‘Pawn Star’ Rick Harrison and Music Trio Sleepy Man to Headline 9th Annual National Walk for Epilepsy

WASHINGTON – Rick Harrison, star of TV’s “Pawn Stars” and app creator of “Rick Harrison’s Trivia Challenge,” lived with devastating seizures until he was a teenager. Together with music trio Sleepy Man and thousands of people who are affected by epilepsy as well as their friends, families,and loved ones, Harrison will walk in the Epilepsy Foundation’s 9^th Annual National Walk for Epilepsy on Saturday, April 11, 2015, on the Washington Monument grounds in Washington, D.C.

“I’m passionate about the work the Epilepsy Foundation does to help people impacted by seizures because I understand what they are going through,” Harrison said. “I’m proud to lead the National Walk to help raise awareness and much-needed funds for the cause, and I can’t wait to walk together on April 11.”

The Walk’s featured musical guest is music trio Sleepy Man. Comprising three brothers, Tommy Mizzone on guitar and harmonies, Robbie Mizzone on fiddle and lead vocals, and Jonny Mizzone on banjo, the band will be filming a music video for “Man in Your Corner” live at the Walk. The teen trio penned the song as a tribute to their younger brother Sam, who lives with epilepsy.

Epilepsy — a medical condition characterized by recurring seizures — can affect anyone of any age at any time. Nearly 3 million people in the U.S. are living with epilepsy and seizures, and 1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy during their lifetime. For more than one-third of people living with epilepsy, their seizures resist all forms of treatment and can be extremely severe and debilitating. Many more live with serious side effects, including diminished awareness, perception, reasoning, and judgment as the price of seizure control.

“The National Walk for Epilepsy is our annual family reunion and a reminder that we are not alone on this journey,” said Philip M. Gattone, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. “We are thrilled to welcome Rick Harrison, Sleepy Man, and everyone who will be participating in 2015’s Walk, and are grateful for their support. Together we can break down barriers and help people with seizures live to their fullest potential.”

The National Walk has raised nearly $10 million to advance access to care, fund new therapies research, and educate people about epilepsy and seizures since its inception in 2007.

“The Walk is the country’s preeminent epilepsy awareness event, and the Foundation is proud to be an unwavering ally in raising awareness, providing support, and accelerating new therapies and treatments in a timeframe that matters,” said Warren Lammert, chair of the Epilepsy Foundation’s board of directors.

National Walk for Epilepsy participants are encouraged to visit Walkers’ Village, where partner organizations and sponsors will offer information, giveaways, and an “Ask the Experts” Q&A session with top neurologists. The family-friendly event also features a Kids Tent with balloon animals and art projects, and a fun Social Media Lounge (presented by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals) where participants can receive free 4 x 6 prints of photos they’ve snapped and shared on Instagram using #EpilepsyWalk or #together4epilepsy.

The National Walk for Epilepsy is supported by our generous partners Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Eisai Inc.; UCB; Upsher-Smith Laboratories; Acorda Therapeutics; Cyberonics; and Lundbeck. The SUDEP Memorial Wall is presented by the SUDEP Institute and the Danny Did Foundation.  

For more information or to register for the Walk, please visit www.WalkforEpilepsy.org. Pre-registration is required and costs $35 per adult walker and $20 for each child 12 and under. Those who are unable to join the walkers in Washington, D.C., are encouraged to sign up as a virtual walker and walk in their own communities on April 11.

About Epilepsy

When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, they have epilepsy, which affects nearly 3 million people in the United States and 65 million people worldwide. This year, another 150,000 people in our country will be diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite all available treatments, four out of 10 people with epilepsy continue to experience uncontrolled seizures while many more experience less than optimal seizure control.

About the Epilepsy Foundation

The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with nearly 50 affiliated organizations throughout the United States, has led the fight against seizures since 1968. The Foundation is an unwavering ally for individuals and families impacted by epilepsy and seizures. The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is to stop seizures and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), find a cure, and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy, and research to accelerate ideas into therapies. The Foundation works to ensure that people with seizures have the opportunity to live their lives to their fullest potential. For additional information, please visit www.epilepsy.com.

“Like” the Epilepsy Foundation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/epilepsyfoundationofamerica and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/epilepsyfdn.

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