Stories of Loss
We have met too many families who have lost a loved one due to epilepsy. On this page, we share some of their stories.
Stories of Loss
Since we began the Danny Did Foundation, we have met too many families who have lost a loved one due to epilepsy. On this page, we share some of their stories. Whether the passing is a result of SUDEP, status epilepticus, an accident, new-onset refractory statues epilepticus (NORSE), or another form of epilepsy-mortality, each one is a tragedy. If you have lost someone and would like to tell us about them, please contact us at info@dannydid.org. worked with from afar about the brain – heart connection in SUDEP. Thanks again for this opportunity.
Schlobohm Family, Minnesota
In loving memory of Melissa Schlobohm-Clover: While Melissa Schlobohm-Clover lived with us on earth, her character is best summed up as fun-loving, independent but a pure and simple person who loved her family. She leaves behind a bevy of friendships created and fostered throughout every stage of her life. While growing up, she showed her horse in 4-H and in high school was captain of the volleyball team. She was a devoted wife, stepmother, daughter and sister. She was known for her laugh and smile, they both lit up a room. Melissa liked to work hard and play hard. Her business management career took her to support stores in several other states, including her favorite, California. But her home was always Minnesota. In her 37 years, she only missed one Christmas Eve at home with Mom, Dad and her sister, because of a snowstorm in Wisconsin where she went to college.
Melissa went to live in Heaven on Sunday March 13, 2022, because of SUDEP, or Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. She was napping that Sunday afternoon on the couch while her husband sat nearby watching TV. She had a seizure, and when it was over, she had stopped breathing, and her husband and paramedics couldn’t resuscitate her. She was 37 years old, and she had epilepsy for 20 years.
Read the full remembrance by Melissa’s parents here.
Bawolek Family, South Elgin, Illinois
In loving memory of Cameron Balowek: As a kid, our son Cameron Bawolek of South Elgin looked up to his two older brothers, trying to keep up with them. One of his brothers played the drums, and Cameron took up the drums. All three of his siblings, Collin, Nathan, and Ellie, were swimmers. Cameron swam for both the St. Charles Swim Team and St. Charles North High School swim team over about 6 years. But lacrosse was the sport he loved!
Cameron’s sudden death took place on August 14, 2021, at the age of 20. We lovingly remember him as a young man who played on multiple club teams throughout his youth and for four years on the St. Charles High School Lacrosse team. As a senior, at the year-end banquet, Cameron won the award for “fastest shot”. Cameron also liked and had a natural talent at “frolf” (frisbee-disc golf). He spent many summer days playing with his friends.
Read the full remembrance by Cameron’s parents here.
Mantzios Family, Lincoln, Nebraska
In loving memory of Nicholas A. Mantzios: Nick graduated from Lincoln East High School in 2009 and Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering in 2014. He worked for Invacare and Zimmer Biomet in Ohio, and spent the last two years of his life working for Medtronic in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Nick was an engineer, a scientist, a chef, a baker, a musician (drums and bass guitar), a comedian, a gamester, a lover of rollercoasters, movies and music, a follower of politics, a podcaster (High Quality Podcast Action HQPA), and a great friend to many. He was well-loved and loved well. He is remembered for his ability to lift his friends up with humor and his positive energy.
Nick passed away on December 1, 2019. Read the full remembrance by Nick’s parents here.
Allison Hurt, Omaha, Nebraska
In loving memory of Erin Hurt: Erin was born at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, one minute after her twin sister (Haley) in the early morning hours of October 6, 2006. Born 8 weeks premature, Erin weighed in at just over three and a half pounds. She spent her first five weeks in the NICU, where I watched over her, along with her grandma and grandpa. Erin thrived after she got to go home, and grew into a beautiful girl, with big brown eyes and thick curly brown hair (which she hated but everyone else loved). She was smart, spunky, fun-loving and thoughtful. She had a special place in her heart for cats, friends, taking care of children and singing (in that order). She was a special girl and was loved by many.
Erin passed away on April 17, 2019. Read the full remembrance by Erin’s mom here.
Leslie Wood, Corvallis, Oregon
Thank you for sending this information about the PAME conference. This whole experience is already proving to be significant and moving for me. This was the first time I connected with others who have experienced the same devastation that my family has, and I’m extremely grateful for the work of your foundation. I’m so looking forward to the whole conference, and even the opportunity to go to a breakout session with one of the researchers my family has worked with from afar about the brain – heart connection in SUDEP. Thanks again for this opportunity.