Rock Island Today

For individuals and families of those afflicted with epilepsy, there’s always a worry when it comes to sleep.

The organization Ribbons for Kellsey, along with a donation from the Hammar Family, has set a goal to make sure seizure pillows are available to those who need them.

The Hammond Family, including brothers Thomas and Richard and their mother, Betty, donated $10,000 to Ribbons for Kellsey about a year ago to ensure that anyone in the area needing a pillow can get one for free.

The John C. Hammar Pillow Fund was established in memory of Thomas and Richard’s brother, who in 1967 died after having a grand mal seizure in his sleep and suffocating. He was 17 years old.

“He had his whole future ahead of him. He was just a wonderful individual,” Thomas Hammar said about his brother.

Hammar became involved with Ribbons for Kellsey after he worked to help them obtain their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, Jennifer Holliday, executive director of Ribbons for Kellsey said. 

“What better way to use resources so somebody doesn’t have to go through this,” Hammar said.

The organization was founded by Brandi McGuire for her daughter, Kellsey who has epilepsy. McGuire is the Republican candidate for state House in District 72.

Hammar said after finding working with McGuire he decided to help set up a fund for the pillows.

“We’ll replenish it as it gets used and buy new ones,” Hammar said.

The seizure pillows are made in the United Kingdom. According to the manufacturer’s website, the Sleep Safe anti-suffocation pillow is a micro-mesh pillow that one can see and breathe through. It is also made without dyes that can cause allergies that may trigger a seizure. Currently, the United Kingdom is the only place making these pillows and the company there has been doing so for 24 years.

Hammar said while he can’t speak to the science behind the pillow, “I just know I’m sure my brother would have had a much higher possibility of surviving his seizure if he had one of those.”

Holliday said the pillows, after taxes and duties, cost about $150.  Prior to the Hammar Family’s donation, Ribbons for Kellsey held fundraisers to go toward purchasing the pillows. 

“We do not ever - never once - ever charge to give our pillows to people living with epilepsy,” Holliday said.

Holliday said that the organization has given away pillows to more than 100 people -- mostly in the Quad Cities area. She said some pillows have been given out through a program at the University of Iowa that informs folks about the availability of the pillows.

“Anyone who reaches out to us,” can get a pillow if they have epilepsy, Holliday said.

Holliday said Hammar has helped so many people who are suffering from epilepsy and seizures.

“I just love giving these things,” Hammar said.