By Deron Hamel

Epilepsy Durham Region executive director Dianne McKenzie says an upcoming fundraising walk will be an opportunity for the agency to build stronger community ties as well as raise funds and awareness of epilepsy.

Epilepsy Durham Region is one of eight grassroots organizations in Durham Region participating in this year’s annual Walk for Your Charity in Oshawa on Sunday (June 14). The event helps participants raise money and awareness of the organizations they represent.

The event, hosted by the Durham Community Foundation, is being held at Oshawa’s Lakeview Park. The main part of the event will see participating teams circle a 1.5-kilometre loop in the park.

Epilepsy Durham Region is calling its participation in the event the Walk of Courage.

McKenzie says an exciting aspect of this event is the fact that so many not-for-profit organizations are collaborating.

“Walking together, there will be a real sense of community and unity,” she tells Voices of Epilepsy. “This is really an opportunity for us to mesh with other agencies. So our voices are stronger.”

Another exciting part of the event will be an appearance from Arnold Clarke. Clarke, who is living with epilepsy and who has been involved with Epilepsy Durham Region for more than 10 years, will be completing the final leg of a 300-kilometre fundraising walk he began on May 31.

To date, he has raised about $2,700 for Epilepsy Durham Region.

McKenzie says Clark has been a dedicated volunteer to Epilepsy Durham Region, adding he received the Queen’s Jubilee award in 2013.

“Along with raising funds and awareness through his Walk of Courage, Arnold also steps up with many other volunteering initiatives, including making monthly trips to businesses throughout Durham Region, collecting donations from coin boxes, and lending his time to local churches and Sunday schools,” she says.

McKenzie says Epilepsy Durham Region is hoping to raise $3,000 at the event, but she adds that raising awareness of epilepsy is equally important.

More than 300,000 Canadians and more than 50 million people worldwide are diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime.

“With the sheer number of people living with epilepsy, and the impact this disease has on an individual and their families, our goal is to ensure that local community support is available to address the catastrophic effects of this (condition),” McKenzie says. “Participation and donations for (the walk) will help this organization ensure that local support is available.”

Registration for the event has closed, however, people can still come down to cheer on participants. Click here for more information.

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