How did the Liebman sisters start Paige’s Green Dream. What is the purpose of the annual 5K walk. How much money has been raised for epilepsy awareness. Who was Paige Holland and how did she impact her community.
The Story of Paige Holland: A Life Cut Short by Epilepsy
Paige Holland was a vibrant 17-year-old Moorestown High School student whose life was tragically cut short due to complications from epilepsy. Despite her struggles with the condition for most of her life, Paige was known for her infectious positivity and dedication to making others feel loved and important.
Her mother, Kara Holland, shared, “Paige was devoted to making others feel happy, important and loved. That was who she was… Even if you make just one person a little happier each day, that is a day well-lived.”
Paige’s impact on those around her was profound, particularly on her close friends Alexandra and Kacie Liebman. The sisters described Paige as a constant source of support and joy in their lives.
Paige’s Legacy: Kindness and Compassion
Alexandra, a senior at Moorestown High School and Paige’s best friend since 10th grade, fondly remembered, “She treated every single day like it was a holiday. If I had a bad day, Paige always knew how to make me smile.”
Kacie, Alexandra’s 12-year-old sister, added, “She was like our sister. She always thought about others and never about herself.”
The Birth of Paige’s Green Dream: Turning Grief into Action
In the wake of Paige’s passing, the Liebman sisters were determined to honor their friend’s memory and continue her dream of finding a cure for epilepsy. This led to the creation of Paige’s Green Dream, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about epilepsy and supporting research efforts.
The Inspiration Behind the Name
The name “Paige’s Green Dream” holds special significance. It combines Paige’s favorite color (green), her love for the band Green Day, and her dream of finding a cure for epilepsy. As Kacie explained, “We’re keeping her memory and dream alive by finding a cure for epilepsy, therefore she is always with us.”
The Annual Paige’s Green Dream 5K/10K Walk: A Community Unites
The cornerstone of Paige’s Green Dream’s efforts is the annual 5K/10K walk held at Moorestown High School. This event not only raises funds for the Epilepsy Foundation but also serves to educate the community about epilepsy and dispel common misconceptions surrounding the condition.
Event Details and Impact
- Registration begins at 9 AM
- Opening remarks from the Holland family
- Dedication of a bench bearing Paige’s name outside the high school
- Walk starts at 10 AM
- Over $12,000 raised in the first year
Robin Liebman, mother of Alexandra and Kacie, emphasized the importance of the event: “We take these very tragic moments, and we can’t change these moments, but we can make something so positive come out of them.”
Epilepsy Awareness: Breaking Down Stigmas and Misconceptions
One of the primary goals of Paige’s Green Dream is to increase understanding of epilepsy and challenge the stigmas often associated with the condition. By sharing Paige’s story and providing accurate information, the organization hopes to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for those living with epilepsy.
Common Misconceptions About Epilepsy
- Epilepsy is a mental illness (It’s actually a neurological disorder)
- People with epilepsy can’t lead normal lives (Many can with proper treatment)
- All seizures involve convulsions (There are many types of seizures)
- Epilepsy is contagious (It’s not contagious at all)
- You should force something into the mouth of someone having a seizure (This is dangerous and unnecessary)
The Impact of Community Support: Healing Hearts and Inspiring Change
The outpouring of support for Paige’s Green Dream has been a source of comfort for the Holland family. Kara Holland expressed her gratitude, saying, “It really does help warm our broken hearts. We are very grateful and honored.”
The community’s involvement goes beyond just participating in the walk. Many local businesses and individuals have contributed to the cause through sponsorships, donations, and volunteer work.
How You Can Get Involved
- Register for the annual walk
- Make a donation to Paige’s Green Dream
- Volunteer at events
- Spread awareness about epilepsy on social media
- Educate yourself and others about seizure first aid
The Future of Paige’s Green Dream: Expanding Reach and Impact
As Paige’s Green Dream continues to grow, the organization is looking to expand its efforts beyond the annual walk. Future plans include:
- Establishing a scholarship fund for students with epilepsy
- Organizing educational workshops in schools
- Partnering with medical professionals to improve epilepsy care
- Advocating for epilepsy-related legislation
The Liebman sisters are committed to carrying on Paige’s legacy and dream for years to come. As Alexandra stated, “We want to keep Paige’s memory alive and continue her fight against epilepsy. It’s what she would have wanted, and it’s the least we can do for someone who gave us so much.”
Epilepsy Research: Hope on the Horizon
While Paige’s Green Dream focuses on raising awareness and funds, it’s important to note that significant progress is being made in epilepsy research. Recent advancements offer hope for improved treatments and potentially even cures in the future.
Promising Areas of Research
- Gene therapy for specific forms of epilepsy
- Improved brain imaging techniques for more accurate diagnoses
- Development of new anti-seizure medications with fewer side effects
- Neuromodulation therapies, such as deep brain stimulation
- Personalized medicine approaches based on individual genetic profiles
By supporting organizations like Paige’s Green Dream and the Epilepsy Foundation, community members can directly contribute to these crucial research efforts.
The Power of One: How Paige’s Legacy Inspires Individual Action
Paige Holland’s life exemplified the profound impact one person can have on their community. Her belief that making even one person happier each day constitutes a life well-lived continues to inspire those who knew her and those who are just learning about her story.
This philosophy aligns perfectly with the mission of Paige’s Green Dream, which encourages individuals to take small actions that can collectively make a big difference in the lives of those affected by epilepsy.
Simple Ways to Make a Difference
- Educate yourself about epilepsy and share your knowledge with others
- Offer support to someone you know who has epilepsy
- Advocate for inclusive policies in your school or workplace
- Participate in local epilepsy awareness events
- Practice kindness and compassion in your daily life, just as Paige did
By embracing Paige’s approach to life and continuing her dream through organizations like Paige’s Green Dream, we can all play a part in creating a more understanding and supportive world for those living with epilepsy.
As we reflect on Paige’s story and the incredible efforts of the Liebman sisters, we’re reminded of the power of community, friendship, and perseverance in the face of adversity. Paige’s Green Dream stands as a testament to the enduring impact of a life lived with purpose and compassion, inspiring us all to make a positive difference in the world around us.
Moorestown Sisters Honor Late Friend’s Memory
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Community Corner
Paige Holland, a Moorestown High School student, was 17 when she passed away last year from complications due to epilepsy.
Rob Scott, Patch Staff
Paige Holland understood you didn’t need to be a politician, or a wealthy CEO, or a Nobel laureate, to change the world.
“Paige was devoted to making others feel happy, important and loved,” said her mother, Kara. “That was who she was … Even if you make just one person a little happier each day, that is a day well-lived.
“
Few knew this better than Alexandra and Kacie Liebman, close friends of Paige who said she was always there for them—to make them smile, or defend them against bullies, or make them her famous rice pudding.
Find out what’s happening in Moorestownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Paige passed away a year ago last week at the age of 17 from complications due to epilepsy, which afflicted her most of her life. Alexandra and Kacie’s mother, Robin, said it was “one of the saddest days” of her daughters’ lives.
And yet, Paige left behind “so many beautiful gifts.”
Find out what’s happening in Moorestownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“She treated every single day like it was a holiday,” said Alexandra, a senior at Moorestown High School, who had been best friends with Paige since 10th grade. “If I had a bad day, Paige always knew how to make me smile.”
Kacie, Alexandra’s younger sister, said Paige was “like our sister.”
“She always thought about others and never about herself,” said the 12-year-old.
It was Kacie, along with her sister, who initially conceived the idea of honoring Paige’s memory, and her dream of beating epilepsy, with a fundraiser.
The Liebman sisters, with the help of their mother and other supporters, organized the Paige’s Green Dream 5k/10k Walk for this Sunday at Moorestown High School. Robin said performing community service is one of the requirements for bat mitzvah, which Kacie recently celebrated.
“There were no other things that she could think to do other than honoring Paige’s dream (of conquering epilepsy),” said Robin.
Kacie hopes not only will the event raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation, but also can dispel some of the misconceptions and stigmas surrounding the affliction.
Kara Holland said she is “so grateful” to the Liebmans and the other supporters and organizers behind the walk.
“It really does help warm our broken hearts,” she said. “We are very grateful and honored.”
Registration starts at 9 a.m., followed by opening remarks from the family and the dedication of a bench bearing Paige’s name outside the high school.
The walk begins at 10 a.m.
You can register for the walk and/or make a donation on the Paige’s Green Dream website. Robin said they’ve raised more than $12,000 so far, between registered walkers and donations.
“We take these very tragic moments, and we can’t change these moments,” said Robin, “but we can make something so positive come out of them.”
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Paige’s Green Dream hosts its second 5K walk on Nov. 2
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.
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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.
