Don’t Miss Rock the Block for Pediatric Epilepsy Research

It was a sheer act of serendipity that brought Kathy Dodd and Stacey Pigott together. About 4 years ago, Pigott moved to the same Wilmette street where Dodd lives.

The neighbors soon learned that they shared one common thread: They are mothers of children with epilepsy.

Frustrated by the lack of research dedicated to pediatric epilepsy, the women were inspired to do something about it. In 2008 they started Rock the Block for Pediatric Epilepsy Research, which is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, October 16 at the Chicago Illuminating Company.

Though dinner will be served, the event promises to be more of a party and less of a formal sit-down affair. A ticket priced at $137 will buy you a night of drinks, dancing—set to music performed by the ‘80s tribute band, The Breakfast Club—and a silent auction and raffle.

“The event is not your traditional fundraiser,” co-chair Dodd says. “While [Stacey and I] think both our stories are sad, we want people to feel empowered by the cause, not be saddened by what’s happened to us.”

The $137 donation will fund one day of a year-long grant awarded in the name of pediatric epilepsy research. All proceeds benefit CURE (Citizens United in Research for Epilepsy), an organization which Dodd and Pigott had been involved with before meeting each other.

Dodd, whose 12-year-old daughter, Stacy, has epilepsy, has served as a CURE board member and helped develop the proposal that earned the organization bragging rights as the primary beneficiary of Northwestern’s 2007 Dance Marathon.

Rock the Block’s mission is to raise money and awareness for pediatric epilepsy. According to the CURE website, epilepsy receives less funding per patient in the U.S., compared with other neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and autism.

Epilepsy has been around since ancient times, but little progress has been made. It’s important to recognize that it’s a devastating disease, with a stigma attached, says co-chair Pigott, whose 9-year-old son, Evan, has epilepsy.

“Doctors need more weapons. They need other options,” says Pigott, who sits on the CURE research board. “We need to understand the mechanisms of epilepsy better. The faster we can stop [the disease], the better the outcome for the child, not just for life or death—it’s a social issue.”

More than 400 people attended Rock the Block’s first benefit in 2008, raising $150,000. The co-chairs expect close to 500 people at this year’s event, where guests can make specific donations to help scientists and doctors find a cure for epilepsy. For example, you can sponsor one week of research for $959 or designate money to purchase items such as a lab coat or microscope.

In addition to funding research, CURE has also helped change the dialogue in the global epilepsy community, Pigott says. The organization has also impacted her on a personal basis. “CURE gave me an outlet for grief,” she says. “In a disorder that is so unpredictable, it gave us some kind of structure.”

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