Coach Jerry Kill to Host Intercepting Epilepsy Benefit to Raise Funds for the Epilepsy Foundation

Proceeds from the Event Will Fund Research of a System to Help Predict Seizures 

 

LANDOVER, MD — Former Southern Illinois University football coach Jerry Kill (“Coach Kill”) is hosting the Intercepting Epilepsy Benefit on Saturday, July 14, at the Chicago O’Hare Loews Hotel in Rosemont, IL. The event aims to raise awareness about epilepsy and seizures and raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation’s Epilepsy Innovation Institute (Ei²). Ei² is leading the charge to create an individualized seizure gauge that will allow a person with epilepsy to monitor the likelihood of a seizure on a daily basis.

“To me, seizure predictability means that on game day when I walk out onto the field, I will have peace of mind knowing that I will have the chance to control my surroundings, should a seizure come,” said Coach Kill. “As important as this is to me, it also translates to the lives of millions of people, like me, who are living with epilepsy.”

Coach Kill started having seizures in 2001 while coaching at Southern Illinois University. He has dealt with several seizures over his entire career. His seizures eventually forced him to the sidelines in 2015 when he retired from his head coaching position at the University of Minnesota. Since then, Coach Kill and his wife Rebecca have been dedicated to helping kids with epilepsy while raising awareness about epilepsy and seizure disorders.

Proceeds from the Intercepting Epilepsy Benefit will go directly to fund the Epilepsy Foundation’s My Seizure Gauge challenge, which aims to enhance prediction capabilities by better understanding the underlying environment that induces or allows for seizure activity.

The event is anticipated to draw many current and former National Football League players, including Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Hundley; Miami Dolphins tight end Marqueis Gray; Cleveland Browns cornerback Briean Boddy Calhoun; New England Patriots safety Damarius Travis; former Tennessee Titans running back David Cobb; Baltimore Ravens tight end Maxx Williams; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Myrick; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deandre Campbell, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson; Kansas City Chiefs player Eric Murray; former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Ra’Shede Hageman; and former New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott.

The Epilepsy Foundation would like to thank the following event sponsors: Soles by Sir; Adidas; Rutgers; Brian Kramer of Field Turf; and a former player of Coach Kill's, Jeff Yordon.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the event, please visit: http://bit.ly/CoachKill34.

About Epilepsy
When a person has two unprovoked seizures or one unprovoked seizure with the likelihood of more, they are considered to have epilepsy. (An unprovoked seizure is one that occurs for no known reason.) Epilepsy affects more than 3.4 million people in the U.S. and 65 million worldwide. This year, another 150,000 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite all available treatments, at least 3 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 over 50 local organizations throughout the U.S., 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 lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives. 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 epilepsy.com.
“Like” the Epilepsy Foundation on Facebook at facebook.com/epilepsyfoundationofamerica and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/epilepsyfdn.