Lofa Tatupu

Lofa Tatupu of the Seattle Seahawks helped raise over $700,000 at the Seattle Make-A-Wish Foundation Gala. Tatupu was one of a handful of celebrities at the event last week. During the event, Tatupu was reunited with a Jeffrey, a young man who Tatupu granted a wish for a few months ago who desperately needed a liver transplant. During the event, Tatupu bid on and won a week long vacation package to Cannon Beach, Oregon, which he in turn gave to Jeffrey and his family.

We love to see the ability for athletes to give back and make a difference in the lives of these kids through organizations like Make-A Wish.

This chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation can be visited at, http://www.northwestwishes.org.

Jason Snelling

Jason Snelling was diagnosed with epilepsy 10 years ago at the age of 15. Since then, the Atlanta Falcons running back has learned how to live with the condition as an NFL player. This weekend, Snelling will participate in the National Walk for Epilepsy in Washington DC. He hopes to recruit Falcons fans to donate to the cause through his involvement.

Snelling is very aware of his potential to help with awareness of and success with epilepsy, “It’s something that’s personal and hits home with me. It’s something I’ve had to deal with and I think I can relate to a lot of people’s personal experiences. I’m just trying to help the best I can and speak out on it.”

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, 10 percent of Americans will experience a seizure in their lifetime. Snelling followed with, “there’s definitely more people that have it that don’t want to bring it to light, because it is fearful. It is something where you have to be precautious. That’s a big part of why I’m getting involved in this foundation and the national walk that’s coming up. I want to help the people who have epilepsy who are afraid to reach out and get help.”

It’s refreshing to see athletes like Jason Snelling who see their potential to help raise funds for charitable organizations. Hopefully, he is able to encourage kids and other athletes who have been diagnosed with epilepsy to continue playing their favorite sports. His fame and participation will only benefit the condition and maybe will eventually lead to a cure.

The National Walk for Epilepsy can be found at http://www.walkforepilepsy.org.