Tony Deluca set out on July 2 to trek 286 miles of the North Country Trail to raise awareness and funds for the Epilepsy Association of Western and Central PA.

Tony Deluca, an epilepsy warrior, is participating in a 286-mile run on the Pennsylvania section of the North Country Trail.

He and his friend Sarah Wallace started at the Ohio state line on Tuesday, July 2, and will finish at the New York state line.

Deluca and Wallace are raising both money and awareness for the Epilepsy Association of Western and Central PA, which offers programs and services that extend across 49 counties within Pennsylvania. Services include a summer camp program, virtual support groups, workshops, and educational events.

Additionally, the agency provides a free CareShare respite program, emergency medication assistance, high school scholarships, the Oscar Project, which provides service dogs and assistance in obtaining sleep/movement monitors, and Project School Alert, an initiative aimed at educating students, teachers, and faculty on recognizing and responding to individuals experiencing seizures.

There is still time to help Deluca raise $2,500 for local epilepsy programs and services. Donations can be made online at https://p2p.onecause.com/epilepsy24/tony-deluca-2.

“As someone with Epilepsy, this is a cause close to my heart, and it is a privilege to help the EAWCP fulfill its mission to serve the local community,” said Deluca. “Thank you for supporting epilepsy awareness and this crazy adventure!”