'Lemonade for Livy' Epilepsy Cure Campaign Takes a Stand

The Epilepsy Foundation, based in Landover, Md., is about to get a burst of lemony sunshine – and refreshing support – thanks to the 2016 global fundraising campaign “Lemonade for Livy”.

From July 29-31, thousands of kids and adults are expected to participate by hosting their own home-grown lemonade stands to raise money and find a cure for epilepsy.

People who have experienced two unprovoked seizures, or one unprovoked seizure with the likelihood of more, are considered to have epilepsy. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, three million people in the U.S. have epilepsy; 300,000 of them are children under age 15.

Additionally, an estimated 65 million people worldwidel struggle with the disese, and this year another 150,000 epilepsy cases will be diagnosed. Despite all available treatments, four out of 10 people with epilepsy continue to experience uncontrolled seizures; many more experience less than optimal seizure control.

Over the past two years, the Lemonade for Livy stands program raised consciousness and concern about epilepsy, thanks to participants in all 50 U.S. states and four countries who hosted a stand over the last weekend of July. All told, more than 200 stands raised $60,000 for research.

Eleven-year-old Olivia (Livy) Scheinman is the inspiration and symbol behind the “Lemonade for Livy” movement created by her family’s organization “Livys Hope”. Since birth, Livy’s life has been plagued by the damaging effects of epilepsy. She endured multiple major brain surgeries; but seizures persist.

Lemonade for Livy, launched in 2011 with one neighborhood lemonade stand, has rapidly expanded into a global campaign.

Participants who register to hold a lemonade stand in honor of Livy or someone they know with epilepsy will receive:
• An emailed starter kit with tips for success and fundraising tools and ideas.
• A fundraising webpage to collect donations online from people near and far.
• Email updates and support leading up to the event to help participants ensure a successful and fun lemonade stand.

Anyone can register to host a lemonade stand anytime during the summer. Visit http://Epilepsy.com/LemonadeForLivy for details.

This year, the target objective for Lemonade for Livy is $50,000. The money will directly support research by the Epilepsy Foundation for the discovery of new and better epilepsy treatments and therapies.

Shortly after birth, Livy had her first seizure and was diagnosed with a brain malformation resulting in multifocal partial epilepsy. Though unable to speak, Livy, with help from her twin sister Hailey and her entire family, is dedicated to finding a cure for epilepsy