Seizure-Response Dogs for those with Epilepsy

We are proud to let you know that we just provided our 59th seizure-response dog grant.  We cannot express our gratitude for the generous support you have provided.

The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation (CHF) is a leader in providing grants for seizure response dogs and in placing monitoring equipment in the home, allowing families throughout the country access to a service they may otherwise miss.  When formed in 2009, CHF was the first organization in the United States to provide grants for seizure response dogs, and continues today to provide the highest level of funding amongst other organizations.

In addition to our Globalgiving campaigns, CHF holds two major fundraisers each year.  On, May 2, 2014, we will hold its annual gala at The Curtis Ballroom located at Comedy Works South in Greenwood Village, CO. This year, our theme is Comedy for Canines and our headliner for the evening will be Kevin Fitzgerald, best known for his 10 seasons on the popular Animal Planet show, Emergency Vets. Kevin is a great comedian and his passion for making people laugh is surpassed only by his unwavering dedication to all creatures great and small.  If you are in the area, we would love you to join us.  For more information or to register, please visit www.ComedyforCanines.org.

Every fall, the Chelsea Hutchison Foundations hosts STOMP! (formerly Chelsea's Epilepsy Walk for SUDEP Awareness), an epilepsy walk for Epilepsy and SUDEP awareness. The fundraiser is currently held in six cities across the country (Littleton, CO, Wichita, KS, WInchester, VA, Woodbridge, VA, Eldon, MO, Northfield, IL), and expands to new cities every year. Nine to ten cities are expected to be added this year alone.  Watch for details.  There may be an organized walk near you!

Thank you again so much for your continued support!  You are making a big difference

Links:

• Chelsea Hutchison Foundation Facebook
• 2013 A Year in Photos

Thank you again for contributing to our project and for allowing us to grant comfort and hope to those living with seizures.  Because of you and others like you, we have just paid our 55th seizure-response dog grant.   In addition, we have now provided over 160 seizure monitors.  

Epilepsy affects over 3 million Americans of all ages - more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's disease - combined.  Almost 500 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed every day and it is estimated that 50,000 Americans die from seizures and seizure-related causes every year in the United States.  Many parents and caregivers watch their loved ones seize 80-100 times a day.  

In September, we completed our 4th Annual Chelsea's Epilepsy Walk for SUDEP Awareness.  What started out as a small gathering of good friends and family in Littleton, CO, has grown to organized walks in (6) locations across the United States.   We have been approached by groups in (4) additional States for 2014's walk.  We will be changing the name of the walk to STOMP! out SUDEP and Epilepsy.  Watch for a walk in your area.

CHF has been asked to be one of the National Co-Hosts of the 2nd Annual Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland Resort, 2014.  We attended the 1st Annual last month, in fact, due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, we were able to take (2) families with us who might not otherwise have ever had the opportunity to go.  It is estimated that there were approximately 10,000 visiting the Park that day, 1,000 of whom were sporting specially branded purple tshirts raising epilepsy awareness.

Links:

• Chelsea Hutchison Foundation Facebook Page