Endurance for Epilepsy: Joe & Erin Hike the Appalachian Trail

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Joe Vlasek and Erin McShea are bound for another adventure, and this time for a great cause. This year we've decided to tackle the Appalachian Trail. The trail has been a major challenge that we have wanted to accomplish , and considering both of us have the opportunity to go for it….why not?! We will be starting in the mountains of Maine, hiking through the mud season in Vermont, swatting mosquitoes (and other things) in New Jersey, and trekking 500 miles in Virginia, chimney tops in the Smokey's, all while seeking the beautiful views in Carolina. We welcome all and anyone that would like to meet us along the way! We will be tracking our adventure through this Facebook Page with continuing updates; you will know where we are as we go!

Other than this ridiculous challenge being on our bucket list, we are doing this special hike on the Appalachian Trail to raise awareness for Epilepsy, and to honor my siblings who both suffer from a seizure disorder. My sister, Kristin has had Epilepsy for 12 years and my brother, Justin, has suffered with Epilepsy for 6 years.

Kristin and Justin have figured out how to live daily with this condition and also turn it into a positive by working with the Danny Did Foundation and being on their Young Professional Board. This Foundation focuses on Epilepsy Awareness and raising money for families to receive devices that will help detect seizures quicker and alarm their loved ones immediately if they are having a seizure. All of the funds raised during our journey will benefit the Danny Did Foundation, and will provide seizure detection devices that go to families all over the world. Check out the Danny Did Foundation's website: www.dannydid.org for more information.

Throughout our adventure we will be posting photos, videos and updates to the Facebook page so that you can follow our journey and help support our cause by raising money and spreading epilepsy awareness. Any suggested donation is greatly appreciatead and will help us get to our goal which is to help 5 families affected by epilepsy to receive these seizure devices.

Thank you for listening/reading and we can't wait to share these moments with you. - Erin & Joe

UPDATE: After hiking 800 miles across six states and 13 (!) mountain peaks, Erin and Joe have returned safely to Chicago. They spent 75 days and nights in the great outdoors as a show of love for Erin's siblings. Their incredible physical feat is over for now, but their goal to reach $8,000 - or $10 per mile - carries on as friends and strangers alike learn of their story and give generously to this campaign. Please help Erin and Joe hit their mark as a show of gratitude for all they have done!

ABOUT EPILEPSY:

Epilepsy affects nearly 3 million people in the United States and 65 million people worldwide. One in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy during their lifetime. Seizures can be fatal – more people die as a result of seizures than from fires and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) combined – and thousands of deaths occur annually from SUDEP, status epilepticus (prolonged seizures) and other seizure-related causes such as drowning and other accidents. SUDEP is described by the National Institutes of Health as the most common epilepsy-related cause of death.

ABOUT DANNY DID FOUNDATION:

Founded in 2010 by Chicagoans Mike and Mariann Stanton after the sudden death of their four-year-old son Danny, the Danny Did Foundation's primary mission is to prevent deaths caused by seizures. The organization's name originates from the last line of Danny Stanton's obituary, written by his dad: "Please go and enjoy your life. Danny did." To learn more, visit www.dannydid.org.