Kate's first seizure struck when she was just 4 1/2 months old. After testing and more seizures, she was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome at 8 months old. That first year saw seven calls to 911, seven ER visits, five overnight hospital stays, and one stint in the NICU on a respirator.

While we have found some seizure control using a cocktail of medications, Kate still has seizures most days. She experiences multiple seizure types and requires 24/7 monitoring. It has also led to cognitive and physical disabilities, behavioral problems, and sleep issues.

The Dravet Syndrome Foundation not only supports families dealing with this syndrome, but it also raises millions that goes directly to research. There are some really promising gene therapy trials going on right now that could not just provide some control but actually alter the source of the syndrome, which is a mutation of the SCN1Agene. We need to continue to fund these critical research projects.

Our hope is that someday, Kate may be able to live without seizures and without them, have a chance at more rapid developmental growth. Please consider helping us reach our annual goal this Thanksgiving. Thank you!