1. Stroll for Epilepsy
SUMMARY
The following is a self-written and edited feature story published in The
Dallas Morning News highlighting the Stroll for Epilepsy's success based on
record high event participation and donations.
OUTCOME
Feature Story reached 183,330 print and 409,265 online subscribers. This
event was personally pitched to 23 relevant online and print media to
maximize event attendance and participation, which resulted in an 87
percent response rate.
23 Different Media Outlet Pitches
All-Time Record High of 5,000+ Participants
michael.stettner@gmail.com | 214-718-8027 | http://www.michaelstettner.net

2. - more -
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2013
Media Contact:
Allison M. Allison Public
Relations
214-354-4688
allison_m_allison@att.net
Stroll for Epilepsy at Dallas Zoo & Fort Worth Zoo March 23rd
Awareness, Funds Raised for Epilepsy Foundation of Texas
DALLAS (March 15, 2013) — Hosted by the Epilepsy Foundation Texas, more than 1 500
people are registered already for the Stroll for Epilepsy March 23rd
at both the Dallas Zoo and the
Fort Worth Zoo.
With a fundraising goal of $400,000, the Strolls provide the means to finance the crucially
important services provided by the Foundation—ranging from education awareness programs, to
free specialized clinical care resources and youth summer camps.
“We are lucky to have partic pants join us from all over the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex,” said
Epilepsy Foundation of Texas CEO Donna Stahlhut. “We are excited to add the Fort Worth
Stroll to our roster of events. Both Zoos are so generous to support us and host the Strolls.”
Reflecting on the impact of his son Tristan’s epilepsy diagnosis four years ago, Jason Woolsey of
Arlington, TX, who heads “Team Tristan” shared that “Everything changed overnight . . . for
the entire first year I felt like I lost my son and I missed him so much.”
Tristan is one of the 2.2 million people in America diagnosed with epilepsy, the most common
neurological condition in children. 200,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, and one in 10
people will have a seizure in their lifetime. The Epilepsy Foundation of Texas aims to lower the
statistics and provide resources for those diagnosed and their loved ones.
The “Stroll For Epilepsy” is the foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, held annually at the
Dallas Zoo, and is adding the Ft. Worth Zoo to the roster this year. Both Strolls will be held
Saturday, March 23. The Stroll strives to increase awareness and foster a supportive community
for friends and families in order to put faces to their shared stories and spread the word about a
disease often overlooked by the masses.
“The seizures were not fun, but the side effects of the meds were almost worse . . . the simple
things that most kids enjoy become difficult,” says Richardson-based Susan Sellers, captain of
Team Taylor Belle’s.
Last year, the money raised through the Dallas Stroll For Epilepsy sent 357 kids, ages 18 to 19,
to three week-long summer camps at no cost to the families. The camps provide a new
opportunity for kids with epilepsy to gain independence and overcome challenges while under
the supervision of 150 counselors and 20 medical professionals.
The Stroll also aims to detach the misperceptions about epilepsy often sensationalized by the
entertainment media for dramatic effect, and then to increase awareness about seizures and the
different types, severity and causes.

3. Stroll For Epilepsy p. 2
“Most people know about the fall on the ground kind of seizures . . .but there is so much more
than the medical part of it and the actual seizures,” says Amy Godknecht of Arlington, a fifth
year Stroll participant. Amy explains the significance of the Stroll for her daughter as “a chance
to have a special day and see that lots of people have epilepsy. She is not alone.”
The donations also fund specialized medical care at eight clinic locations in Texas, serving more
than 1,200 patients per year who receive all necessary clinic visits, diagnostic testing and
prescription drugs at no charge to the family.
Team Bethany’s Buddies member Stacy Shingler knows first-hand the critical need for
specialized medical care after her daughter Bethany tried 10 different medications, the Ketogenic
Diet and VNS surgery. “Our days and schedules revolve around our daughter’s medication
times and her doctor’s appointments,” says Stacy.
The success of the Stroll For Epilepsy stems from the unity formed throughout the event, with
200 team captains, 100 volunteer workers, and over 5,000 participants and donors contributing to
the annual fundraiser.
The entire community supported Jennifer Robinson, captain of Team Lucas, after her son Lucas
passed away from Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy one month after coming home from
Camp Spike ‘n’ Wave, where Lucas received the “Most Vocal” award.
“I have met a great community of people in and from the foundation, many of whom I’ve known
for several years and I’m glad to consider them part of my support as well,” says Jennifer.
The 2013 Strolls for Epilepsy are supported by Platinum Sponsor VNS Therapy; Gold
Sponsors Korman Marketing Group, Bank of Texas, Cook Children’s, Sam’s Club, and Arron’s;
Silver Sponsors Frito Lay, ASI Gymnastics, Upsher-Smith, Baylor University Medical Center at
Dallas, ABM, Lundbeck, Neurological Clinic of Texas; Bronze Sponsors Rotary International,
Dino-Buddies, haynesboone, UCB, Cooper & Scully, GlobalNeuroDiagnostics, Gardere; Water
Stop Sponsors Affinity Grafix, Texas Neurology Consultants, Kadane Foundation, Texas
Children’s Pediatrics, Questcor; In-Kind Sponsors The AmeriBrain, Texas Crystal Water
Company, Mattress Firm, The Richards Group and Stick It Graphics and Design.
The Foundation can be found on Facebook (ElipesyFoundationTexas), Twitter (@EFTX and
@EFTXenespanol), and YouTube (EpilepsyEFTX). For more information or to participate, visit
the following websites: http://www.strollforepilepsy.com/, http://www.eftx.org and
http://www.facebook.com/epilepsyfoundationtexas.
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