DURHAM — The CEO of Epilepsy Durham Region, Dianne McKenzie, will be making the climb up Toronto’s CN Tower to raise awareness and money for people with epilepsy.
Steps for a Cause will be taking place on Saturday, April 13 to raise $10,000 to provide epilepsy services through Epilepsy Durham to the community. McKenzie also says that she hopes to raise awareness about epilepsy and eliminate the stigma surrounding it.
“The ultimate goal is to raise awareness and spread the message that if you have epilepsy you can accomplish anything,” said McKenzie.
McKenzie won’t be making the climb up the tower’s 1,776 steps alone — youth ambassador for Epilepsy Durham Region, Logan Bloschinsky, will be joining her. Bloschinsky has epilepsy, and according to McKenzie, he proves that people with epilepsy are capable.
“Our goal with our youth program is to provide purpose and self esteem,” she said. “Logan is giving them hope.”
McKenzie says while seizures are a struggle for someone with epilepsy, stigma is a major issue as well, including misconceptions and fear surrounding the disorder.
“Isolation is a scary world to live in,” she said. “We work hard to change those perceptions."
In November of 2018, Epilepsy Durham Region launched its first epilepsy clinic in the region; in the first month, the charity witnessed a 200 per cent increase in requests for service. She says while there are neurology services in Durham, there was no institution dedicated to epilepsy.
Last year, McKenzie says that her organization helped more than 32,000 patients get the epilepsy care they needed.
“There is a 10 to 20-year wait list between diagnosis and treatment,” she said. “We’re attacking that statistic.”
McKenzie encourages people to donate to Epilepsy Durham Region by visiting their website or by contacting her directly at 905-430-3090. She also urges people to educate themselves about epilepsy and how to react with kindness.
“If you know 100 people, you know someone with epilepsy,” she said. “Learn how to respond appropriately to a seizure.”
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