Annual Anthony Maffie Walk returns to Canton 6/2
By Jay Turner
Lisa and Bob Maffie are pictured with their sons, Anthony and Austin
Continuing their mission to help find a cure for epilepsy while honoring the memory of their beloved son and brother, the Maffie family of Canton is thrilled to be bringing their annual fundraiser walk back to Canton and to the neighborhood that Anthony called home.
A Canton native and CHS graduate, Anthony Maffie was only 22 years old when he passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on January 4 from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). His passing left a giant-sized hole in the hearts of his family and friends, not only in Canton but at Curry College, where he had been working toward a nursing degree and had previously played rugby.
An energetic and athletic child, Anthony had not shown any symptoms of epilepsy until just before his 16th birthday, when he had a seizure on the school bus, followed by a second seizure two months later that confirmed his diagnosis.
While his seizures were infrequent and largely controlled with medication, they were the breakthrough convulsive type, and sometimes occurred at night — putting Anthony, unbeknownst to his parents, at a higher risk for SUDEP.
“Our mission is to bring more attention to SUDEP so that people can start discussions with their clinicians about their risk,” notes the Maffies on their website. “We also strive to support research in epilepsy, to bring more public awareness and research dollars to help others living with epilepsy to live their best lives and to someday find a cure for epilepsy. If we cure epilepsy, we end SUDEP.”
While they feel that Anthony was taken from them far too soon, Bob and Lisa Maffie said their son squeezed every ounce of life and love from the time he was given.
“Anthony was an amazing older brother to Austin and a fun-loving, free-spirited son who was a loyal friend to many,” they said. “Golfing, fishing, sleeping in, sports betting, hanging with his family and his friends, including his four-legged ones, Bentley and Piper, were a few of his favorite things. He was born to be a nurse and loved his job as a CNA at Beth Israel Hospital Milton. His smile was infectious, his bear hugs legendary. He never missed a family event, partly for the food, but mainly for the love of his aunts and uncles and his cousins.”
The Annual Walk to Cure Epilepsy in honor of Anthony Maffie had been held in Mansfield for the past two years, spearheaded by his Aunt Barbara. For this year’s walk, however, the Maffies decided to hold it at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School, with donor-sponsored lawn signs placed on public town property along Dedham Street.
According to Lisa Maffie, “These signs bring awareness to the prevalence of epilepsy — one in 26 people will be diagnosed in the U.S. annually — honor those who have passed from SUDEP, and highlight the efforts of CURE Epilepsy, the recipient of all funds raised.”
Having raised more than $37,000 to date, the Maffies have named their fundraiser team “Ant’s Arrows,” which is a nod to Anthony’s nickname as well as a reminder to keep pressing on in search of a cure while living out his motto to “expect nothing and appreciate everything.”
“It is our hope,” they said, “that those with this disease can also find the strength to move forward as they confront the many daily challenges a diagnosis of epilepsy may bring.”
The 2024 Walk to Cure Epilepsy will take place beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, on what would have been Anthony’s 28th birthday. Children under age 12 are welcome to participate for free and do not need to be registered.
Supporters can also purchase raffle tickets on the event website for a chance to win some “fabulous” prizes, and there are other ways to show support, such as making a donation or sponsoring a sign.
Registration is now underway and can be completed by visiting anthonymaffiememorialwalk.squarespace.com or by scanning the QR code above. The deadline to secure a t-shirt is May 12, but registration will remain open until the day of the event.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=123820
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