Brad Hunnewell is Running the Boston Marathon!

Why I'm running for Epilepsy Foundation New England

I am excited to share that I’m running the Boston Marathon this year. Having grown up in the Boston area, I remember watching the runners pass through Cleveland Circle as a child with family. The Marathon is not only a bucket list item but also a reminder of how lucky I am, and we are collectively, to be in good health. I am using this opportunity to raise awareness and support for epilepsy in honor of Teddy Herman. Teddy is a normal, happy, healthy four-year-old who was diagnosed with epilepsy shorty after birth. He is the son of a very close friend of twenty years, Tani, and her husband, Ben Herman, also a good friend.

As background on this neurological disease, half a million children live with epilepsy and four million total Americans. The primary effect of epilepsy is recurrent seizures, but the disorder can impact various aspects of health and daily function. There is no known cure today, but treatment has made living with epilepsy more manageable. The everyday burden of living with epilepsy is huge. It’s a disease that shows up in the mundane and bigger things.

Teddy cannot safely walk stairs alone. He goes to countless doctors’ appointments every month. He will not be able to swim or drive a car in the future. Yet, thanks to great parents and a strong support network, Teddy’s epilepsy has not defined his young life. He loves sports, his brother Ollie, school, and just being a normal boy. It’s heartening to see what he has already overcome and it’s with hope and optimism that I think about Teddy’s future.

My goal here is to make a real impact.

There are two hopes for this message. The first is awareness, just by taking the time to read this message you help to be part of the solution for Teddy and others who face the challenges of epilepsy. The second is participation. Whether you give $1, $100, or $100 million, being part of the solution is what matters to me. Funding helps to get closer to a cure and supports young people through Epilepsy Foundation New England. My hope is to invite a broad cross-section of friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and others to show support.

Look forward to seeing you along the Marathon course or along the way soon! Brad