SANFORD HEALTH 2021 IMPACT REPORT

UNITED IN EPILEPSY WALKS The 2021 United In Epilepsy Regional Walks raised awareness of epilepsy in eight communities and culminated in our Twin Cities walk at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota. These celebrations of the epilepsy community included highlights of people within that community living with epilepsy and family activities. Our Why I Walk Wall invited people to share their inspiration to walk. Color-coded bracelets identified each person’s relationship to epilepsy, those who love someone with epilepsy, those who have epilepsy, and those who were walking in memory of someone they lost due to epilepsy. Participants at our new locations were thrilled to have this event “so close to home” and meet others in their community impacted by epilepsy. We are excited to both grow these events and add new locations in 2022.

1,438

$261,281

REGISTERED WALKERS

RAISED TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY

Total Walkers: Location Breakdown

Fargo/Moorhead: 205

Mankato: 48*

Duluth: 66

St. Cloud: 254

Bemidji: 48*

Marshall: 40*

*new location in 2021

Rochester: 163

Twin Cities: 614

UNITED IN EPILEPSY WALKS As a PARTNER, Sanford Health received...

PRE-WALK 

Your logo with click-thru URL on EFMN’s event webpage



Your logo in pre-event emails

DAY OF/POST WALK 

15,250 TOTAL PAGE VIEWS

BY THE NUMBERS With the EFMN Walk page at 4,815 views and the OneCause Event and Registration Page at 10,435 views, there was a total of 15,250 views. Additionally, 464 individuals were reached with the “Thanks to Our Sponsors” Facebook mentions. A combined 28,735 emails were sent to our community—in 64 different emails—including walk invitations, registration links, event details, and thank you messages.

Verbal recognition during walk

64

WALK-SPECIFIC EMAILS

IMPACT OF YOUR SUPPORT

SANFORD HEALTH’S IMPACT

Sanford Health’s sponsorship improves the physical, social, and emotional wellbeing of people impacted by epilepsy through EFMN’S core programs, including: Information Services provides one-on-one support to individuals navigating life with epilepsy by assessing individual needs and providing customized resources. In 2021, 1,031 individuals have received individualized support navigating education, employment, and healthcare. Seizure Smart Trainings educate individuals, families, and various types of organizations in seizure recognition and response as well as strategies to support people with epilepsy. Targeted audiences include school personnel, child care personnel, employers, First Responders, and social service agencies serving communities. In 2021, 7,695 individuals have learned how to create safe and supportive spaces for people with epilepsy through Seizure Smart Trainings. Connect Groups connect teens, adults, parents, and caregivers impacted by epilepsy to each other and to epilepsy information in a safe and confidential space. In 2021, 251 attendees have earned epilepsy-related information and built relationships with others in their community through Connect Groups. Child and Youth Programs are safe and fun activities for children and youth with epilepsy designed to increase confidence, decrease isolation, and increase their knowledge of epilepsy. In 2021, we have served 363 children and youth through our Shining Star program and 35 children and youth through our week-long virtual Camp Oz and Family Camp. In 2021, we launched our HealthCare Partnerships Initiative. Through these strategic partnerships, we will be able to provide the most proactive and comprehensive support to people at critical points on their epilepsy journey in the history of our organization. Your sponsorship ensures that these programs are available at no-cost to participants across Minnesota and eastern North Dakota.

1 in 26

55,000

WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH EPILEPSY

PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY IN MINNESOTA

Event sponsorship does so much more than raise awareness and support for people living with epilepsy. These events build relationships among people impacted by epilepsy, provide a meaningful way for those who love someone with epilepsy to show their support, and help everyone impacted by epilepsy know that they do not have to walk their epilepsy journey alone. “It was so much fun for all of our family and friends, who were also able to see other families/communities living with epilepsy. I felt like it was a great way to celebrate our daughter living with this diagnosis, while also raising awareness around it.” “It was wonderful to be able to connect and network with the small group of people in Marshall. Making connections with other families and the EFMN staff was so fulfilling. This is the first time in our many years we’ve been able to feel so connected to the cause.” Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota is thankful for your support in 2021 and we look forward to partnering with you in 2022!

In case you missed it…

...here is a glimpse of EFMN’s other 2021 events.

GALA NIGHT IN

296 GUESTS

$223,516 RAISED TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY

Our Gala Night In was held on Saturday, June 5, 2021. Ashley Zilka, reporter, and Mike Marcotte, news producer—both living with epilepsy—co-hosted the event which featured powerful stories from people impacted by epilepsy and the variety of ways EFMN has supported their epilepsy journey. In total, 222 guests gathered at “Watch Parties” hosted at homes and in backyards, and 74 guests attended virtually. All guests were encouraged to interact with each other via a live chat and the gala was available to view on EFMN’s website and YouTube page after the event. The evening also featured a Signature Cocktail (sponsored by Tito’s Vodka) and a Silent Auction with a unique collection of items and experiences. Camila Cohelo, a Brazilian-American fashion and beauty entrepreneur, was the evening’s keynote speaker. Ms. Coelho is a board member of the Epilepsy Foundation and has raised awareness by sharing her personal journey with epilepsy with her 15 million followers across multiple social media platforms.

TORCHBEARER AWARDS The inaugural 2021 Torchbearer Awards recognized individuals who have made a tremendous impact in the epilepsy community. The honorees were nominated by those within the epilepsy community. The virtual event was streamed on Facebook Live, uploaded to YouTube, and shared on our social media platform (with a combined 10,000 followers), and had 583 total views. The event was open to everyone in the epilepsy community with special invitations to nominees, healthcare providers, volunteers, our Board of Directors, and our Professional Advisory Board.

2021 Torchbearer Honorees Founders Award: Michael Frost, MD Champion in Epilepsy Care Award: Gregory Cascino, MD Community Champion Award: Ruth Schmitz

EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH More than 60,000 people in Minnesota and eastern North Dakota are living with epilepsy and countless others are impacted. In November, Epilepsy Awareness Month, EFMN seeks to bring awareness to the individuals impacted by epilepsy, regardless of their relationship to epilepsy. Throughout the month, we highlighted the stories of individuals who been diagnosed with epilepsy and caregivers of people with epilepsy as a reminder: no one journeys through epilepsy alone. These stories were shared as blog posts on our website and social media. Our social media campaign also highlighted critical statistics and shared downloadable seizure response resources. We also hosted two webinars: Talking with Your Doctor: How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit and Accessing Healthcare in Epilepsy That’s Right for You.

PHOTO CONTEST Individuals were encouraged to submit photos of themselves raising epilepsy awareness prior to November 1st. These photos were shared to Facebook, and whoever earned the most “likes” by the end of the month earned a prize.

On behalf of all of us at EFMN, we thank you for your partnership this year. We look forward to continuing our partnership with you in 2022!