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Woman
raises money for epilepsy
By Kevin
Selders,
The Olathe News
Ann Lorenz is on a mission, and she's looking for people to join
her.
After seeing loved ones battle with epilepsy, Lorenz is acting on the
offensive by forming the Circle of Love and Life for Epilepsy. Through
the organization, which is in its early stages, Lorenz is conducting a
number of fund-raising projects to support epilepsy wellness and
research at St. Luke's Hospital and the University of Kansas Medical
Center. "I'm an individual just trying to get started," she said.
"We're aware there's a huge need of support and research. Community
involvement is very lacking. I wanted to try to start reaching in the
community and let people know there are people interested in helping to
bring epilepsy out of the dark."
Lorenz now has two fund-raising projects, the newest of which relies of
the donation of old cell phones. Cell phones and cell phone batteries
are being collected at drop-off sites at the Olathe school district's
education center, 14160 Black Bob Road, the Kansas City Neurological
Consultants office, 4400 Broadway, Level 5, in Kansas City, Mo., and
The Olathe News, 514 S. Kansas Ave.
"I send the cell phones off to a company who pays for them, and the
money goes to the two hospital programs," she said. Another way Lorenz
is raising funds to combat epilepsy is through the sale of jewelry in
the gift shops at the University of Kansas Medical Center and St.
Luke's South. The jewelry, known as Jerrica's Jewels for Epilepsy, can
be custom made.
While Lorenz is looking for volunteers for the cell phone drive, she's
also looking for volunteers for other reasons."I'm on the trail of
trying to find volunteers who would be willing to sit with patients who
are willing to have a video EEG, which requires them to be (filmed)
24/7," she said. "These individuals either have no family or friends
who can be there for them, or they don't have the money."
Millions of people in the United States have some form of epilepsy, a
disorder characterized by recurrent disturbances of brain function that
can be associated with impairment or loss of consciousness or abnormal
movements or behavior. Notable people with the disorder include
Aristotle, Charles Dickens, Julius Caesar, St. Paul, Vincent van Gogh
and George Frederick Handel.Lorenz also encourages people to make
donations to support epilepsy research at St. Luke's Hospital and the
University of Kansas Medical Center.
Above all, Lorenz wants to get connected with others whose lives have
been affected by epilepsy."If there are people who are interested in
putting together a bike-a-thon or a long-distance run, that'd be
great," she said. "I can't do all of this alone. It would be a great
thing to have more hands and voices."
For more information, contact Lorenz at annlorenz@CircleOfLoveAndLife.com
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Dear Ann,
I wanted to congratulate you on your efforts! Way to go!
I'm so happy for what you have been able to accomplish. Thank you
for leading the way in this. We hope many people will
benefit from your work.
Those of us on
the front lines of patient care really appreciate what you are doing in
the community. This is so important and I want to encourage you
as you keep thinking of ways you can impact the community. We'll
certainly lend support as we're able.
Take care and
keep us posted.
Christi Ledo
Saint
Luke's Health System
