Monday, February 10, 2025

Support the Epilepsy Foundation at the Gingerbread City Gala

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One in ten people will experience a seizure in their lifetime and another one in twenty-six will be diagnosed with epilepsy.

The Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County (EFSDC) leads the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures and save lives. EFSDC provides all programs and services free of charge, including counseling, career development, advocacy information and referrals, as well as support groups for individuals, caregivers and families, scholarships and summer camps for children and teens.

 

To support its mission and kick-off the holiday season, EFSDC is hosting the 29th Annual Gingerbread City Gala on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at the San Diego Natural History Museum. This festive event features a nationally recognized gingerbread competition, live and silent auctions, interactive museum exhibits, in addition to a gourmet dinner and awards program.

 

This highly anticipated event brings together the area’s most influential community advocates, leaders, medical experts and philanthropists to generate critical funding to support EFSDC’s mission.

 

EFSDC is excited to welcome back three incredibly talented local celebrity judges who have collectively appeared on multiple Food Network, Netflix and TLC shows. Chef Jose Barajas (Mmm Cakes), Chef Charity “The Sugar Sorceress” George (d’Zrt Cake Studio) and Chef Maeve Rochford (Sugar & Scribe, winner of Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship) will lend their creative expertise and determine the winners in each category.

 

There will be three Gingerbread structure categories: grand, petite and school. Last year, The Children’s School of La Jolla was the competition’s first school entry and they have inspired other schools to get involved, so a category just for students was added.

 

Actor Greg Grunberg (Alias, Star Wars, Heroes) will be making an appearance via video to share his family’s experience with his son Jake’s epilepsy diagnosis. Greg is currently filming a new series called The Care Giver that focuses on those who support loved ones with epilepsy.

 

The Natural History Museum is the perfect backdrop for this year’s theme, ROAR: Anything is Fossible! EFSDC wishes to thank its presenting sponsor, the Scarano Family – tireless advocates in the fight for those with epilepsy. Other top tier sponsors include Dr. Jim Grisolia & Dr. Carla Stayboldt, Neurelis, Sue & Steve Zapticzny, the Kneeshaw family, Mastercard, SDG&E, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation, Jazz Pharmaceuticals and many more!

 

The very popular Treasure Chest will be making a return, sponsored by Manpower. 100 keys will be sold at the event for the chance to try each key in one of three locks. Each lock corresponds to a valuable prize, one of which is a $1000 shopping spree!

 

To learn more about the upcoming Gingerbread City Gala or to purchase tickets or sponsorships, please visit www.EpilepsySanDiego.org. Your support of this amazing event helps the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County provide free resources to anyone affected by epilepsy. There are more than 55,000 people in our community who live with epilepsy, and likely someone you know. Please join EFSDC at Gingerbread City Gala on December 7, 2022!

Danitza Villanueva
Danitza Villanueva
Danitza Villanueva was born in San Diego but spent her youth with her family in Tijuana and grew up on both sides of the border. She has transferred her unique insight of cross-border culture, trends and philanthropy to her business and community interests. Danitza is the first woman from her family to graduate from college. She has two degrees, one from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Fashion Marketing, and a second from San Diego Christian College in Communications. After starting GB Magazine with Esteban Villanueva in 2007, she has gone on to win awards and recognition from the community for her support of helping raise millions of dollars for non-profit organizations. Currently she resides in East County in San Diego where she and her husband Esteban run DAESVI Publishing, home to GB Magazine, among several other publications.

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