It was a morning like any other; the first time Erin Monast found her 15-month-old daughter, Reagan, grey and unresponsive in her bed. A flurry of activity, and an emergency room visit later; doctors determined Reagan had a seizure. A first seizure, which would characterize the beginning of the Monast family’s journey with epilepsy.
Erin continued to dig into what was wrong with her daughter, and Reagan was later diagnosed with intractable epilepsy and cerebral palsy, just shy of her second birthday. The years that followed were filled with countless seizures, medications, hospital visits, a medical ketogenic diet, questions, and insufficient answers.
A REA of Hope
Erin decided to start something on her own in support of Reagan. She created The REA of Hope for a Cure Foundation, an awareness and advocacy nonprofit that aims to support and connect families of children with complex neurological disorders, specifically epilepsy.
Through her foundation, she started an event known as the Annual Reagan’s Run. Taking place in Chester County, PA, just outside of Philadelphia, Reagan’s Run started as a virtual run to honor Reagan on her 10th birthday. Since then, it has evolved into a way to help families facing similar challenges, connect, and create a sense of community.
Erin designed Reagan’s Run to be a fun, uplifting event that brings people together. The event includes a 5K fun run and a one-mile walk, with proceeds supporting CURE Epilepsy. This event is now part of CURE Epilepsy’s Run/Walk Series.
“People just don’t know much about epilepsy,” says Erin.” That doesn’t mean they don’t care. I just want people to understand what it’s like for us and for so many other families. Every day we’re just fighting for a cure for our kids.”
Four Years of Reagan’s Run
Since 2022, Reagan’s Run has welcomed over 400 participants each year and raised nearly $100,000 to support REA of Hope and CURE Epilepsy. As of 2026, Reagan has had her longest period of seizure freedom since she was 15 months old. But as long as any child is suffering seizures, Erin will continue to push for a cure.
“Have you ever watched someone seize for five minutes? Have you ever watched your child seize? It is traumatic and it never gets easier,” says Erin. She continues to be a public advocate for her daughter and others affected by epilepsy, and she and Reagan remain a ‘REA of Hope’.
