In this Update…

🐎 Meet Channing, Our Intern through the Community Enrichment Program

📢 Your voice is urgently needed for CDMRP Day of Action on April 15

👟 From Solo Effort to Community Power: Kris’s Race to CURE Epilepsy

🗽 Join us May 5 for CURE Epilepsy Takes Manhattan

🔬 Save the Date! Night of Discovery returns to Chicago September 20, 2025

📍 Upcoming Events

🎙️ New from the Seizing Life Podcast

🧠 New from Epilepsy Explained

Meet Channing, Our Intern through the Community Enrichment Program

Channing is a passionate person and CURE Epilepsy Champion with amazing skills and creativity, but she struggled to find consistent work. Her seizures are unpredictable and can leave her wiped out for days. She inspired us to create a transformative initiative to support the community—the Community Enrichment Program, made possible by UCB.

She has thrived in her internship, and we are so proud to have her as part of the inaugural year of this program. She has a very bright future ahead of her and it's an honor to be part of her journey!

Your voice is urgently needed for CDMRP Day of Action on April 15

Tomorrow is the one-month anniversary of the signing of the FY25 continuing resolution, which slashed the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) budget by 57%. Devastatingly, funding for all epilepsy-related programs in the CDMRP was suspended and no new funding opportunities are planned for FY25.

CDMRP funding has contributed significantly to our understanding of acquired epilepsy and we are alarmed that the progress we fought to make is in jeopardy.

Tomorrow, on April 15, medical research organizations across the nation are taking part in a day of action to urge Congress to reinstate CDMRP funding for FY25 and protect this funding moving forward. We’re asking our passionate and powerful community to call and email their representatives and demand the bipartisan restoration and protection of this funding.

From Solo Effort to Community Power: Kris’s Race to CURE Epilepsy

What began as a solo mission to raise funds for epilepsy research in honor of a little boy named Silas has grown into a powerful community movement. Silas is Kris Sadens’ son and has Sturge Weber Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes seizures. After completing his first Chicago Triathlon as a part of the national Team CURE Epilepsy, Kris realized that his impact could be majorly amplified by recruiting more racers.

In August 2024, Kris completed the Chicago Triathlon alongside seven of his friends from the local softball league. With Silas, now 13, cheering from the finish line, Kris and his team swam, biked, and ran for one shared goal: advancing epilepsy research.

Kris and his friends surpassed even their expectations by raising over $80,000 for epilepsy research. Their story reminds us that with teamwork, heart, and determination, real progress is possible—not just for Silas, but for all the 1in 26 Americans who will be diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime.

Join us May 5 for CURE Epilepsy Takes Manhattan

Join us on Monday, May 5 at CURE Epilepsy Takes Manhattan, an evening of music, laughter, and behind-the-scenes Broadway stories with Miguel Cervantes and his Broadway friends!

Miguel, best known for his historic run as the titular role in the musical Hamilton, is a dedicated epilepsy research advocate and longtime champion of CURE Epilepsy, working tirelessly with his wife Kelly in memory of their daughter Adelaide.

If you love musical theater, you won't want to miss this interactive, intimate event!

Save the Date! Night of Discovery returns to Chicago September 20, 2025

Join us 9/20 for Night of Discovery, a spectacular event featuring:

🔬A window into the latest breakthroughs in epilepsy research

💜Inspiring personal stories of resilience and progress

🍸Cocktail reception, dinner and dancing with fellow supporters of groundbreaking science

More event details to follow. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact [email protected] or 312-626-1793.

Upcoming Events

CURE Epilepsy Takes Manhattan
New York City | May 5 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET

4th Annual Anthony Maffie Memorial Walk to CURE Epilepsy
Canton, MA | June 7 @ 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET

Joanna Sophia’s 6th 5k Fun Run / Walk
Flushing, New York | June 21 @ 8:00 am – 2:30 pm ET

Night of Discovery
Chicago, IL | September 20 @ 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm CT

New from the Seizing Life Podcast

Music Therapy for Neurologic Conditions: Understanding How It Works

Dr. Connie Tomaino, music therapist and co-founder of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function, discusses how music therapy is used to treat neurologic conditions and explains what we know about the power of music to heal the brain.

New from Epilepsy Explained

Epilepsy Monitoring Units, What To Expect & How To Prepare

We’re answering your questions about Epilepsy Monitoring Units (EMUs) with Dr. Padmaja Kandula, Chief of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology at Weill Cornell Medical Center. She explains what an epilepsy monitoring unit is, what parents and patients can expect, and tips for making the stay more comfortable.