Walking the
Camino de Santiago
for Epilepsy Awareness
Two Michiganders are preparing for an 800km journey across Europe to support the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan.
Walking the Camino de Santiago for Epilepsy Awareness
On August 26, Mark Keegan and Jim Campbell will begin an 800km journey across the famed Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Along the way, they will be raising awareness of seizures and epilepsy, as well as funds to support the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan, in honor of their dear friend Lauren.
The below artwork was made by Lauren. An accomplished artist, she created an entire series related to epilepsy and how patients have been treated and depicted in art and media over the years.
A message from Mark Keegan as he prepares for the adventure of a lifetime...
My name is Mark Keegan and I live in Berkley, Michigan. My wife and I have been in our present home for over forty-one years. When we moved into our home in January of 1984, we were fortunate enough to be right next door to Bob and Lora McGrath. As time moved on, we became very close friends with Bob and Lora.
Bob and Lora raised four children. Their eldest daughter Brenda graduated in the early 70's, just like I did. Brenda and her husband Kenny have a daughter named Lauren. Over the years, we watched Lauren grow up to become a kind, caring, and extremely creative young lady. In her early twenties, Lauren started having epileptic seizures. Over time, the frequency and severity of the seizures accelerated. Like many people who have epilepsy, Lauren experiences difficulties while performing everyday tasks and routines. Lauren is bound and determined to try anything to decrease the frequency and reduce the severity of these episodes.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan is a wonderful organization that supports the people who are living with epilepsy, while helping the medical community in their quest to improve the quality of life for those who fight this debilitating condition.
On August 24, 2025, my good friend Jim Campbell and I will travel to St. Jean Pied de Porto in France. On August 26, we will leave St. Jean Pied de Porto to walk the Camino de Santiago, an 800km journey across northern Spain to the town of Santiago de Compostela. It is a pilgrimage that people have traversed for over 1,000 years. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people walk the Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James).
There are many reasons to walk this famous Camino. In addition to experiencing nature, meeting people, and strengthening my faith, I have another purpose. I will be walking the almost 500 miles to raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan in Lauren's honor. Together, we can help improve the lives of the nearly 109,000 people in Michigan who live with epilepsy. I hope that you are able to help me with this endeavor!
Thank you,
Mark Keegan