Family holds second Epilepsy Walk in Monroe

Johntiago Arellano is not yet four years old, but he's already had a pretty rough walk through life.

A victim of a severe form of epilepsy, he's been having as many as several dozen seizures a day since he was an infant.

Two brain surgeries have proven unsuccessful, and his mom and dad, Kerri and Jaime Arellano, have few remaining options to try and reduce his seizures.

But they aren't done fighting for him or against epilepsy.

That's why they are holding a walk to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation NW Saturday, June 21.

It's the second walk the Arellano family has organized in Monroe.

They organized the first one last year, because they knew intimately the struggles faced by families in which a child is affected by epilepsy, and wanted to help others as best they could.

"I feel like my son's a fighter, and us doing this and raising money for a cure is how we fight back,GÇ¥ said Kerri last year. "The money goes to the Foundation to help other people who don't have the support. I don't want other people to go though this without support if we can help that.GÇ¥

The first event, held at Lake Tye Park last year, exceeded the family's expectations when walkers and runners raised $3,000. This year, they hope to raise $6,000.

This year, the Arellano are walking in Johntiago's name as Team Johntiago.

The Epilepsy Walk in Monroe is one of simultaneous walks held nationwide June 21. The money goes to support research into epilepsy and to resources for families affected by epilepsy.

Register at www.NWRunWalk.org/Monroe. The walk is $25 to join. You can also register at the event between 9 and 9:30 a.m. The event runs form 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 21, at Sky River Park, 413 Sky River Parkway in Monroe, behind the Boys and Girls Club.