Paige Holland, a young Moorestown resident, was just 17 when she passed away two years ago due to complications of epilepsy. To honor their dear friend, Kacie and Alexandra Liebman, also of Moorestown, started Paige’s Green Dream to raise awareness of epilepsy and try to continue Paige’s wish to find a cure for the condition.
Because November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, Paige’s Green Dream will be hosting its second 5K walk on Nov. 2. The walk begins and ends at Moorestown High School and registration is at 9 a.m. with the walk kickoff at 10 a.m. The first 300 people who participate will receive a free t-shirt.
Paige’s Green Dream began when Kacie was preparing for her bat mitzvah and had to fulfill a mitzvah project. She could think of nothing more worthwhile than remembering her friend Paige and continue Paige’s dream to find a cure for epilepsy. Kacie and her sister Alexandra worked together to create the organization in honor of their friend. Paige loved the color green, the band Green Day and along with her dream of finding a cure, the name Paige’s Green Dream was created.
“We’re keeping her memory and dream alive by finding a cure for epilepsy, therefore she is always with us,” Kacie said.
Alexandra described Paige as a lovable person who always knew how to brighten your day. She never let her epilepsy episodes ruin her day, and she always walked around the school building with her head held high and a smile on her face.
“She was always a fighter. She was always trying to find a cure and always saying when she grew up she wanted to work with kids with her condition,” Kacie said.
Last year was the first Paige’s Green Dream 5K Walk and more than 400 people supported the organization through walking, volunteering, sponsoring and donating. The proceeds of approximately $25,000 supported research efforts of the Epilepsy Foundation of America, the Paige Holland Memorial Scholarship and Camp Frog, a specialty camp of children afflicted with epilepsy. The Liebmans were overwhelmed by the support last year and would like just as much, if not more this year.
“I am hoping that we have a lot more people than last year and I am hoping a lot more people gain awareness of what epilepsy is. At the end of the day, I am hoping for a strong show of support by the community,” Kacie said. “Just seeing everyone there coming to support the walk and coming together as a community is very inspirational for me and I’m really glad that I get to see and experience all of the people together.”
Represented at the walk will be the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey and other health professionals who will provide information prior to walk kick off. After that the walk begins.
“I love the actual part of the walk, when I get to walk around town. I can see the color green from miles away from the apparel the walkers are wearing. Every step I take makes me realize the process we had to do for the walk. It seems at first there are so many steps, but when you reach the end, you realize that you have made a difference,” Alexandra said.
There is no fee to sign up for the walk, but online registration is encouraged at paigesgreendream.org. Donations are not necessary, though any small amount is appreciated. The only thing that the girls ask are that people come out to the event to learn more about epilepsy, support those with the condition and wear green in honor of Paige.
“It is more important for people to walk than to donate money. When they are actually at the walk they can become aware of epilepsy from the speakers and support those individuals living with epilepsy,” Kacie said.
To learn more about Paige’s Green Dream and the walk visit paigesgreendream.org. Donations can be made on the website as well as at the actual event. Alexandra and Kacie appreciate any support that the community is able to give for the cause.
