The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation
is a non-profit corporation formed to provide help and support to individuals, particularly children and young adults, who have epilepsy. Chelsea touched many lives during her short 16 years here and we are amazed at how many people she continues to touch through the foundation even after her passing. Her generous heart longed to see love and care come to others.
In her memory, The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation is designed to assist people living with Epilepsy. Funds raised by this Foundation provide grants for seizure-response dogs and epilepsy monitors for those in need, educate the public about SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), and provide support to those who have been affected by SUDEP. The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation exists to raise awareness of SUDEP and to grant comfort, hope, and positivity to individuals and families living with epilepsy. To date, The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation has had the privilege of providing 154 seizure-response dog grants and has provided over 1500 life-saving night-time and daytime movement monitors for those in need. We have awarded 107 families with wish trips to the one-of-a-kind Epilepsy Awareness Expo and Day at Disneyland. The Expo offers a wealth of information and exposure to professionals, treatment options, education, and hope.
Seizure-Response Dogs for those with Epilepsy
Providing grants for seizure response dogs for individuals living with epilepsy can help to prevent SUDEP, experienced by 1-in-26 Americans in their lifetime.
Movement Monitors for Epilepsy Patients in Need
Provide epilepsy movement monitors for children with epilepsy and their families so they can have the comfort of knowing their health will be monitored at all times
You may ask why we provide grants for these items. These monitors, while life-saving, are not covered by any insurance companies. Seizure response service dogs are expensive and most of our families have to raise significant money to obtain one. Imagine caring for a loved-one with epilepsy 24/7 and being afraid to sleep for fear they might miss a seizure, or worse yet, THAT seizure that is fatal. Chelsea’s family believes strongly that if they had known to monitor Chelsea at night – and had the means to afford one of these expensive items – their outcome may have been different. Chelsea’s first nocturnal seizure took her life.
During the 6 years that Chelsea had seizures, no one ever told the Hutchisons that a seizure could take her life other than through an accidental fall or drowning. As a result of that omission, The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation informs those living with epilepsy of the risks and raises awareness of SUDEP so that no other families are blindsided. For more information, please contact us directly at ChelseasLegacy2@gmail.com