Last March, Carly Way raised $2,600 when she shaved her head and donated her hair to be made into wigs for needy patients. The proceeds went to the Barrie Cancer Society.

But now it is Carly, and kids like her, who are "in need".

The nine-year-old Grade 4 student at Hyland Heights Public School was diagnosed with Epilepsy at the age of seven, and this Saturday, August 22, the Shelburne Baseball Tournament for Epilepsy will raise awareness and funds for programs for those living with Epilepsy in Dufferin.

Carly's Mom recalls her first seizure, "It was scary for all of us", says Penny Way. "The first seizure Carly ever took was the feeling of having your world fall a part in 30 seconds flat. I remember not really sleeping for three weeks straight."

Penny says that the steps to getting answers were challenging. "I would not except that this was an isolated case where the seizure wouldn't happen again. I wanted answers. Now Carly has good seizure control with medication; unfortunately, not everyone has that."

Epilepsy in Canada affects more than 300,000 people with nearly 14,000 new cases being diagnosed every year.

Penny Way hopes the tournament proceeds will help to run programs and provide opportunities for those living with Epilepsy, free of charge — programs such as Summerfest Children's Camp, Kids on the Block Puppet Show, support groups and more.

She says public awareness is key. "Imagine a 10- year-old child not being invited to a birthday party because they have epilepsy. This is the type of stigma we want to erase in Dufferin County."

Currently, there is a full tournament of 16 teams registered, but there is still a need for prizes, donations and volunteers — especially umpires.

Players must be 18 years and over. There is no admission fee, and there will be a barbeque and door prize draws. The Baseball Tournament for Epilepsy gets under way at 8 a.m. at the Hyland Park diamonds in Shelburne.

As a non-profit organization, Epilepsy chapters rely heavily on the financial support of individuals and businesses in the community. Epilepsy is a disorder that is often misunderstood by the general public, with community support Penny and Carly hope to "erase the stigma". Call 925-9084 to volunteer or for more information.