started her own epilepsy support group and her friend, Sarah Brown, Angels4Epilepsy, Inc., has completed the goal of delivering to Indiana. I am especially excited because one of the hospitals is the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital (cheer!)! I'm a huge Peyton fan so this is AMAZING for me! Riley Children's Hospital was the other hospital. Both hospitals received 18 bags each and had additional information from other sources.

The ONE and ONLY ... Peyton!

Sarah

Stacey

Thank you Stacey and Sarah and everyone else who made the delivery to Indiana possible.

Benign Rolandic Epilepsy & Our Hunt for Keppra

2011-07-20T22:06:00.003-06:00

Jamie has a type of epilepsy called *Benign Rolandic epilepsy (also known as benign partial epilepsy of childhood) which accounts for more than one-third of all cases of epilepsy that begin in middle childhood. Although there is a family history in 18 percent of cases and the condition is probably genetically determined, no one in our family has any type of epilepsy.

Rolandic epilepsy is the most common type of benign partial epilepsy. Seizures start as simple partial, usually beginning in the face. There may be drooling and temporary inability to speak, although consciousness is preserved. The seizures then generalize to tonic-clonic convulsions.

Most of the seizures are nocturnal and occur during sleep. Neurological and other functioning is usually normal, while the EEG shows a dramatic focal spike most often in the centrotemporal regions of the brain. Most children are seizure free five years after onset; by age 14, 95 percent will have undergone permanent remission.

This is really good news as I had no idea how hard it would be to refill her Keppra until we moved to Texas. The first pharmacy, Walgreens, didn't refill my script and after calling a few times, found out that the insurance declined it and that was that. No follow up. No phone call. Nothing. I did get a half hearted apology. I contacted my insurance company, which the pharmacy should have done, and she authorized the refill. I transferred the script to Walmart because I just didn't like how I was treated and when you have epilepsy, you can't mess with the medication as the dosing has to be precise and on time. I dropped it off two days ago and went to pick it up today and was informed that it was back ordered. Again, I inquired as to why no contact was made and explained how critical it is for an epileptic to not run out. They checked into the details and told me it would be in today at 3:00. I received a phone call around 1:00 and it's still out of stock. They will try again to order and if not received tomorrow, they will send the script back to Walgreens.

I had no idea how difficult it would be to get a script filled here. Getting the neurology appointment was also like jumping through hoops. This is WHY it's important to educate and make epilepsy known to others. Epilepsy is not something to mess with and when it comes to those that respond to medications, those medications have to be routine with no gaps in dosage as it could mean the difference between a seizure and death.

* Thanks to the Epilepsy Foundation for the information.

Please Send Pepsi Power Vote Codes

2011-07-20T21:55:00.001-06:00

Jamie is running for a Pepsi Grant next month and we need those Pepsi Power Vote Codes in specially marked bottles and cases.

Here is what they look like:

Please send those to us all of July and August so she can help her Angels4Epilepsy, Inc., provide gift cards to low income children to purchase USB medical alert bracelets.

Thank you!

Meet Angels4Epilepsy's Mascot Hernando by TG Bears

2011-07-19T17:48:00.000-06:00

Everyone needs a mascot right? I thought so at least and what better one than a cute cuddly teddy bear as kids love them! So without further ado, here is Hernando:

He's a hit in our home and thanks to the beautiful craftsmanship from TG Bears, you can own one too with some proceeds benefiting Angels4Epilepsy and it is a tax deductible since we are a 501c3. Send me an e-mail at angels4epilepsy@yahoo.com to place an order!

You can also purchase one without the Angels4Epilepsy embroidered on his foot by clicking here and $4 will go to Angels4Epilepsy. Angels4Epilepsy delivers gift bags to children hospitalized.

Please Save & Send Pepsi Power Vote Codes

2011-07-17T14:27:00.000-06:00

Jamie is running for a Pepsi Grant next month and we need those Pepsi Power Vote Codes in specially marked bottles and cases.

Here is what they look like:

Please send those to us all of July and August so she can help her Angels4Epilepsy, Inc., provide gift cards to low income children to purchase USB medical alert bracelets.

Thank you!

Child Charity Organizer is Awarded Scholarship - Augusta Chronicle

2011-07-16T08:41:00.000-06:00

By Nikasha Dicks

Staff Writer

Friday, July 15, 2011

In just a year and a half, Angels4Epilepsy has grown from an idea to an organization that by the fall will reach out to hospitalized children in four states.

Back | Next

File/Staff

Jamie Bacigalupo, 7. middle, hands Christmas presents to Ronnette Bush, weekend relief manager at the Ronald McDonald house in Augusta in 2010.

Jamie Bacigalupo got the idea for the organization after several hospital stays. The 8-year-old was diagnosed with benign rolandic epilepsy in June 2008 and pediatric migraines in January 2010.

"Our two main goals are to bring happiness to children who have been hospitalized and to raise awareness about epilepsy," said her mother, Judy Bacigalupo.

Since it was organized in January 2010, Angels4Epilepsy has delivered more than 400 gift bags to hospitalized children in Georgia and Florida, including the Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta. The organization will make another delivery to the children's medical center around Halloween.

Future deliveries are also planned for children's hospitals in Indianapolis, which is being organized by a volunteer there, and El Paso, Texas, where the family moved last month from Evans.

Many of the gift bag items are donated from organizations and business around the world, Bacigalupo said.

Jamie also adds things of her own to gift bags, including toys she receives and cards she makes.

Though the family has moved, it's important for them to maintain their efforts in the Augusta area "because it's where Jamie was first diagnosed," Bacigalupo said.

"Thanks to (child neurologist) Dr. Suzanne Strickland at MCG, I felt that Jamie received the best care, and as part in giving back to the great service, we want to continue to provide to the children there," she said.

Jamie's older sister, April Branam, is still in the area and will be leading efforts to continue deliveries on the behalf of Angels4Epilepsy and Jamie to the children's medical center, Bacigalupo said.

Though the determined 8-year-old is shy, Jamie's efforts haven't gone unnoticed.

Angels4Epilepsy received a $5,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant last year that enabled it to become incorporated in November and purchase items for the gift bags. It also received 501(c)(3) status in May.

Recently, Jamie was one of 200 children and teens selected to receive a $1,000 Kohl's Cares Scholarship to be used for post-secondary education. She is in the running to be one of 10 national winners, who will receive an additional $9,000 in scholarship funds and $1,000 to a nonprofit organization of their choice.

The scholarships are awarded to young volunteers making an impact in their community, according to a news release.

"She's very modest," Bacigalupo said of Jamie. "She's not doing it for the recognition. She simply wants to make other kids smile."

Learn more online

For more information about Angels4Epilepsy, its efforts and how you can help, visit www.angels4epilepsy.org.

Follow Up Article to Jamie's Interview with El Paso Times

2011-07-15T09:27:00.000-06:00

http://elpasotimes.typepad.com/neighborhoods/2011/07/reporters-notebook-on-epilepsy.html

Reporter's Notebook on Epilepsy

By Alex Hinojosa
EL PASO TIMES

While writing and reporting on 8-year-oldJamie Bacigalupo’s cause, I researched epilepsy and searched for area support groups that might help with the story – in doing so I was connected to Phil Jordan, who wants to educate the community about epilepsy much like the Bacigalupo family.

Jordan said it all began when his son P.C. Jordan was diagnosed with epilepsy at a young age. P.C. Jordan, a 2004 Burges High School graduate, played baseball for the high school and was involved in many organizations.

P.C. died during a seizure attack at night – most commonly known as Sudden Unexplained Death for Epileptic Problems. P.C was 20-years old.

In memory of his son, Phil Jordan set up a Stroll for Epilepsy – an educational effort sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas. The stroll took place March 2010 with about 450 people who participated.

“A lot of people don’t like to talk about it, (epilepsy) and I feel that the community needs to be more educated,” Phil Jordan said. “They need to know that if they see someone having a seizure they don’t have to call the ambulance right away. There are other ways to help someone that is having a seizure.”

Educating the public and students in schools is one of many challenges that the Bacigalupo family has faced.

During Jamie’s first year of school, mother Judy Bacigalupo had to specify her daughter’s needs to the administration and the teachers.

“She has to eat and take her medication at certain times,” Judy said. “I told them she may have to eat, drink and rest more than other children.”

Jamie, much like other children with epilepsy can have a seizure triggered by stress or strobe lights. She must take daily medications to keep her stable – so far she’s been stable for two years.

More epilepsy information

Epilepsy is a neurological condition caused by sudden brief changes in the brain's electrical balance.

There are different forms of epilepsy.

Seizures can alter awareness, physical movements, consciousness or actions. They generally last from a few seconds to several minutes.

It is not mental illnesses or a sign of low intelligence. It is not contagious. It is generally not a chronic or lifetime condition.

An estimated one in 10 people will have seizures during his or her lifetime. About 1 to 2 percent of the population has epilepsy disorders.

People with epilepsy are at risk for sudden unexplained death for epileptic problems.

People with epilepsy are able to control their seizures with medications. However, if seizures do occur, people have little or no control over them

For local support groups for children and their families, check with your doctor or local hospital.

To find out more about Jamie's cause click here.

For more information or meeting times for the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas contact Phil Jordan at 240-4848 or at pcjordan@swbell.net.

Tutus for Angels

2011-07-14T22:27:00.000-06:00

Jamie's sister is making adorable and affordable tutu's to help raise money for Angels4Epilepsy. All proceeds, after cost of material, will go directly to Angels4Epilepsy. Check out her Etsy store here.

Here some of the cute tutu's and more:

Hernando: Angels4Epilepsy's New Mascot and How You Can Purchase Him

2011-07-13T20:10:00.000-06:00

A very special person reached out to Angels4Epilepsy and offered us a wonderful opportunity. TG Bears has created this custom, hand made bear with Angels4Epilepsy embroidered on his right paw. The purple ribbon is for epilepsy and altogether, he makes up Hernando! Hernando is available for purchase and can be shipped directly for you. Portion of the proceeds will go to Angels4Epilepsy (a 501c3 charity) so your purchase is tax deductible.

We have three up-coming gift bag deliveries to hospitals in Indiana, Georgia and Texas. We are able to provide gift bags to children thanks to the generous support of others. We also have many requests from others who want to provide deliveries in their states. Additional funding will allow us to complete our goals.

For $35 per bear plus $15 shipping ($3 for additional), you can order this adorable hand made friend for that special someone while benefiting Angels4Epilepsy!

For more information on ordering, send an e-mail to angels4epilepsy@yahoo.com.

My Life as Mandy ... With Epilepsy: A Must Read

2011-07-12T09:16:00.000-06:00

As Jamie continues to move along with trying to help children and raise awareness, she meets very special people. Even though we don't physically get to meet these wonderful people, the age of online social interaction is an amazing way to reach out to more. If you have epilepsy or are curious about epilepsy, you should hop on over to My Life as Mandy ...With Epilepsy to learn more about Mandy and epilepsy.

She even has a store dedicated to epilepsy awareness here.

Jamie is a Store and Regional Winner from 2011 Kohls Cares for Kids!

2011-07-07T11:39:00.000-06:00

Jamie won the 2011 Kohl's Cares Scholarship at the local and regional levels!

GEORGIA

Bacigalupo, Jamie
Age: 7*
City: Evans**
Activity: Jamie created Angels4Epilepsy to organize and distribute care packages to help comfort children with epilepsy, like herself, during hospitalization.

Click here to see!

National winners will be announced at the end of July. Jamie received a $1000 scholarship.

Time to get busy helping our new state of Texas!

Congratulations to Jamie and thanks to Kohls!

Buy a Bear & Angels4Epilepsy Gets $4!

2011-07-07T11:36:00.000-06:00

Have you seen the adorable hand made bears at TG Bears? If not, they are so cute! Here are just a few of the very cute, cuddly bears you can choose from AND when you purchase one of these cuties, $4 will go to Angels4Epilepsy so Jamie can keep giving!

Just click the link below to learn more!

Special thanks to TG Bears for providing this opportunity to us!

Youth Service America (YSA) Spotlight on Jamie

2011-07-03T13:53:00.000-06:00

July 1, 2011

Volume 18, No. 26

Circulation: 39,950

Everyday Young Heroes

Jamie Bacigalupo
El Paso, TX

YSA recognizes eight year old Jamie Bacigalupo from El Paso, Texas, as one of our Everyday Young Heroes for her work to provide comfort and support for hospitalized children through her Angels4Epilepsy Program.

Jamie was diagnosed with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy at the age of five and after experiencing what it is like to be hospitalized, she made it her personal mission to raise awareness about epilepsy and to bring smiles to hospitalized children. Jamie started Angels4Epilepsy, Inc. in Georgia in 2010. Her goal was to help other children hospitalized as a result of her personal experiences with numerous doctor visits, tests and hospitalizations. Jamie understands how scary and boring a hospital can be and through her program, she is providing young hospital patients fun activities to take their minds off their illnesses.

Through 2010, she delivered over 300 gift bags to local children's hospitals and the Ronald McDonald House in Georgia and Florida. She was responsible for using her own money and raising funds to purchase the items for her gift bags. In July, Jamie will deliver over 100 gift bags to a children's hospital in Indiana.

For her support of young hospital patients and her desire to make their hospital stays fun, we honor Jamie as an Everyday Young Hero. To learn more about Angels4Epilepsy, visit www.angels4epilepsy.org.

Pepsi Power Vote Codes Needed July and August!

2011-06-30T08:13:00.000-06:00

Many thanks to those who repeatedly voted, supported those also running for a grant that supported us and actively sought to get more support. The list would probably run pretty long but extra special thanks goes to Heather, Stacey and Sven!

It appears we did not win the $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant this month unless a miracle happens. However, we are going to resubmit in July to run again in August.

How can you help?

Please save and send all your Pepsi Power Vote Codes found in specially marked bottles and boxes of Pepsi and e-mail them to:

angels4epilepsy@yahoo.com

pepsicode@yahoo.com

Thank you!

Together, we can WIN!

Pepsi Refresh Grant Spotlight Month of June: Children's Rainbow Mountain Retreat & The Root Center

2011-06-26T16:48:00.000-06:00

It's amazing the number of great projects that are vying for a grant from the Pepsi Refresh project. I think it's wonderful that Pepsi provides this funding to help projects go forward with their ideas and missions, I still wished they would change the process and switch around categories to allow smaller organizations a better chance of winning. It's hard to go up against schools and so forth who have the numbers behind them and the ability to rack up those precious bonus Power Votes. Nonetheless, the world is not perfect and I'm still thankful for Pepsi in offering this great community give back initiative.

Yesterday, I spotlighted the Connecticut Labrador Rescue idea not only because I think labs are the prettiest dogs around but the person leading the idea is very nice and is doing something very unselfish. Today, and I know I should have started this long before now, I wanted to spotlight two more ideas:

Paul is leading this very special idea to provide therapeutic retreats to children. The retreats are located in the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee and provide a getaway for both children and their families. It's a great relief from children who suffered through sexual or physical abuse or who are experiencing a life threatening disease. Anytime it involves children, it's a great reason to support.

Rainbow offers four to five day retreats to include the stay, meals and activities free of charge to the families. After a crisis or illness, this could be a very welcome break!

To read more, click here and to vote, click above!

We are big into organic produce and see so much merit in this project. Not only are the hungry not getting good food to eat, if much of any, but they certainly aren't getting the produce they need. Produce is tricky due to the contaminants involved during the growing phase. I prefer organic food to ensure my children are not getting the pesticide residue and other contaminants. Sue's idea is to build a solar greenhouse to provide organic produce to the hungry at the Root Center.

In 2010, they grew over 3,000 pounds of organic food for food shelters! They are also a 501(c)(3) public charity.

This is a great idea along with the others we are spotlighting and I hope you can take a quick moment to vote!

To read more, click here and click the link above to vote.

Thank you!

Pepsi Refresh Grant Spotlight Month of June: Connecticut Labrador Rescue Inc

2011-06-25T20:31:00.001-06:00

This month, if you are a regular to my blog, you all know that my eight year old is vying for a $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant for her Angels4Epilepsy registered non-profit. She plans to utilize the funds to help purchase USB bracelets and bicycle helmets for children with epilepsy, custom teddy bears by TG Bears and other items. One of the fellow "ideas" that are supporting us is the Connecticut Labrador Rescue Inc.

Right now they are 24 in the $10,000 tier and need help with trying to win! Their idea will help rescue dogs with issues to provide to owners willing to adopt them. The grant funds will be utilized for a heat system, roofing and cement. $10,000 is not a lot to seek for such a cause.

If you have a free moment, it won't take long, please cast your vote and you can vote three ways: 1. Facebook login once you click the link below; 2. Registering with Pepsi and logging in via Pepsi (not Facebook); and 3. Text 106646 to Pepsi (73774) to vote from your mobile *Standard text messaging rates apply.

Stay tuned for a new spotlight tomorrow on Children's Rainbow Mountain Retreat.

Voting ends 6/30 so please vote!

Please Vote Daily for Jamie and Other Great Ideas - Ends 6/30!

2011-06-22T11:42:00.000-06:00

Every month, Pepsi provides a wonderful community service by providing funding grants for ideas that need money. The ideas vary and there truly is an idea that would appeal to anyone. These organizations, many would not ever receive this type of funding, are all vying against a host of other ideas to win. This year, Pepsi introduced the Power Vote which constitutes bottle cap and case codes that randomly provide a number of votes up to 100 for a particular cause. This is an ingenious idea on Pepsi's behalf because I'm certain the sales go up pending who is running. I like the idea but then I don't because I think the large organizations running will benefit the most with their members being able to dump many, many codes to them while the "little man" doesn't have that advantage. Nonetheless, I know that if I were one of those getting all those codes, I would think it was fair and would be smiling!

This month, Angels4Epilepsy is running along with a host of others. We decided to highlight some of those other groups running and hope that you will not only vote for us but for one of them. You are allowed up to five votes a day.

Please take just a few minutes and support any of these groups below:

Thanks for supporting and voting!!!!

Pepsi Refresh Grant Process

2011-06-20T17:16:00.000-06:00

This is our second attempt at winning a Pepsi Refresh Grant. We won our first one last year for $5,000 and have brought smiles to over 300 children in Georgia and Florida and over 100 more in Indiana soon to come. The Pepsi process is not an easy one if you aren't a big organization or associated with a group of "progressive" projects that have banned together to get a slew of social programs pushed through. It was not only hard to do without the power votes but now the big organizations have yet another advantage with having their members turn in the power votes for anything up to 100 extra votes. If you are a school or an animal shelter, you are in luck it seems. For the "little" person, it's an uphill battle that really requires forethought and planning. So here are my tips if you are considering a run.

Power Vote Codes:

Keep in mind you have a five day submission period to put in your application. It used to be first come, first in but now they decide who will be granted entry which might be a little more fair. Since this is a month out, you will have 30~ days to start saving those Power Vote codes and having them ready when your turn is up.

Alliances:

This is HUGE and a must have. You must form an alliance with others and with the new process, it's a little harder as you knew that if a group didn't make it and were in the top 100, they would be back. This isn't the case so you have to find your alliance. The problem with alliances is you can't always trust them. It got ugly the first time we ran with all the mistrust and deceit so you learn and you determine who really is voting for you by trial and error.

Commenting:

Many people don't comment because they don't have time to leave comments and to be honest, Pepsi's site is usually messed up which makes leaving comments difficult at times. However, a group really doesn't know you are voting unless you leave them. If a person only has to leave four comments a day, it's not really that much. I advocate comments.

Social Media:

Utilize social media and ensure you have people with similar interests in your Twitter and Facebook circle as they will be more apt to helping you spread the word. Create an event in Facebook for daily reminders. Be cautious of using e-mails on Facebook as it can get out of control. If someone on your list doesn't want to be on a list and if someone comments, it goes to everyone and then it just snow balls. Utilize regular e-mail versus FB messaging. Change your avator for added exposure.

Advertising/Word of Mouth:

Create flyers and seek out local businesses who might co-promote for you. Flyers on pizza boxes, in carry out bags, grocery stores, etc. Any help you can get to spread the word!

Plan:

Get your e-mail mass messages ready, contact people ahead of time to let them know it's coming and drum up your support but don't burn out everyone! It's a fine line to walk!

I wrote this in response to many e-mails I have received in tips sought. Good luck!

A Month of Pepsi Refresh Great Ideas to Vote

2011-06-16T15:13:00.000-06:00

Spotlight on the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida: Jacksonville Office

2011-06-15T12:03:00.000-06:00

I have learned so much about caring, compassion and giving from Heather at the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida's Jacksonville office. I'm amazed at this Foundation's ability to put so much effort and time into serving others with epilepsy. The array of information, support groups, rallying of support of other's projects, community reach out and much more are an inspiration to me. Heather is an amazing woman and has a heart of gold.

Thank you, Heather for all your support of Jamie and Angels4Epilepsy!

They also just won $45,000! A big congratulations to them as they definitely earned it!

Check out their website here.

Specifically, the Jacksonville office:

JACKSONVILLE

5209 San Jose Blvd, Suite 101

Jacksonville, FL 32207

904-731-3752; 904-730-2329 fax

Serving: Baker,Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St.Johns, and Volusia counties

Our Pursuit of Healthiness

2011-06-15T11:56:00.000-06:00

I decided since our move, we would try growing some of our own food not only to be a bit healthier but to teach the girls about gardening. Jamie had fun planting our heirloom seeds of watermelon, tomatoes, pumpkins, peppers and cucumbers. I'm not sure how they will turn out but they had fun and out of all the girls, Jamie proved to be the toughest and hung in to the end with me. Just goes to show that epilepsy does not have to hinder anyone from being active and having fun.

Both my younger girls have chronic conditions with both taking two daily medications a day. My youngest, almost four, suffers from an unknown pulmonary condition and nearly died two years ago. Luckily, her medications have kept her going. My only fear is waiting to see if she will have epilepsy too. Jamie's epilepsy is under control and I'm happy to say that she's been on the same dosage of Keppra going on the third year and has had no seizures. I'm happy for that in that in spite of her growing over three inches and picking up weight, her epilepsy is under control without having to up the dosage.

Don't Forget to Cast Your Vote Daily to Help Jamie Win $25,000 for Angels4Epilepsy!

2011-06-15T11:50:00.001-06:00

Just click the button AND you can text to help Jamie win $25,000 for Angels4Epilepsy. We plan to help a lot of children IF we win with USB medical alert bracelets, bicycle helmets and more!

Tax Exemption Status Finally!

2011-06-13T15:39:00.001-06:00

My application for tax exemption was accepted by the IRS! I'm amazed that I was able to figure it out without an attorney and now we can take donations and IF you donate, you can write it off on your taxes!

Vote Daily Please and Help Us Win $25,000

2011-06-12T00:14:00.001-06:00

Just click the button AND you can text to help Jamie win $25,000 for Angels4Epilepsy. We plan to help a lot of children IF we win with USB medical alert bracelets, bicycle helmets and more!

Seeking Pepsi Power Vote Cap Codes - Help Angels4Epilepsy Win

2011-06-11T10:28:00.001-06:00

If anyone drinks Pepsi and has the Pepsi Refresh Power Cap Codes and aren't using them, can you please please send the codes to me at staying_younger@yahoo.com?

Jamie is running for the $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant for her non-profit Angels4Epilepsy. We are going to utilize the mass amount of the budget to donate gift cards to various epilepsy foundations to give bicycle helmet and medical alert ID bracelet gift cards to parents of low income. With summer coming, the dangers of a child bumping their heads while riding a bike or on a scooter increase and for some parents, they cannot afford a helmet which is where we want to help. Also, providing USB ID bracelets will allow parents to have their children's medical records easily accessible in the event of a bracelet or if the child is facing an emergency.

You can also vote to help at:

http://www.refresheverything.com/angels4epilepsyincorporated

Text* 106872 to Pepsi (73774) to vote from your mobile.

*Standard text messaging rates apply
Thank you!

Please Vote and Help Jamie Win $25,000 from Pepsi for Angels4Epilepsy

2011-06-10T07:39:00.001-06:00

I'm bringing out my pleading hat and asking all my readers to please vote for Jamie's project, Angels4Epilepsy, every day until the end of day on June 30th! She's up for a $25,000 grant from Pepsi in which she will utilize the funds to purchase teddy bears from TG Bears for children hospitalized, gift cards to hand over to various Epilepsy Foundations to give to parents of low income to purchase bicycle helmets and medical alert USB bracelets for children with epilepsy.

Jamie was diagnosed with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy (BRE) nearly three year's ago to the date. She is one of the fortunate ones in that her epilepsy might go away when she hits puberty. For many other children, their epilepsy will not, they may have uncontrolled seizures and for some, they will die from what is called SUDEP. SUDEP is a death that occurs when one has epilepsy but they don't know why the person died. Our goal is to bring smiles to children. Originally, we became an official non-profit in the state of Georgia last year. Since then, we have delivered or helped to deliver over 300 gift bags to children in the hospital and/or the Ronald McDonald House in Georgia and Florida thanks to the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida's Jacksonville office. We are soon to be delivering gift bags in Indiana thanks to Stacey Burns who started her own support group out of Indiana to help others with epilepsy.

As we continue to deliver gift bags, this latest round in the Pepsi Refresh project will enable us to help makes the lives safer for some children with the helmets and bracelets while bringing smiles with the teddy bears. We also seek funding to help Destiny Makers' Glenn Fennster help raise awareness about the dangers of motorcycle strobe light posters.

If you have a second, please vote! You can vote by clicking the link and logging in with your Facebook page, registering with Pepsi and/or texting your vote every day!

http://www.refresheverything.com/angels4epilepsyincorporated

Text* 106872 to Pepsi (73774) to vote from your mobile.

*Standard text messaging rates apply

USDA Forest Service and Ad Council Launch New PSAs to Re-connect Families and Kids with Nature

2011-06-08T12:58:00.001-06:00

Children in the U.S. spend 50 percent less time outdoors than they did 20 years ago. In an effort to motivate families and their children to get outside more often and re-connect with nature, the USDA Forest Service and the Ad Council today launched new public service advertisements (PSAs) to encourage families to take the time to discover the forest. The Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Tom Tidwell, will unveil the new PSAs on June 11 at Kingman Island in coordination with National Get Outdoors Day.

Initially launched in 2009, the campaign aims to encourage children and their families to get outside and experience the many benefits of nature. Research shows that children who play outside have a reduced risk for obesity, lower stress levels, more active imaginations and they’re more likely to become environmentally conscious adults.

The new television, radio, print and outdoor PSAs, created pro bono by ad agency, Turbine, are being released to coincide with National Get Outdoors Day on June 11. The PSAs encourage children and their parents to visit www.DiscoverTheForest.org (and the new Spanish version, DescubreElBosque.org), which includes an interactive map tool, powered by Google and Nature Find™ that enables users to search for nearby forests and parks, as well as downloadable activities for them to print and take with them when they visit.

“Parents play an important role in encouraging children to get outside in nature,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “Our campaign with the Ad Council aims to re-connect families to nature by encouraging them to break free from their daily routines and experience the forest first hand. This gives families the ability to explore and engage in adventurous play, instilling in children a love for nature and fosters a sense of stewardship for the environment and our public lands.”

“We are proud to join our partners at the USDA Forest Service again this year with new materials that encourage families to truly discover the wonders of our national, state and urban forests,” said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “We hope the result is that more children experience the joys of nature and that it creates a lifetime of interest and environmental stewardship.”

"It goes without saying, the world of electronics pervades all our lives more than ever," says Rob Slosberg, Partner and Creative Director at Turbine. "This campaign encourages parents to unplug and bring your kids to the forest to experience all the wonders of nature."

The Ad Council and the USDA Forest Service will promote the new PSAs through a multifaceted social media effort on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Visit the campaign's online communities on facebook.com/DiscoverTheForest,YouTube.com/DiscoverTheForest and twitter.com/cheecker.

For more information on local events and ways to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day visit www.NationalGetOutdoorsDay.org.

Please Vote (Again) to Help Jamie Win $25000 for Angels4Epilepsy

2011-06-01T23:39:00.000-06:00

It's that time again where we beg, grovel and do whatever we can to try to get enough votes for the month of June to win a grant from Pepsi. This time, we are going for the $25,000 grant in hopes of purchasing Angels bears made by TG Bears along with the presentation of gift cards to help various epilepsy foundations hand out gift cards to families in need to purchase medical alert bracelets and bicycle helmets. Another budget item is to purchase strobe awareness posters for motorcycle shops which is something Glenn Fenster started with his endeavor to raise awareness about epilepsy.

Voting is easy as you can create an account on Pepsi or use your Facebook login. You can ALSO get a second vote by texting it in. If we are in the top 15, we win!

Just click below to vote daily and please spread the word as we need as many votes as possible!

http://www.refresheverything.com/angels4epilepsyincorporated

AND

Text* 106872 to Pepsi (73774)

Thank you!

IRS Response Received - Need to Respond

2011-05-07T15:18:00.003-06:00

Good news is:

The IRS didn't reject my application for tax exemption status; and
I only had to respond to five additional questions for more information.

Not too bad for the completing my first ever tax exemption status! I'm really hoping we can achieve this so we can seek donations and more. Many people don't want to donate unless you have this coveted status so fingers crossed!

Pepsi Grant Under Review

2011-05-07T09:19:00.000-06:00

We received an e-mail yesterday that our application was one of the many selected for review so finger's crossed that we are chosen AND can win! We plan to do things a little different with this IF we win. For starters, epilepsy is an expensive disorder to have. Our goals are to give back a little different while still showing love to those hospitalized with epilepsy whether it's a first time terrifying diagnosis, an overnight EEG or some other complication. Our mission this time will be:

Provide gift cards to parents seeking bicycle helmets for their children who normally couldn't afford it. We'll be seeking epilepsy related affiliates that can distribute these gift cards to members of their communities in need.
Provide gift cards to purchase epilepsy medical alert bracelets. It will be the same plan as the bicycle helmets. I'm guessing there are many children with epilepsy not able to wear med alerts due to costs. A child's safety is first and foremost. Having my own child with epilepsy, I have learned how little the school systems know about epilepsy and having her wear a bracelet gave me a little piece of mind.
Provide posters to raise awareness about strobe lights on motorcycles. A little unknown are how this can impact some people with epilepsy. This is to support a wonderful man by the name of Glenn Fenster who rides nationally to raise epilepsy awareness. He tries to talk to motorcyclists about removing their strobe lights so this is to pay it forward back to Glenn and his mission.
Provide an Angels4Epilepsy bear to children hospitalized. I found about TG Bears and fell in love with these handmade creations and hope to be able to forge an alliance with those cute bears! More to come on this endeavor!
To purchase more awareness cards and information about epilepsy.

Get ready to vote because if we win, we'll need help!

We Did It....Again

2011-05-06T03:54:00.000-06:00

At the final three hours left to submit, I submitted a new application for a Pepsi Refresh Grant but this time, the amount requested is $25,000 to help purchase gift cards to distribute to area Epilepsy Foundations for low income families to purchase helmets and medical alert bracelets. Other funding would be used to purchase teddy bears for children hospitalized and awareness items to local communities and schools.

At the end of the month, they randomly select those that will go forward so we'll see!

Help The Florida Epilepsy Foundation Win from Chase

2011-04-26T07:35:00.000-06:00

A very wonderful person does so much to help others with epilepsy as well as to raise money and awareness. This special person has been an inspiration to Jamie and myself and I cannot say enough about her. Her name is Heather and she is part of the Jacksonville, Florida office. She has openly accepted, encouraged and helped Angels4Epilepsy from the running to win a Pepsi Refresh Grant to delivering gift bags. She is a remarkable person and now I would like to help her in winning the Chase Community Giving which you can too by simply voting here.

The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (EFOF) leads the fight to stop seizures, find a cure and and overcome challenges created by epilepsy.

In case you missed it, you can vote

HERE

Voting ends May 5th so please tell others and let's see them win!

Thank you!

Check Out Jamie in Discovery Girls

2011-04-12T11:06:00.001-06:00

Jamie was just featured as part of National Volunteer Week at Discovery Girls. Please take a look at Jamie and the other great volunteers that will be featured all week.

Thanks, Discovery Girls!

Our Purple Day 2011

2011-03-27T10:29:00.000-06:00

How did you spend Purple Day? We organized gift bags for both children and adults full of goodies and Pillow Pets to bring smiles to those little ones in the hospital. Not all the children we deliver to have epilepsy as we don't limit our donations to that but we do hope to educate and raise awareness with each delivery to include SMILES!

Jamie had fun putting all the bags together along with her three year old sister and her older 22 year old sister. We find this a great way to spend family time together while ensuring they learn to always give back and never let a chronic condition keep you down.

Purple Day: What Will You Do?

2011-03-25T11:28:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow is Purple Day which is a day to raise awareness and support all the people with epilepsy both alive and passed on. Purple Day is significant in that people are asked to wear purple .. isn't that easy? There are many events going on throughout the world in celebration of this day. Epilepsy is a disease that afflicts more people than you probably realize. I never knew until my then five year old was diagnosed with it two, almost three year's ago. It's a terrifying disease in that one has seizures which can be controlled and in many cases, not controlled. Epilepsy even kills which is an even lesser known fact about it. Seizures are the culprit but they really don't know why it happens but SUDEP is real and many children and adults have lost their lives to it.

This Saturday, please join in and wear purple and tell someone about why you are wearing purple. My seven year old daughter, founder of Angels4Epilepsy.org, is delivering purple Pillow Pets to the local children's hospitals for any child currently hospitalized but mostly to support any child enduring testing or other procedure related to epilepsy. We are also delivering small bags to drop off at the Ronald McDonald House for parents who are enduring a hospitalized child.

We're slowly starting a Zazzle store to raise funds for Angels4Epilepsy which you can check out here.

Check out the Anita Kaufman Foundation and learn more about epilepsy and Purple Day.

Cool Epilepsy Products by Epileptude

2011-03-23T11:07:00.000-06:00

Richard at Epileptude has some great shirts, accessories and more if you have epilepsy or know someone who does. His creativity in raising awareness and getting the message out about epilepsy is a wonderful endeavor. Not only are there products that show your support for epilepsy but there are other items that help to alert others in case of an emergency such as a necklace bearing the medic alert such as there:

epilepsy gold and blue by Epileptude
Browse more Support Necklaces

blue, medic alert by Epileptude

Create your own personalized necklace online

Epilepsy is a condition that affects so many people and the more people can do to spread the word, the better lives will be. There still needs to be more research and education done on epilepsy as well as overall awareness to stop people from getting discriminated against and to open doors for others.

I have to say thanks to Richard for doing what he does in support of my daughter and the others who struggle with epilepsy.

T H A N K Y O U ! ! !

Sponsorships

2011-03-16T15:56:00.001-06:00

Angels4Epilepsy, Inc., operates off of generous donations from others. We are currently pending a tax exemption from the IRS and hope to hear back from soon. As a non-profit, we operate purely from volunteer hours versus anyone getting paid. All of our volunteers provide their time to help others with epilepsy. Our deliveries of gift bags and other items are not inclusive to children and adults with epilepsy as they serve children with any condition at a particular hospital we deliver to as well as families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.

To date, we have delivered to:

Multiple deliveries to Georgia's MCG Hospital
One visit to the Augusta Ronald McDonald Hospital
One visit to a hospital in Jacksonville, Florida
One pending visit to Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana

We have many plans coming up this year to try to raise more funds and becoming more self-sufficient post our $5,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant.

If you would like to sponsor Angels4Epilepsy, we will post your logo and link to your site and will print a special thank you on the back of our paperwork designating your support. We will also provide extras such as blog posts and tweets to include exposure on our Facebook page.

If interested, please contact me at angels4epilepsy@yahoo.com.

Help a School & Vote for a Pepsi Refresh Grant

2011-03-15T18:46:00.001-06:00

I'm a big fan of the Pepsi Refresh projects especially since my daughter's non-profit for epilepsy won last year. I think it's a great initiative for so many wonderful projects that wouldn't have a chance without the generous funding from Pepsi. Schools are becoming the source of many budget woes and with so many projects getting cut, extra funding could make the difference in something that not only teaches but is enjoyable. The LaSalle Public School wants to build an outdoor classroom to help and inspire and motivate children to learn about the natural environment. They are ranked 8th and need to finish in the top two to win a grant for $25,000.

It's a great project and it's free to vote so please head over and vote daily and spread the word! Thank you!

Click here to vote.

The Gang Arrived for Purple Day

2011-02-28T21:06:00.000-07:00

Jamie and her sister (not pictured) were excited to see the "gang" finally arrived for our Purple Day delivery to the children at the local hospital. This will be a fun time because three days later, she will have a sleep deprived EEG to assess how her seizures are doing. My fingers are crossed that the outcome will continue to show her type of epilepsy will be one she outgrows in time. March 26 is Purple Day which is the day for epilepsy awareness. It's amazing the number of people have epilepsy yet so much is not understood or known about the condition. There are a number of wonderful groups and people who are helping to bridge the gap. Stay tuned for a focus series on those making a difference.

In the meantime, think of doing something to help raise awareness for Purple Day on March 26th. Even The Cake Boss, Buddy is getting involved! A little makes a difference and collectively, we might make change. We're delivering 18 purple Pillow Pets to help provide comfort to children hospitalized.

On another note, our little band of Angels are growing. We have Elizabeth who is Jamie's niece (pictured above)!

Special thanks to Heather from the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida - Jacksonville office and Stacey from our home state of Indiana helping to spread happiness there! Their assistance in delivering gift bags to Florida and Indiana helps to raise more awareness about epilepsy and their help is greatly appreciated!

Lots of Planning, Preparation and Buddy The Cake Boss

2011-02-22T17:02:00.000-07:00

As we proceed into 2011, we're trying to decide how to get the most from our efforts. We have some ideas as we move ahead and a very anxious Jamie is waiting to make things happen. She's emerging from her shadow that epilepsy invoked on her. The same very common but often misunderstood condition that zapped that vibrant smile and spontaneous behavior is not losing its battle. Jamie is coming back and I can't help but think it's a combination of helping other children with their battle and her success she started seeing at school thanks to a couple of very special teachers she has. It's wonderful to see that smile return and she's really ready to go to reach out to more kids.

Some of her goals are to make necklaces and sell them to bring in money for her Angels4Epilepsy gift bags. She already is planning on a delivery on Purple Day to bring more attention to the event that marks epilepsy awareness. Even Buddy from The Cake Boss is participating with the Anita Kaufman Foundation by making purple cupcakes on March 12th! Yeah, Buddy! Jamie also enjoys watching his show.

As we move ahead, we're still coming up with ideas to move Angels4Epilepsy forward. We have made a wonderful contact in Indiana who is starting to make things shake for those with epilepsy there. We look forward to hopefully working with Stacey.

That's it for now but stay tuned for more!

What Are You Doing for Purple Day on March 26?

2011-02-05T14:09:00.000-07:00

Jamie hasn't been doing too much Angels at the moment rather she has been thoroughly enjoying her niece! I wanted to take this moment to raise awareness about Purple day.

Did you know that epilepsy affects over three million Americans and over 50 million people worldwide? Visit www.akfus.org for more information. Jamie and her sisters will be distributing purple gift bags on March 26th in support of Purple Day. I'm designing our purple shirts and will be using our first donation of the year from Ficklets to purchase supplies and am planning out our Pepsi final distribution in hopes of maximizing our funds to sustain us for the long term.

Join Purple Day March 26 for Epilepsy Awareness

2011-02-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

Click here to learn more!

Second Pepsi Refresh Disbursement & Our First Donation of the Year From Ficklets

2011-01-24T17:24:00.000-07:00

We received our very generous disbursement from the Pepsi Refresh Project and now are planning out the rest of the year. We want to have a delivery in Indiana and one more state. We even contemplated going back to Florida for another round but we'll have to wait and see. We picked up our Corporate Kit last week from our wonderful pro bono attorney Amanda Medlin Bellotti. We were very fortunate to have her help us achieve non-profit status.

We were thinking of a local Valentine's Day drop off but not sure we'll have enough time. A quick drop off at the local Ronald McDonald House might be in store as well. They are amazing at what they do and it was so much fun seeing the look on Jamie's face when we delivered back at Christmas time.

THANK YOU, PEPSI!

*********

We mostly fund ourselves through money that Jamie earns with chores and whatever I can give. We have been fortunate to receive several donations this past year from some amazing folks. To start out our year, we already received another repeat donation from Ros at Ficklets!

If you are not familiar with Ficklets, they are adorable yet trendy eyewear charm huggers for your children's glasses that are inexpensive! They help your child love their glasses with so many to choose from, they have something for every child and adults pending your style. Take a look at some of these:

Ros invented Ficklets after being inspired by her own daughter's displeasure with her own glasses. Ros is a success story in the spirit of can do and whatever it takes. She is an amazing giving person and her sole inspiration is her beautiful daughter. Ros reaches out to many others in her charitable ways and is very personalized with each and every customer. She is a model business owner, entrepreneur, mother, wife and so much more.

THANK YOU, FICKLETS!

Angels4Epilepsy's Thank You Letter from Florida

2011-01-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida's Heather, 24 bags were delivered to Wolfson Children's Hospital in Florida!

Help a RI Non-Profit Win for Children with Seizures and Epilepsy

2010-12-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

Please vote and help this non-profit win:

The Matty Fund

A vote for The Matty Fund is a vote to help children living with seizures and epilepsy right here in Rhode Island. All fundraising efforts support programs and services that go directly to help children and families who struggle every day with seizures, the side effect s of strong medications and the social stigma that accompanies a diagnosis of epilepsy. The Matty Fund is a non-profit organization started in 2003 by Richard and Debra Siravo in memory of their son, Matty, 5 years old, who passed away on Mother’s Day that same year from a prolonged epileptic seizure. Through their painful ordeal the Siravos recognized that public awareness, understanding and most of all resources and support for children and families impacted by epilepsy in Rhode Island was almost non-existent. Our mission is to provide family resources, promote patient safety and improve the quality of life for children and families living with epilepsy.

The Matty Fund was established to help other families overcome the fear and frustration that accompanies the onset of seizures and a diagnosis of epilepsy. Knowing that a cure remains in the distant future, the Siravos wanted resources to help families who are living every day with epilepsy. The Matty Fund, through its Epilepsy Resource Center, the only one of its kind in Rhode Island, helps families in the following ways:

Support Groups for parents and children suffering with seizures and the side effects of strong medications
Help parents and caregivers navigate complex medical, educational and social systems on behalf of their children
Promote patient safety through professional development for medical professionals and students
Epilepsy awareness programs that encourage a welcoming and safe environment at school, home and play
Offer activities and programs for children and families that are safe, inclusive and accessible for all
Fund epilepsy research
Fund summer camp sponsorships and college scholarships

Thank you for voting for Matty’s Kids!

Click HERE to vote.

Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)

2010-12-27T19:24:00.000-07:00

Parents of epileptics must fear Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) as much as I do. Although it's not a common occurrence, just once is enough if it's your child or loved one. I never knew of SUDEP nor much about epilepsy until it hit my Jamie at the age of five. I've been a fortunate parent as hers are controlled and were diagnosed as a type of epilepsy that has no known identifiable reason for appearing. Her epilepsy is Benign Rolandic Epilepsy or BRE. It's a fairly common type of epilepsy that many children outgrow once they hit puberty. BRE is just like other forms of epilepsy in that the person experiences seizures too. Jamie's seizures have been controlled over over a year now. The other good news is that she is on a fairly low dose of Keppra. The downside is she has migraines and insomnia whether it's due to the condition or the medication or both, I don't know. My biggest fear is SUDEP followed by her not outgrowing her epilepsy.

One couple who lost their four year son to SUDEP is using his memory to raise awareness, educate others and find research dollars to help other epileptics. It's an inspiring story that needs to be shared as many do not know what SUDEP and the plight that epileptics must endure.

Here are some excerpts from the story and you can click here to read the entire story.

Epilepsy claims as many as 50,000 lives each year — grim statistics Mike and Mariann Stanton were unaware of until their 4-year-old son, Danny, became one of them.

To get across the message that they’d never been told — epileptic seizures can be deadly — the Stantons have put up billboards, created more than 8,000 brochures for doctors’ offices, hospitals and families; held fund-raisers to boost awareness and research dollars; and created a foundation that’s gotten more than 10,000 Facebook followers.

More than 3 million Americans have epilepsy, recurrent seizures caused by electrical disturbances in the brain. About 40 percent have seizures hard to control with medicine. They face the highest SUDEP risk, though anyone with epilepsy is at risk.

SUDEP is thought to claim 3,000 lives each year nationwide, but the actual toll is likely higher, said Dr. Elson So, a Mayo Clinic neurologist and leading SUDEP expert who learned about the upcoming research from Chicago colleagues and has offered to take part.

Please Vote for These Pepsi Refresh Grant Projects

2010-12-19T11:34:00.000-07:00

After Jamie won for her Angels4Epilepsy project, we continue to support other projects. We vote for a couple of new ones and we still hold true for some of the one's that are still competing for their chance to make a difference. Voting is easy and free. Your help can realize the possibility of these projects in moving forward.

Jamie in the Paper Today!

2010-12-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

Web posted Sunday, December 19, 2010

A Christmas angel

7-year-old loves spreading joy

By Jenna Martin
Staff Writer

Wearing a bright red nose and reindeer antlers, Jamie Bacigalupo was on a mission to spread holiday cheer for sick children and their families.

2 / 2

Michael Holahan/Staff

Jamie hands off Christmas presents to Ronnette Bush, weekend relief manager at the Ronald McDonald House in Augusta.

Click photo for options

Dressed as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the 7-year-old visited the Ronald McDonald House in Augusta and MCG Children's Medical Center last weekend to deliver gift bags of toys and trinkets in an effort "to help take away some of the fear and the boredom of hospitalization," Jamie's mother, Judy said.
Ronald McDonald House Executive Director Betts Murdison said Jamie's donation, which helps all kinds of children, goes directly to the families staying at the house.
"It's kids helping kids," she said. "As families leave to go home, they're taking a piece of this with them."
Jamie herself is no stranger to hospitals.
The first-grader at Evans Elementary School was first diagnosed with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy at age 5 and was hospitalized. Jamie's epilepsy is the most common type in childhood, and most children outgrow it, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.
Before Christmas that same year, Jamie underwent a sleep study at MCG. Volunteers brought her gifts, food and cards, as well as visits from dogs used to cheer up children at the hospital.
Her 3-year-old sister, Danielle, who has a pulmonary condition that her mother says doctors have not yet been able to diagnose, also requires medical treatment.
Between the girls' hospital stints, Jamie became inspired to help others in similar situations. With the help of her mother, she started Angels 4 Epilepsy in February.
"Her main goal is that she likes to do things for other people," Bacigalupo said. "It's almost like breathing to her."
In September, the Bacigalupos found out that Angels 4 Epilepsy received the most votes in August for the Pepsi Refresh Project.
As a family, they handed out fliers to the community and asked for Fort Gordon's help as well so Jamie could come out on top. Jamie's father, James, is deployed to Kuwait until May with the Army.
Angels 4 Epilepsy was awarded a $5,000 grant to provide comfort to children -- those with epilepsy as well as those with other illnesses.
"Angels 4 Epilepsy provides a tremendous service for children hospitalized due to the effect of epilepsy," said Skip Vaughan, vice president and general manger of Pepsi's Georgia Market Unit. "Pepsi Beverages Company is proud to be a part of their efforts to support epileptic children, and we are excited to help with the program's expansion."
With the grant money, Jamie purchased supplies for her gift bags and the organization achieved a nonprofit status by the end of November.
The family, including Jamie's mother, younger sister, older sister, April Branam, and Branam's fiance, Cody Love, fill and deliver the bags.
Since February, Jamie has delivered 77 gift bags for hospitalized children.
Angels 4 Epilepsy also recently sent 24 bags to the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida in Jacksonville.
Next year, Bacigalupo said, the organization's goal is to begin holding fundraisers and raise awareness about epilepsy in the school system.

Future Goal of Angels4Epilepsy: Outreach to Each State

2010-12-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

After having another person contact us interested in delivering Angels4Epilepsy bags to children in other hospitals, we decided one of our long term goals is to outreach to each state. I have no idea how long that will take but we're going to try!

We have delivered to Georgia, more than once, a future delivery will take place in Florida and another possible delivery will occur in Indiana. This is a great way to help children overcome their fears and boredom while hospitalized as well as help parents during this difficult time.

Angels4Epilepsy Delivered to the Ronald McDonald House & the Local Children's Hospital

2010-12-11T15:50:00.000-07:00

The girls had a great day delivering 10 bags plus additional gifts to the Ronald McDonald House and then 15 to the local children's hospital. We previously sent 24 bags and supplies to the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida in Jacksonville so Angels could have a bigger reach.

To date, we have delivered twice this year for a total of 77 gift bags for children hospitalized.

Thank you Pepsi!

Angels4Epilepsy, Inc.

2010-12-02T13:31:00.000-07:00

Angels4Epilepsy, Inc., has official non-profit status as of 11/29/10! A HUGE thanks to Ms. Amanda Medlin Bellotti for her work in achieving this great milestone as part of the Pepsi Refresh Project!

Thank You!

2010-11-30T08:13:00.000-07:00

A very special thank you to attorney Amanda Medlin Bellotti and CPA Bob Harkrider for so graciously helping Jamie obtain non-profit status for Angels4Epilepsy!

Thank You!

Still Trying to Get Non-Profit Status

2010-11-16T04:44:00.001-07:00

We're still working on trying to get non-profit status from a very generous attorney and CPA locally. Our only problem is we are at their mercy for time and our time is running out. I've had to hold some of the funds back in case I have to pay for someone to do it via an online service and amend our budget with Pepsi.

Jamie is growing more excited as we plan to deliver our gift bags on December 11th!

Angels4Epilepsy Delivering to the Local Food Bank

2010-11-02T16:21:00.000-06:00

In an effort to keep teaching Jamie and her younger sister about giving back, we decided to deliver food to the local food bank. The nice thing about this endeavor, we used coupons and great deals at Publix to buy $80 worth of food for only $40!

Jamie understands that there are some children that don't get to eat and aren't as fortunate as she is so this is something she will do tomorrow.

Epilepsy and School

2010-10-28T19:35:00.000-06:00

One of the most compelling reasons to help Jamie start Angels4Epilepsy aside from the most important of helping to provide comfort to children was to raise awareness. To date, I've had the ability to raise awareness with three of Jamie's teachers since enrollment at her current school. What surprised me was after her diagnosis and subsequently with nearly all conversations surrounding her condition with strangers, is the assertion of the other person personally knowing someone who has or had epilepsy. Given that, I am surprised that out of all three of her teachers, no one proclaimed to have had experience with epileptic children.

Something about epilepsy is that not all types of epilepsy are the same. Children will have different types of epilepsy and seizures. When it comes to epilepsy, there are various trigger points that can cause a seizure. For Jamie, they can be lack of sleep, lack of food and drink, stress and over exertion. I don't know if it's coincidental or not, but it seems to me that she responds well to Smart Water. I've been fortunate that each teacher has been accommodating with my requests to watch for signs of tiredness, hunger and thirst. The hunger part is a little tricker because it's imperative she eats her lunch but that is rarely achieved and I can definitely tell the difference when she has ate versus not.

Jamie also has developmental issue in that she needs more 1:1 attention and requires more time to finish her assignments. In spite of my repeated concerns, I'm told she does not require any special classes. I have to admit this creates great anxiety for me in trying to figure out what else I can do to help her. It also creates stress in Jamie as she grows tired of doing so much work. She also grows frustrated that she's never the first to finish. Through it all, she's a trooper though and never has asked "why me" on the epilepsy front. This past January, she was also diagnosed with pediatric migraines and insomnia.

The migraines seem to hit her at least twice a month and they usually result in vomiting. The insomnia causes sleep walking conditions so there is always a fear to let her sleep alone.

I reflect back on her condition and realize that she is turning a negative into a positive in what she is wanting to do with helping other children with her Angels4Epilepsy project. I know I'm setting the foundation but in time, she will take more of a lead and she has many, many ideas yet to come!

Jamie is a creative, thoughtful, funny and giving person among many other wonderful attributes. She is a good older sister to her three year old sister who has her own chronic medical conditions.

If your child has epilepsy, do not be afraid to request special provisions for your child if they attend school.