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Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy

#GivingTuesday #mugsforadelaide

By Sara Yaniga, Macaroni Kid Chicago (Midtown) November 27, 2018


I have spent my whole life involved with nonprofits.  That’s not an exaggeration - when I was a child my family was heavily involved with our local chapter of the National Kidney Foundation.  My father received support from their services as he underwent years of dialysis and multiple transplants, and my mother went from volunteer to employee for the NKF.  This all meant that my snow days, school holidays and sometimes weekends were often spent stuffing envelopes, filing papers, making copies or taking tickets at an event - learning the ins and outs of volunteering at a young age.  Over time I have been a volunteer, an employee, and many times BOTH when resources are especially short.  

Giving Tuesday, the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving, is a great way to remember what we are thankful for in our lives and give a little to those who need.  There is no shortage of not-for-profits in our community and it’s always nice to find an organization with a mission that aligns with your personal story and beliefs. Children’s health and well-being is a constant theme in my life and I would like to introduce you to CURE.

Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, or CURE, was founded 20 years ago by Susan Axelrod and a group of parents of children with epilepsy.  Since its creation, they have raised more than $50 million and funded over 200 projects in 15 different countries.  All from their office right here in Chicago.  Epilepsy is a disorder that affects 65 million people and progress toward a cure has been slow.  Despite affecting more people than cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s combined it receives less federal funding per patient than each of these.  A number of factors can cause seizures - including infectious disease, genetics, trauma, tumors, brain abnormalities and sometimes the reason is unknown.  

In my life, I have cared for babies who have suffered epileptic seizures from physical trauma, brain abnormalities, and “unknown” reasons. I also have friends who have children who battle seizures and have spent years trying new medications and procedures to help control them.  When I became the publisher for Macaroni Kid I was quickly introduced to a local campaign for CURE called #mugsforadelaide and I knew I wanted to help somehow.  This #GivingTuesday, during Epilepsy Awareness month, please consider the mission of CURE as one to support - either with a donation, by volunteering or by purchasing a bag of Fairgrounds Coffee, creator of Adelaide’s Blend, who donates 20% of the proceeds from the sales of this coffee to CURE.



Chicago: Enter to Win a HAMILTON VIP Experience and Spread Epilepsy Awareness
Enter the #MugsForAdelaide giveaway for the chance to win two tickets to the Chicago production of HAMILTON, as well as a backstage tour with Miguel Cervantes!
Chicago businesses are serving Adelaide’s Blend coffee during Epilepsy Awareness Month to spread awareness around the critical need for a cure. This coffee is named in honor of Adelaide Cervantes, daughter of HAMILTON Chicago star Miguel Cervantes and CURE board member Kelly Cervantes. Adelaide has infantile spasms, a rare and severe form of epilepsy.
Fairgrounds Coffee, the creator of Adelaide’s Blend, donates 20% of the proceeds from the sales of this coffee to CURE. (Until November 30th)


Learn More

Participating businesses:
Aubergine by Purple Monkey, Bubbles Academy, Bucktown Music
Building Blocks Toy Store, Cocoon Care, enerGEEwhizz
Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea, Fresh Market, Bucktown
Goldfish Swim School
Havlan & West, KidCon, Lori K Sapio Photography
Little Beans Cafe, MommyCon, Morgan Mehalic Designs
NannyMomRhonda, Parent & Co., Play Logan Square & Play Lincoln Park
Purple Monkey Playroom, Sara Leans Out, Sod Room
The Laboratory, Third Coast Birth, Virtu, Wishcraft Workshop