Sue’s Story

I know firsthand how epilepsy can change one’s life. I am the 1 in 26.

And now I’m determined to change the lives of others by sharing my story publicly for the first time and donating a $1 million gift in my will to Lily’s Fund for Epilepsy Research.

In 2013, I had my first seizure. Then more seizures came with greater frequency, leaving me mentally and physically exhausted. Daily activities and personal relationships were upended. Priorities shifted. As a business owner, CPA, and director of a bank, I worried about telling my colleagues and clients about my diagnosis. I knew the stigma associated with epilepsy. What if they didn’t have faith in my competence? Would they hesitate to trust me as a financial advisor? So I decided to keep my condition private.

That is, until I went to my first Lily’s Luau fundraiser in 2017. I was excited to see the energy, the support and most of all the research, particularly how grants had gone on to receive National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. Not only does every dollar donated to Lily’s Fund go to research, but it’s also leveraged to bring in additional funds for epilepsy research. It’s such a great investment.

Attending Lily’s Luau was kismet and my inspiration to ensure the research continues. I hope you’ll join me on a new venture to raise $5 million for epilepsy research through planned giving.

Sue Merkatoris

Badger, Businesswoman and 1 in 26