Thanks for visiting "Hannah's Bananas" page!
Because of you, Hannah’s Bananas raised over $9000 and was the top fundraising team in 2008, plus 31 people and one great dog strolled with us! Last year’s stroll was fun and invigorating as a sea of yellow T-shirts walked with us on a beautiful summer evening. And most importantly, Hannah witnessed what great people she has on her side as she lives with health issues no child should have to endure.
We’re excited to announce our 2009 goal of raising $10,000 and a team of 50 “Bananas” to Stroll with Hannah and us on August 13th at 6:30 around Lake Phalen in St. Paul. With your help we can reach our goal and provide much needed support and awareness to those living with epilepsy. We need your help. Please support our effort and be one of “Hannah’s Bananas” and contribute financially to the cause, walk with us on the stroll or do both!
Hannah is now 10-years-old and just completed 4th grade and is in her 4th year of living with Epilepsy. Since last year’s stroll she has endured many more failed medications often with awful side effects plus many more seizures in school, horseback riding and swimming, not to mention those at home. We had to stop swimming lessons because of too many seizures in the pool.
2009 has had its ups and downs thus far. Hannah was hospitalized and had a visit to the ER in February. For unknown reasons her epilepsy took a turn for the worse and Hannah was having 10-20 seizures a day and missed nearly the entire month of school. Fortunately, a newly approved medication provided a nice 3-week respite from seizures in March. Unfortunately the 3-week record was broken and she’s having intermittent seizures again. Hannah has such a good attitude; she complains about doing her chores (like any kid) but never about her health.
Hannah has begun to “feel like a magnet” with the lack of independence she has because of her health issues. But thanks to the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, she was able to attend Camp Oz. This is a special camp for kids with epilepsy that is staffed with fun counselors, excellent nurses and a skilled doctor. Hannah loved it! She got dirty, played with kids, swam, rode horses and experienced life as other kids do. When asked what her favorite part of camp was, she replied, “Freedom!!!”
Camp Oz is just one of many services designed by the foundation that educate, connect and empower people living with epilepsy. To learn more about the foundation and the wonderful services it provides, just follow the link at the left side of this page.
Please support Hannah and those living with epilepsy by helping us reach our goal of $10,000, walk with us or do both! No one should have to live with Epilepsy but for those that do, the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota is there to help with education, fun programs for kids and advocacy for research and tolerance for this terrible condition. Thanks and we hope to see you at the Stroll!
If you’re interested in joining us for the stroll, please send an email to Lisa at lisameunier@comcast.net or Paul at paulmeunier@comcast.net. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts.
Your support means more to us than we could ever convey! Please feel free to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!