Diana Cipriani (left) and her niece, Taylor, (right) at the Epilepsy Association’s 25th Annual Winter Walk

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and the Epilepsy Association certainly appreciates Diana Cipriani! She has been involved with the agency for nearly a decade since she attended her first Winter Walk in 2016. She currently serves on the Winter Walk Committee, where she provides valuable input that helps us make the Walk the fun, family-friendly event many know and love.

But what motivates Diana to donate her time and energy to our cause?

“I volunteer with the Epilepsy Association because this cause is deeply personal—my niece, Taylor, was diagnosed in 2011. Epilepsy is one of the most underfunded conditions in medical research, despite affecting 1 in every 26 people. It often brings challenges far beyond the seizures themselves, including difficulties in securing accommodations for school, work, and daily life. As an invisible condition, epilepsy is frequently misunderstood, leading to a lack of empathy, social isolation, and even depression,” she explained.

“When Taylor was a freshman in college, life changed dramatically. Finding the right medication to control her seizures was a long, difficult process. She lost the independence of driving, struggled with short-term memory issues, and had to constantly adapt. It was hard—but the Epilepsy Association was there. They educated our family and provided a sense of community. Their Winter Walks, in particular, reminded us that we are not alone.

“Today, Taylor lives with epilepsy—but it doesn’t define her. She pushed through every obstacle, graduated from nursing school, and just last year, welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world. Achieving these milestones took extraordinary resilience and a strong support network. She is, without a doubt, my hero.

“I continue to volunteer because education is everything. By raising awareness and helping others understand how to respond to seizures, we can build a more compassionate, informed, and inclusive world for those living with epilepsy.”

 

Besides being an active member of the planning committee, Diana also helps organize a large fundraising team to walk for her niece at our Winter Walk. Their team consistently brings dozens of people to the event, and has raised thousands of dollars for epilepsy services over the years. They also make their own awesome custom gear, like Tays Troops buttons!

We are proud to call Diana an Epilepsy Association volunteer, and more importantly, a friend of the agency. People like her are what make the epilepsy community so strong and supportive. They enable us to create welcoming events where hundreds of people come together to raise money and celebrate their epilepsy warriors.

Interested in giving back to the epilepsy community? The Epilepsy Association is always looking for new members for our special event planning committees. These groups meet no more than once a month for an hour over Zoom. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, or share your own epilepsy story, email us at contact@epilepsyinfo.org.