About Lily's Fund
The need is great
One in 26 of us will develop epilepsy in our lifetimes.
More people suffer from epilepsy than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s Disease combined, yet epilepsy research funding totals less than half of any one of those other conditions.
Seizures affect our families, friends, neighbors, seniors, military veterans, infants and children … including a teenager named Lily. With her as our inspiration, we bring epilepsy out of the shadows, in hopes of spurring more investment in research here at the UW-Madison.
Since its inception in 2007, Lily’s Fund for Epilepsy Research has flourished, thanks to the volunteers, donors, friends, and businesses who have embraced our cause.
Scientific Advisory Committee
We are excited to have the guidance and energy of our Lily’s Fund Advisory Board to help us create and implement a strategic vision for Lily’s Fund and future epilepsy research at the University. Committee members include:
- Anjon Audhya, Associate Dean, School of Medicine and Public Health, UW-Madison
- Walter Block, Professor, Biomedical Engineering, UW-Madison
- Tracy Cabot, School of Medicine and Public Health, UW-Madison
- Sara DeTienne, UW Foundation
- Shawn Guse, President/CEO, Intuitive Biosciences
- Rama Maganti, Professor, Neurology, UW-Madison
- Sue Merkatoris, Business Owner
- Anne Morgan Giroux, Lily’s Fund
- Colleen Penwell, Lily’s Fund
- Avtar Roopra, Associate Professor, Neuroscience, UW-Madison
- Kathleen Shannon, Chair, Neurology, UW-Madison
FAQs
Goal #1: Increase Awareness of Epilepsy
We do this through Purple Day, Lily’s Lemonade Stands, Lily’s Luau and other efforts.
Goal #2: Support Those Living with Epilepsy
Lily’s Friends is a group of parents who have children with epilepsy who meet regularly to share information and experiences, ask questions of each other, and find comfort knowing we are all comrades in the same battle.
Goal #3: Raise Money for Local Research
Our major fundraiser, Lily’s Luau, was held every January from 2009-2018. This midwinter luau, where snow boots and grass skirts met for an awesome evening of music, dancing, food and an auction, had sell-out crowds for over 10 years. Equally important to raising money for epilepsy research, the event increased awareness of epilepsy and the need for more research.
Goal #4: Support Cutting-Edge Research at UW
In April of 2012, the Lily’s Fund Scientific Advisory Board met to create and implement a strategic vision for Lily’s Fund and future epilepsy research at UW-Madison.
Lily’s Fund depends on volunteer staff and advisory committees.
Our core volunteers are the glue that keeps us focused and moving forward towards our goals. Throughout the course of a year, hundreds of volunteers are involved in some aspect of Lily’s Fund. Our scientific advisory board consists of researchers, physicians and community leaders to guide our research funding.