M
January 13, 1992 - April 5, 2011
Mary Caitlin D. Keane is one of the estimated 125,000 people who die each year from seizures and related causes.
She is a daughter, sister, cousin, friend and promising young woman taken far too early from this world.
WHO IS MARY KEANE?
Dear Mary,
From the very day that you were born, right from the very start, you had my heart. You've blessed my life with so much joy; that lovely smile would light up any room! Your little laugh would lift me up whenever I was sad or things were going wrong. You were strong, kind, and compassionate to everyone and now it is my turn to try to live up to your example. You continue to be such a special blessing, and I love you so much. Even though you're in heaven, and all grown up, you still fill my days with joy. I cannot wait to see your great smile again someday. In the meantime, I'm doing my best to make you proud. I think about you every hour of every day and I hope you can feel my love up in heaven.
Love you always and forever,
Dad !!
HELP FUND PROMISING TREATMENTS
FOR MEDICATION-RESISTANT EPILESPY
THE PROBLEM
Worldwide, an estimated 125,000 people die each year due to epilepsy and related causes
KEEP MARY'S MEMORY ALIVE
Help raise money to reduce
some, and one day all, of those 125,000 deaths per year
TOWARD TREATMENT
Over 70K donated,
100% of which directly supports
innovative and forward-thinking leaders
at Rush University
A
Travis Stoub, PhD
ABOUT THE FUND
At Rush University Medical Center Mary received outstanding care for many years of her short life. She was lucky to have Travis Stoub, Ph.D. and Antoaneta Balabanov, MD, as two of the numerous skilled workers who cared for her in her time at Rush.
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Travis Stoub, PhD, and Antoaneta J. Balabanov, MD, are both associate professors in the Department of Neurological Sciences. Dr. Stoub helps lead the epilepsy center's innovative radiomics research efforts. Dr. Balabanov is the medical director of the RUSH Epilepsy Center as well as directs the RUSH University Epilepsy Fellowship.
RUSH's epilepsy physicians and scientists are using advancements made possible by donor support in the clinic each day to improve care - and life for people with epilepsy.
In the words of Dr. Stoub:
"Philanthropy opens the door of discovery
and directly changes the lives of our patients forever."
In honor of Mary Keane, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support epilepsy care and research at RUSH.
Antoaneta J. Balabanov, MD
UPDATES
How Your Generosity Transforms Care at the Rush Epilepsy Center:
"When Mary passed away at age 19 in spring of 2011, I lost my friend and cousin, and the world lost a special person. My Uncle Stephen began this fund for epilepsy research in her name shortly after she passed away. He asked me if I would gather other young people to help the cause and without hesitating I said 'yes' . . . I am proud that our family, friends, local community and people all across the United States and the world, have come together to build the fund to over $70,000 in the past decade with 100% going to Epilepsy Research.
As the Junior Ambassador for the fund, social media, and this website are two ways we help keep Mary’s memory alive while sharing some of the important research currently being conducted at Rush University Medical Center.
Mary's premature passing taught me the only way to make sense out of a tragedy is to turn the tragedy into something positive.
I hope, pray and work toward finding a treatment for epilepsy . . . no other mother, father, sister, brother, cousin, or friend should have to experience the tragic loss of one they love due to seizures or related causes."
- Maeve Gillette (one of Mary's first cousins)
Chicago, IL
"All of the physicians and nurses of the Rush Epilespy Center got to know Mary during the years she was treated at Rush. We have fond memories of her sweet smile and positive attitude despite adverse situations. She is one of the patients we will never forget."
K
FROM THOSE
WHO KNEW
MARY BEST . . .
Dr. Andres M. Kanner,
Attending Physician, Rush Epilespy Center
C
CONTACT MARY'S DAD
For questions, more information about the fund, media inquires, sponsorship opportunities, as well as to talk to someone who understands the effects of seizures both on the person having them as well as the family . . . please feel free to reach out via the form below. We appreciate your time on this site and your support toward finding a treament for medication-resistant epilepsy.
Stephen M. Keane
815-274-2513