Welcome to Team Emily 2026!
We are less than two months away from the annual 5K fundraiser and we’d love it if you could support us! Please join us for our 13th year supporting the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego for Sharon’s RideRunWalk on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Crown Point. It’s such a great event for our community and this year there will be live music and lots of food trucks to add to the fun.
I will never forget the first time Emily and I participated in our first support group, hosted by the amazing staff at the Epilepsy Foundation. Up until that point, which was about a year from her first seizure, we kept our struggles with epilepsy to ourselves for the most part. As we tried to manage the confusing diagnosis, medications, side effects, school and activities all on our own – the emotional toll it was taking became overwhelming. The moment Emily saw the welcoming smiles of the other families at the meeting dealing with the very same challenges, she opened up and shared her personal story. I could see the relief on her face and from that point on, she embraced her story and became an outspoken advocate.
There are so many daily challenges that come with a diagnosis of epilepsy. We are so thankful that Emily has found a medication with limited side effects that has kept her seizure free for 15 months now. One missed dose and she will have a seizure. One extra dose in a single day (she sometimes forgets and takes her meds twice) and she’ll end up in the ER with toxicity from the meds. We are lucky to have access to good medical care for her and insurance that covers her medication.
This year I have taken my advocacy to the national level and have been honored to represent California as an Advocate Champion for the Epilepsy Foundation of America. I will be heading to Washington, DC this May to train at the Public Policy Institute and speak with Congress about the many challenges the 3.4 million people with epilepsy face as well as share our personal story.
I am honored to do this work, for my daughter Emily who has been a courageous warrior for her health, as well as for those who need more support. I am in awe of the families, children and adults I have met along this journey and am inspired daily by their resilience, intelligence, talent, creativity, and self-awareness and I would be so honored if you could join us on April 26 at Crowne Point Mission Bay for the event.
Thank you all so much for your on-going support of Team Emily and the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego!
Go Team Emily 2026!
Elizabeth, Mark, Alex and Emily Eshoo
More Info:
Sharon's Ride.Run.Walk San Diego is a 15-mile Bike Ride or 5K Run/Walk that is very important to me. I am raising money to help The Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County so they can provide wraparound support services and programs at no cost to individuals and families affected by epilepsy. Please help me support this cause and spread awareness for epilepsy.
DID YOU KNOW?
- 1 in 10 people will have a seizure in their lifetime.
- 1 in 26 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy.
- 3.4 million people nationwide are affected by epilepsy.
- 50,000 San Diegans are living with epilepsy.
- Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder and affects people of all ages.
- Epilepsy means the same thing as "seizure disorders."
- Epilepsy is characterized by unpredictable seizures and can cause other health problems.
- Epilepsy is a spectrum condition with a wide range of seizure types and control varying from person-to-person.
- Public misunderstandings of epilepsy cause challenges that are often worse than the seizures.
