Remembering Lives Lost to Epilepsy
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2 min readNovember is Epilepsy Awareness Month, and we're honoring everyday warriors in the fight against epilepsy.
November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, and it’s a time to remember that sometimes, epilepsy takes lives. Not everyone realizes that epilepsy is as potentially deadly as it is, but while most people with epilepsy won’t die from it, thousands do each year. Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) happens in about one out of every 1000 cases of epilepsy every year, taking the lives of people with epilepsy who are otherwise healthy.
Death from epilepsy has been in the news this year. In July, Disney Channel star Cameron Boyce died from a seizure in his sleep. The 20-year-old had epilepsy, and doctors confirmed that SUDEP was responsible for his death.
More recently, “Hamilton” star Miguel Cervantes’ three-year-old daughter, Adelaide, died in October after suffering a severe form of epilepsy for most of her short life. Cervantes and his wife, Kelly, are supporters of Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE), which funds much-needed research into a disease that still isn’t fully understood. In 2017, Cervantes recorded the song “’Til the Calm Comes,” with proceeds benefitting CURE.
Miguel and Kelly Cervantes aren’t working alone in the fight to find a cure for epilepsy. All over the world, people whose lives have been touched by epilepsy are raising money and awareness. In observation of Epilepsy Awareness Month, we’re sharing some recent obituaries for some of the everyday warriors in this fight. Some were living with epilepsy and others were doctors working on the front lines — but they’re all united in requesting memorial donations to epilepsy research.
Cathleen Jo Kilburn: “She was diagnosed with epilepsy approximately 14 years ago. However, she had no intention of letting a seizure stand in her way and refused to change her lifestyle. She subsequently swam several Peaks to Portland, often medaling in her age group; she continued her triathlons and again often won medals, placing high in her age group.” Memorial donations are requested to The Epilepsy Foundation of New England, 650 Suffolk Street #405, Lowell, MA 01854.
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