AMHERST – Allicia Payne is continuing to make sure her brother's memory lives on by again participating in the Bluenose Marathon in May for the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia.
Jesse Payne, who grew up in Little River and played his minor hockey in Cumberland County and junior hockey in Oxford, died suddenly at his Dartmouth residence on Sept. 19, 2008 at age 26. He was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 16.
"So far with have 10 members walking and running in the event and we'll all be doing the 10-kilometre portion of the marathon," Payne said. "We're looking to have at least 15 members and would welcome anyone who wants to take part."
Last year, Team Jesse Payne raised several thousand dollars for the fight against epilepsy. This year, the team has raised the bar setting its goal at $6,000.
Anyone wanting to participate, can contact Payne at teamjessepayne@hotmail.com. Donations can be made to team members such as Payne and her parents, Gary and Laurie of Little River or online at: http://my.e2rm.com/TeamPage.aspx?teamID=144806&langPref=en-CA.
"We're hoping as many people as possible join our team and the effort to help fund epilepsy research and raise awareness about the disorder while remembering Jesse as the wonderful person he was," said Payne.
So far with have 10 members walking and running in the event and we'll all be doing the 10-kilometre portion of the marathon. We're looking to have at least 15 members and would welcome anyone who wants to take part. -
Payne said $500 of the fundraising will be directed toward the Jesse Payne Memorial Bursary that will be awarded to an individual living with epilepsy in Nova Scotia wanting to attend university or college.
This year will see the first bursary awarded.
Payne is also encouraging people to recognize Epilepsy Awareness Month and to celebrate Purple Day for Epilepsy (www.purpleday.org) on March 26.
Payne volunteers for the epilepsy association in Jesse's honour but also to raise awareness about a condition that sometimes doesn't have the awareness of others.
Approximately one in 100 people have epilepsy and it's the second most common neurological disorder. Despite its prevalence, it still remains one of the most neglected, feared and least understood disorder.
There are 10,000 Nova Scotians living with epilepsy.
dcole@amherstdaily.com
