Last year's members of “Andrea's Army”: front row (from left): Jessie and Jameson McNeil, Colleen and Liam McLafferty, Madge Keehn with Farnsworth, all of Erdenheim; Amy McCawley, and Abby Keehn of Ambler; Suzanne and Eric Halstrom, of Blue Bel; Stephanie McNeil, of Erdenheim. Middle row: Lanning McNeil, Caitlin McLafferty, of Erdenheim; Caroline and Laurie Juelke, of Fort Washington; Sean, Tracy and Bernie McLafferty, of Erdenheim; John McCawley and Paul Keehn, of Ambler. Third row: Thomas and Eric Juelke, of Fort Washington; and Jim Griffin, of Wyndmoor. The team walks in memory of Andrea Keehn (Madge's daughter), who had epilepsy all of her life and died in 2005.[/caption]

More than 1,500 children, families and doctors will lace up their sneakers on Saturday, June 20, in Chestnut Hill, for the Summer Stroll for Epilepsy, benefiting the Epilepsy Foundation Eastern Pennsylvania (EFEPA.)

The Summer Stroll is a five-mile walk that raises awareness for epilepsy, which affects 2.9 million children and adults nationwide.

The Summer Stroll mobilizes the local epilepsy community to share its experiences with the public while raising funds for the foundation’s free programs and services. This includes first aid trainings for schools, law enforcement and emergency responders, a summer camp for children with seizures and research to find a cure for epilepsy. Since the first event in 1997 the Summer Stroll has raised nearly $1 million for services and research that help individuals and families living with epilepsy. Knowing the excitement and dedication of the community, the Foundation hopes to raise $140,000 this year to further the cause.

The Summer Stroll kicks off at 8 a.m. and walkers will hit the path by 9 a.m. Starting on Forbidden Drive at Northwestern Avenue, the route is a five mile loop along the beautiful Wissahickon creek for two and half miles with a turnaround at the Valley Green Inn. After the Stroll participants will enjoy a light picnic lunch and family and children activities. The Summer Stroll is stroller, handicap and dog-friendly.

There are many ways to get involved in the Summer Stroll. Participants can register as an individual, a virtual walker or collectively as a team. Businesses and organizations are also welcome to sign up and show their support. There is no fee to register, however fundraising is a crucial to the event’s success.

Join the fight to end epilepsy by registering at www.summerstroll.org. For more information about the EFEPA visit our website, www.efepa.org. Special thanks to our T-shirt sponsor Penn Medicine and our Team Captain sponsors Eisai and Supernus.