Epilepsy Ontario has launched a crowdsourcing initiative to raise money in support of epilepsy awareness, and those who donate will have their name seen by millions of people.
Through the crowdsourcing site Giveffect, the organization is aiming to raise $5,000 during the 13th annual Targa Newfoundland, a five-day, 2,200-kilometre road rally held Sept. 14-19 across paved roads in the eastern and central regions of Newfoundland.
For a $25 pledge, people will get their name placed on the Drive for Epilepsy Awareness rally car, a modified 1999 Honda Civic with a unique Acura engine, which will be driven by Epilepsy Ottawa president Peter Andrews, an experienced racer. The car is painted purple, the internationally recognized colour for epilepsy awareness.
All donations will go to Epilepsy Ontario.
Andrews and a friend came up with the idea to enter the race in support of Epilepsy Ottawa and extended the opportunity to Epilepsy Ontario. Andrews, whose daughter is living with epilepsy, says the event is an opportunity to combine two of his passions — racing and raising epilepsy awareness.
Andrews brought his idea to Epilepsy Ontario executive director Rozalyn Werner-Arcé who was encouraged by the opportunity a race car driving for epilepsy awareness presents. Targa Newfoundland is expected to attract approximately 100,000 live spectators as well as 240 million television viewers worldwide. More than 250,000 people are expected to read about the event via social-media sites and through online coverage.
“The idea of using crowdsourcing really creates something that multiple stakeholders can get behind,” Andrews says. “Roz and I both thought that this event has the kind of cachet that might get the interest of a lot of people and get them involved.”
People who donate to the Drive for Epilepsy Awareness will also receive regular updates via e-mail about Andrews’ progress in the race. Hopefully, Andrews says, people will then share the information with their friends and family as well as social-media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, which will help raise awareness.
The Drive for Epilepsy Awareness is Epilepsy Ontario’s first crowdsourcing initiative. Werner-Arcé says the maiden venture into crowdfunding represents an exciting opportunity for the organization.
“This is a great chance to raise awareness about epilepsy and engage a new group of people,” she says.
Click here to donate to Epilepsy Ontario.
Click here to support Epilepsy Ottawa.
Writer: Deron Hamel
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