Event Information

Where: Thompson Memorial Park and the Amarillo Zoo

Thompson Memorial Park, Pavilion #17
2401 Dumas Drive
Amarillo, TX  79107
 
Amarillo Zoo
700 Camanchero Trail
Amarillo, TX 79107
 

9:00am: Registration and Check-in

10:00am: Opening Ceremony and Fundraising Awards

10:15am: Seizure First Aid Demonstration

10:30am: Walk Countdown*

Noon: Party concludes. Enjoy your time at the zoo.

*Feel free to soak up the excitement of our walk countdown and make your way to the zoo whenever it suits you. The park party keeps rolling until Noon, so enjoy every moment!

 

About the Texas Epilepsy Walk

Texas Epilepsy Walk benefits Epilepsy Foundation Texas, which provides services for people of all ages with all types of epilepsies. At our walk event, please enjoy children's activities, music, food, drinks, and more!  Participants are welcome to stay and enjoy the zoo for the remainder of the day.

 

Chairs: Bryan Johnson and Stephanie Taylor

Additional Walk Committee Members: DeAna Lucas and Claudia Crunelle

Meet Our Walk Ambassadors

Leading the Way in Care, Community, and Hope!

A Champion of Hope

Diagnosed with generalized tonic-clonic seizures at age four, I personally understand the challenges students face without adequate support. This lifelong journey has fueled my 25-year dedication to this cause.

In my role, I advance the Foundation’s mission through outreach at health fairs, wellness days, religious organizations, and school districts. My primary focus is the expansion of seizure first aid training. I engaged with superintendents to ensure schools utilize the free training and services provided by the Epilepsy Foundation Texas, and I maintain my certification through the Epilepsy Foundation of America to provide in-person training for school personnel and community groups.

My advocacy efforts include:

  •   Participating in awareness walks across Amarillo, Lubbock, San Antonio, Dallas, Tyler, and Houston.
  •   Performance in "The Kids on the Block" puppet program to promote epilepsy acceptance among elementary students.
  •   Supporting epilepsy education within the TEKS curriculum.
  •   Serving as a guest speaker at special events.
  •   Facilitating the annual placement of the Purple Ribbon at the courthouse during National Epilepsy Awareness Month in November.

A significant milestone was assisting with the passage of Sam’s Law in 2019, which mandates seizure recognition and first aid training for school personnel. Following this achievement, I published my memoir, "Loving Presence," to document my experiences and advocacy.

Serving as a volunteer and a member of the Board of Directors has allowed me to witness the direct impact of our initiatives firsthand. I remain dedicated to using my experience to advocate for and improve the lives of those living with epilepsy.

Inspiring Unity and Understanding

Hannah’s epilepsy journey began at just three years old. What started as brief periods of unusual behavior quickly became something much bigger when her doctor suggested she may be experiencing seizures. At the time, our understanding of epilepsy was limited to tonic-clonic seizures — and that wasn’t what we were seeing. A week later, an EEG confirmed she was having atypical absence seizures.

Over the past eight years, Hannah’s epilepsy has evolved to include multiple seizure types, including generalized onset seizures with focal evolution, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and tonic seizures as her primary types. For many years, we had no clear explanation for why her seizures were happening. Recently, however, emerging research has begun linking a genetic mutation she carries to cases of epilepsy — a breakthrough made possible through the generosity of donors and the support of the epilepsy community.

Because of that same support, Hannah was able to attend Camp Spike N Wave for the first time last year, free of charge. There, she connected with other children who understand life with epilepsy. It was an incredible, empowering experience, and she is already looking forward to returning this summer.

Hannah’s Irish twin brother, Daxton, has embraced his role as an epilepsy advocate and caretaker. He is passionate about raising awareness, educating others about different seizure types and seizure first aid, and helping reduce the stigma surrounding epilepsy — especially among youth.

General Information

Where do the funds go?

Every dollar raised during the Amarillo Epilepsy Walk at Thompson Memorial Park and the Amarillo Zoo stays right here in our community to provide programs and services at no cost to individuals and families living with epilepsy. Your contribution fuels three main pillars of our mission:

1. Clinical & Medical Excellence

We are bringing specialized care to your doorstep.

  • The Mobile Clinic: Your donations fund the operation of our new mobile clinic van, providing neurological care to underserved areas in West Texas.

  • Patient Navigation: We fund resource navigators who provide one-on-one case management, helping families navigate insurance, school accommodations, and specialist referrals.

2. Safety & Community Education

We are making Amarillo the safest city in Texas for those with seizures.

  • Seizure First Aid (SFA): We provide free SFA certification to teachers, school nurses, first responders, and local businesses.

  • Awareness Kits: We supply newly diagnosed families with the tools and educational resources they need to manage epilepsy safely at home.

3. Youth & Family Programs

We provide spaces where kids can just be kids.

  • The Gift of Camp: We send children to specialized summer camps where they receive 24/7 medical supervision while participating in traditional camp activities.

  • Support Groups: We host monthly connection circles for parents, siblings, and adults living with epilepsy to ensure no one fights this journey alone.

Do I have to register to walk?

Yes, all participants must be registered to walk. You can register as an individual, create a team, or join an existing team. We encourage people to sign up as a team, as this seems to be more fun from what we have gathered from past participants, but we welcome all individual walkers.

Do I need to register my children to walk?

Yes, all children, including babies, must be registered. Parents/guardians can register children online by clicking 'add a child or additional guests' after you have completed your online registration form. 

Is there a registration fee?

Yes. To help cover the cost of the event and ensure every dollar raised goes directly to our programs, registration fees are as follows:

  • All Attendees: $15 (Includes full-day Amarillo Zoo admission and an official Texas Epilepsy Walk T-shirt).

Early Bird Special: Register by March 7 and use code Early Bird to receive $5 off your registration!

Our Commitment to Accessibility: The Epilepsy Foundation Texas is committed to ensuring that every family can join us for this day of Community, Care, and Hope. If the registration fee is a barrier for your family this year, please reach out to us at Cherie Watson, Resource Navigator, cwatson@eftx.org, or speak with your EFTX clinic coordinator about our Mission Scholarship program.

Would the event ever be cancelled?

*If the event is cancelled for health, weather, or safety reasons, we will treat your contribution as a donation to the agency.  No refunds will be given, and the event will not be rescheduled. 

Still have questions?

Check out our FAQ page.

 

*If the event is cancelled for health, weather, or safety reasons, we will treat your contribution as a donation to the agency.  No refunds will be given, and the event will not be rescheduled.