SUFFIELD A local family is now in its second year of selling lollipops to raise awareness of epilepsy and money for research.
Lilly Hoyt's Lillypops, the "sweetest way to help lick epilepsy," are made from scratch and vary in shapes and flavors.
The money raised by selling Lilly's homemade lollipops is given to the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut in Middletown, as well as the national Epilepsy Foundation and Epilepsy Therapy Project.
Last year, Lillypops raised about $800, according to Lilly's father, Geoff Hoyt. So far this year, the family's sales effort has already raised about $500.
Lilly, now 13, had a severe seizure when she was 4 months old, her parents said.
Geoff Hoyt said his daughter still experiences seizures, but they can be difficult to see unless one recognizes changes in her demeanor or facial expressions.
"She doesn't know when they're going to happen or how bad they're going to be," Hoyt said. "The physical and emotional effect of this condition is hellacious."
Hoyt, who works as an individual giving officer for the Epilepsy Foundation, said epilepsy affects more than 60,000 Connecticut residents and 2 million people across the country.
The medication that helps reduce the number of seizures Lilly has has affects her physical and intellectual development, her father said. Hoyt said the medication makes it harder for Lilly to develop short-term memory.
Hoyt said the Suffield school system has helped Lilly to thrive by creating an individual educational plan and a community awareness program through the school's nurse.
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Suffield Teen's 'Lillypops' Raising Awareness For Epilepsy