The Maffie family has always been close. Mom and Dad – Lisa and Bobby – encouraged their sons – Anthony and Austin – to stay active, follow their passions, and lead with empathy. When Anthony was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 16, they were a strong support system for him. Whatever the challenge, this family is in it together.
With the help of medication, Anthony achieved relative seizure control, with only a few seizures here and there. He remained passionate about rugby and karate, treasured fishing trips with his brother, and stayed committed to his goal of becoming a nurse so he could help others.
When Anthony was first diagnosed, his mother, Lisa, did what so many new epilepsy parents do. “The first thing I did was type into Google, ‘Can you die from epilepsy?’” says Lisa. “And I came across Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. I saw it was rare. When I asked his pediatric neurologist about it, she told me, ‘That is so rare. He is not at risk. I want you to put that out of your head right now. That is not going to happen to Anthony’.”
But Anthony was at risk of SUDEP. He had generalized tonic-clonic seizures. He had seizures at night. He was a man and a young adult.
The Day Everything Changed
On January 4th, 2019, Bobby and Lisa headed to work as usual. It was New Year’s weekend, and Anthony planned to sleep in after working an overnight nursing shift. But when Anthony wasn’t awake at the time he mentioned the night efore, Austin grew worried. He went to check on him and found Anthony not breathing. He immediately called 911 and his mom.
“In my head I said, ‘I think he died from SUDEP’,” Lisa says.
Anthony, lovingly referred to as ‘Ant’, passed away due to SUDEP at just 22 years old. He had 7 seizures in total in his lifetime.
How the Maffies Are Fighting Against SUDEP in Honor of Anthony
Devastated, the Maffie family channeled their grief into change. They were determined to celebrate Anthony’s life, honor his memory, and do everything they could to stop SUDEP from ever happening to another family.
They found CURE Epilepsy and their missions aligned strongly, especially because of the organization’s significant work on SUDEP.
The Maffies became CURE Epilepsy Champions. They hosted the first Anthony Maffie Memorial Walk in their hometown of Canton. When the walk began, it was a small community event, but it has grown significantly each year. By the 4th Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, the family had doubled the amount raised the previous year. Now, following the 5th Annual Walk, the event has raised more than $100,000 in support of epilepsy research.
“Being a CURE Epilepsy Champion is a powerful title for our family. We are Ant’s Arrow’s, walking forward with him in life, as we designate our fundraising efforts to CURE Epilepsy. Especially with recent cuts to federal investment in medical research, we know that the funds we raise in Anthony’s name can supplement important epilepsy research and protect hard-fought progress towards cures. If we cure epilepsy, we end SUDEP.”
-Lisa, Bobby, and Austin Maffie
The walk has since become part of our Run/Walk Series, which features fun runs/walks from across the nation. It has become a beloved annual tradition in Canton and is a truly special event for the people in the community. Anthony’s teachers, peers, and friends all come together to fundraise for a cause that has touched them personally.
5th Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2026
5th Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2026
5th Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2026
5th Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2026
4th Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2025
4th Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2025
4th Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2025
3rd Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2024
3rd Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2024
3rd Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2024
2nd Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2023
2nd Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2023
2nd Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2023
1st Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2022
1st Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2022
1st Annual Anthony Maffie Walk, 2022
Championing Epilepsy Research and SUDEP Awareness
In addition to the annual walk, the Maffie’s have held other fundraising events. They once passed out purple donuts made by a local coffee shop in Massachusetts called Honey Dew. Both Anthony and Austin had previously worked there.
“It was an awesome fundraiser with people from all across Canton and even other towns. Our whole family came by the shop and just bought purple donuts,” said Austin.
This family has always been strong. And now, they’re using their strength to champion epilepsy research, with Anthony’s spirit by their side. “We mention Anthony a couple of times a day,” says Lisa. “We talk about Anthony’s room, we talk about Anthony’s clothes, talk about Anthony’s dogs. I think the fundraising is huge, because it does bring him into the room and into the area. Anthony’s memory is filled with joy.”
Learn more about the Maffie Family and their advocacy in this episode of the Seizing Life podcast.