When Victor and Libby Boyce misplaced their 20-year-old son Cameron to SUDEP (Sudden Surprising Dying in Epilepsy Sufferers) in 2019, his demise got here as a tragic and devastating shock. A younger actor with a burgeoning profession, incomes credit in motion pictures resembling Grown Ups 2 and Disney’s Descendants franchise, Cameron left an unshrinkable void within the hearts and minds of everybody that knew him.
And whereas this grief can by no means be cured, Cameron’s father Victor, and the entire Boyce household, are in a position to transfer ahead as a result of they’ve a passionate need to lift consciousness of SUDEP. Mercifully energized by a therapeutic relationship with aggressive biking, Victor bravely shares the household mission in a dialog with M&F.
In the USA, 1 in 26 persons are dwelling with epilepsy. Of these victims, it’s estimated that greater than 1 in 1,000 will die from SUDEP, and but all too many individuals are completely unaware of the danger. Cameron had solely 5 seizures in his lifetime between the ages of 17 and 20 years. “Earlier to his first seizure, he had no signs in any respect, except when he developed colic as an toddler. Cameron hardly ever ever obtained sick,” explains Victor. “When he had his first seizure, we weren’t positive what occurred in any respect till a health care provider defined it. It was complicated and stunning within the worst manner.” Seemingly below management after his epilepsy analysis, his seizures had been spaced out at round a yr aside. “Not solely was Cameron not unwell, however he was additionally thriving in his life and profession,” says Victor. “We had been fully blindsided by his passing as a result of he was so wholesome.”
What’s epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a situation of the mind that causes bursts {of electrical} exercise, leading to seizures. It’s an ailment that may start at any age, however often begins in childhood or in these people who find themselves over 60. Signs embrace involuntary shaking, additionally know as a “match.” In case you suppose you will have skilled a seizure, it is very important search medical recommendation. Whereas there are remedies accessible to assist management epilepsy in lots of circumstances, SUDEP remains to be not fully understood.
The Cameron Boyce Basis Is Working to Treatment Epilepsy
Very quickly after his passing, the Boyce household set about forging a basis in honor of Cameron. “Initially, it was to proceed the charitable works that Cameron was already doing on his personal,” says Victor. “We didn’t need that to finish together with his passing. It was troublesome at first for a lot of causes, not the least of which was that we had no thought find out how to run a basis. It’s been a steep studying curve, however now we’ve got a robust crew and a transparent focus for what we wish to obtain. We’re tiny in comparison with different extra well-established epilepsy foundations, however we’ve got a singular platform as a result of Cameron is so beloved. Our essential aim is epilepsy consciousness and analysis.”
Since its inception, TCBF (The Cameron Boyce Basis) has raised greater than $1 million and casts a much-needed highlight on a illness that’s usually afforded too little consideration. “We’re really blessed to be supported by younger adults that grew up watching Cameron on TV and in motion pictures. They’re our core supporters. Notable folks which have been instrumental in serving to us embrace Adam Sandler, Sofia Carson, Dove Cameron, Salma Hayek, Maz Jobrani, Wendy Raquel Robinson and plenty of, many extra,” says Victor. TCBF has additionally partnered with CURE Epilepsy to fund analysis grants, serving to scientists with their quest to remedy and management all types of epilepsy.
Victor Boyce Positive factors ‘Each day Remedy’ Although Biking
“My son was born with a magnetism that’s laborious to place phrases to,” shares Victor. Working with the TCBF is essential however understandably heavy work for a grieving father, however luckily he’s been in a position to lean on his love of biking to get some psychological and bodily reduction. “As a child, I obtained freedom by going out on a bicycle. You’ll be able to journey quite a bit farther by bike than by strolling. As an grownup, it’s extra of a each day remedy,” he shares. “Many individuals consider biking as ‘train’ however for me it’s extra psychological. Biking clears my thoughts of the stresses of life. Biking has pushed me out of my consolation zone to do the issues that I beforehand thought had been not possible. For instance, in 2020, I amassed over 1,000,000 vertical toes of elevation acquire in a single yr. As daunting as that sounds bodily, it’s the psychological fortitude and dedication that’s harder.”
Victor has actually discovered his groove with biking. “I trip with an ideal group of males and many people compete in organized races and occasions,” he explains. “Final yr I used to be a part of a four-man crew that received an eight-hour, cross-country, marathon mountain bike race. We additionally do gravel bike occasions such because the ‘Rock Cobbler,’ and that’s brutal! Adrenaline and dopamine are highly effective motivators to get out and transfer. Whenever you really feel higher your temper is best which in flip helps your relationships with household and pals. If you end up match you’re extra assured and cozy in your individual pores and skin.”
Discovering consolation and comaradery by biking has been an ideal distraction for Victor. “It’s attention-grabbing how small the biking neighborhood is,” he explains. “The general public I trip with are pals of pals. Some are my neighbors and plenty of others are individuals who I’ve met on Strava. It’s been very natural and a few of the folks I’ve met have develop into pricey pals. Just lately, my spouse and I, and 4 different {couples} went on a biking journey to the Netherlands. It was the journey of a lifetime.” For Victor, having significant conversations can be important to his work with the TCBF. “I encourage these with epilepsy to speak about it,” he says. “Get first help/CPR educated, be armed with data, go to TheCameronBoyceFoundation.org, and be supportive of the epilepsy neighborhood.”