Help Us Wipe Out Encephalitis!
by Lisa Lau
$100.00
FUNDED
I am supporting Nicole's Challenge because I have encephalitis......
I was diagnosed with Encephalitis in March 2019, after 9 months of being sick & going undiagnosed. By that point, the damage was permanent. After undergoing a Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment, I scored below average on all skillsets to the point that I cannot successfully be employed. I wanted to die. Prior to getting sick, I was a successful & passionate Financial Analyst who graduated from Penn State in 2013 after spending 6.5 years of my late 40's getting my Bachelor of Finance degree with a Minor in Information Systems & Technology plus making the Dean's List! I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my husband and his ongoing support. For over a year I stayed away from going places and being around people because I was afraid of what I might say or do. Then one day, I finally accepted the cards at hand that were dealt to me and find a positive spin on it. So now, I tell people I meet that I come with a warning label, and I may slur my speech, ask you to repeat what you are explaining to me, forget what you are explaining to me, have tremors, etc. Using humor has helped people around me understand this disease better and I hope they share with others.
Please see the challenge homepage at https://www.encephalitis411.org/nicoles-challenge-fundraiser.html if you need information.
Nicole’s Challenge: The Walk to Cure Encephalitis is Encephalitis411’s signature fundraiser. For this year's special 10th anniversary edition, the theme of the challenge is Wipe Out Encephalitis.
From July 28-September 30, we invite you to join us in honoring the stories of those impacted by encephalitis, continuing the legacy of Nicole Seiler and her philanthropic family, and advancing encephalitis research, advocacy, and awareness efforts.
For some, encephalitis is fatal. Nicole tragically passed away in 2011 only days after being diagnosed with the disease. For survivors, encephalitis is a stubborn beast. It leaves its victims with an acquired brain injury that can take years to recover from, with many falling short of making a full recovery.
Yet most suffer in silence. 20,000 people are diagnosed with encephalitis in the U.S. each year, yet 8 in 10 people don’t even know it exists. Symptoms can be invisible to casual observers, leading to negative psychosocial impacts. Lack of awareness extends even to medical professionals: patients are often misdiagnosed, resulting in delayed treatment, decreased recovery potential, and worse quality of life outcomes.
Fortunately, this is a solvable problem. While a cure may remain a dot on the horizon, we are certain that we can raise the bar significantly higher on average recovery outcomes today.
That’s why Encephalitis411 was founded. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those impacted by encephalitis—not just for the future, as we work towards a cure; but for those impacted TODAY, who are often struggling to achieve optimal recovery outcomes. But we need your help to accomplish this.
We urge you to consider how you can be a part of the solution. Can you join us as a walk participant? Or can you make a donation—even just the cost of a coffee from Starbucks? Every little bit makes a difference.
Over the past decade, your generous contributions have enabled us to directly help thousands of patients, caregivers, doctors, and other community members impacted by encephalitis. Some of our most impactful services include a free support hotline, online and in-person support groups, educational webinars, and research collaborations with UCSF.
More information can be found on our Nicole's Challenge: The Walk to Cure Encephalitis homepage. For media, comments, or inquiries, please email [email protected]
Your registration or donation today will help us increase our impact and ensure that we can continue to help thousands more into the future. Click "Donate Today" at the top of the page to get started.
Under "Select Fundraiser" please indicate the person who recruited you to the challenge; or, if their name is not listed, select either "**Team Infectious Encephalitis**" or "**Team Autoimmune Encephalitis." These teams are engaged in a friendly competition to see who can raise the most funds.
Thank you!
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