Welcome to projectseizureaware.com

Hi, I'm Bianca, a student-athlete...a lacrosse goalie and I also play golf. Love hanging out with my family and friends and of course my dog, Bruce. But there's one more small thing you should know about me—I have epilepsy.

During a sleepover at a friend's house, I unexpectedly had a seizure. It was a frightening experience, but my friends quickly took action and called for help. My parents rushed to my side, and I was taken to the ER, where the doctors told my family that what I had experienced was a seizure. The news was shocking, to say the least. After nearly a week in the hospital with not many confident answers, we left frustrated not knowing what was wrong with me. After finding a new neurologist, I was finally given a diagnosis, thanks to the my care team at  New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 

My medical journey was filled with EEGs, MRIs, strobe tests, bloodwork, and more. I was officially diagnosed with epilepsy. While it wasn't the news I had hoped for, my family and I were relieved to have answers.

With the help of medication and lifestyle adjustments, I've been able to manage my epilepsy. I  celebrated being one-year seizure-free in September 2023, which is an amazing milestone to celebrate when you have epilepsy! My doctor is hopeful that I'll eventually outgrow my condition!

I've recently become an Epilepsy Awareness Ambassador with the Epilepsy Foundation. My mission goes beyond fundraising; it's about educating our community on epilepsy and seizure awareness.

One of my key goals as an ambassador is to stress the importance of Seizure First Aid. If I were to have a seizure at school or on the field, would you know what to do? Would you be able to help a family member, friend, colleague, or even a stranger experiencing a seizure? If you're unsure or answered no, I urge you to join my cause by taking a Seizure First Aid training course.

My journey with epilepsy hasn't been easy but I refuse to let it stop me from pursuing my goals.  As an Epilepsy Awareness Ambassador, I'm grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in my community. Your support and commitment to helping me raise awareness by taking a Seizure First Aid course can help us create a safer world for those having a seizure or living with epilepsy. 

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

xo

Bianca