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 US, 1 in 26 individuals 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 chance. 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, aside from when he developed colic as an toddler. Cameron hardly ever ever received sick,” explains Victor. “When he had his first seizure, we weren’t certain what occurred in any respect till a physician defined it. It was complicated and stunning within the worst method.” Seemingly underneath management after his epilepsy prognosis, his seizures had been spaced out at round a 12 months aside. “Not solely was Cameron not ailing, however he was additionally thriving in his life and profession,” says Victor. “We had been utterly 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 embody involuntary shaking, additionally know as a “match.” When you suppose you’ve skilled a seizure, you will need to search medical recommendation. Whereas there are therapies accessible to assist management epilepsy in lots of instances, SUDEP remains to be not utterly 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 tough at first for a lot of causes, not the least of which was that we had no concept the best way to run a basis. It’s been a steep studying curve, however now we now have a robust staff and a transparent focus for what we wish to obtain. We’re tiny in comparison with different extra well-established epilepsy foundations, however we now have a singular platform as a result of Cameron is so beloved. Our major objective 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 typically 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 embody Adam Sandler, Sofia Carson, Dove Cameron, Salma Hayek, Maz Jobrani, Wendy Raquel Robinson and lots 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 Good points ‘Each day Remedy’ Although Biking

“My son was born with a magnetism that’s onerous 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 received freedom by going out on a bicycle. You may journey quite a bit farther by bike than by strolling. As an grownup, it’s extra of a every 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 inconceivable. For instance, in 2020, I accrued over 1,000,000 vertical toes of elevation acquire in a single 12 months. 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 experience with a terrific group of males and many people compete in organized races and occasions,” he explains. “Final 12 months I used to be a part of a four-man staff 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. While you really feel higher your temper is best which in flip helps your relationships with household and associates. If you end up match you’re extra assured and comfy in your individual pores and skin.”

Discovering consolation and comaradery by way of biking has been a terrific distraction for Victor. “It’s fascinating how small the biking group is,” he explains. “The general public I experience with are associates of associates. Some are my neighbors and lots of others are individuals who I’ve met on Strava. It’s been very natural and among the folks I’ve met have grow to be expensive associates. 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 assist/CPR skilled, be armed with data, go to TheCameronBoyceFoundation.org, and be supportive of the epilepsy group.”