More than 740 runners and walkers turned Piedmont Park into a moving show of support Sunday, gathering for Atlanta’s 42nd annual Magnolia Run and Walk 5K. The event brought families, advocates and people affected by epilepsy together for a cause that reaches far beyond the finish line.
The Magnolia Run is the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia’s largest fundraiser, with proceeds supporting research, medication assistance, employment programs and other services. CBS News Atlanta reported that those programs serve more than 150,000 Georgians living with epilepsy.
A 42-Year Atlanta Tradition With A Practical Mission
The event’s official event listing describes the Magnolia Run as an annual fundraiser hosted by the foundation, offering both 5K and 2K run-and-walk options. Organizers say funds help provide resources, raise awareness and expand epilepsy education across Georgia.
That support is designed to show up in everyday life, not just on race day. The Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia lists education, support groups, advocacy and employment services among its statewide work, while its EFWorks program offers free job-readiness training, placement assistance and ongoing support for Georgians with epilepsy.
Programs Reach Schools, Workers And Families
The foundation also provides seizure-awareness and first-aid education for schools, including help with seizure action plans and individualized education plans. Its school programs page says those efforts are intended to help faculty and students recognize seizures, respond appropriately and reduce the stigma surrounding the disorder.
For the runners and walkers at Piedmont Park, the morning’s miles were a visible reminder that epilepsy support is a year-round effort. The Magnolia Run may have ended at the park, but the services it funds continue in classrooms, workplaces and households across Georgia.
-4.webp?w=160&h=400&fit=crop&crop=edges)