Epilepsy is a serious, seizure-causing disorder that affects nearly 3 million Americans, with more than 200,000 new cases each year. 45,000 children under the age of 15 develop epilepsy every year, and in 70% of the cases there is no apparent cause. There are more than 326,000 children through age 15 who suffer from epilepsy. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, it remains one of THE least understood chronic medical conditions. 

Jessica Waters was diagnosed with Epilepsy when she was just a little girl. Since then, she has dedicated her life to serving others.  It was only a few months after her diagnosis that she received the gift that would change her life. Waters received a scholarship to attend summer camp for children with epilepsy.

"I could swim, I could rock climb, I could horseback ride. I could do everything that I had wanted to do," remembers Waters. 

Fifteen-year-old remembers riding home in 2009 from Camp Flame Catcher, a camp for children with epilepsy, and telling her parents she wished every child with epilepsy could go to it.   Right after camp, Jessica founded the "Cupcakes For Camp" foundation. It's a bake sale to raise money to send other children to the camp that changed her life.

Since then, she has raised money by selling donated cupcakes to help three children attend camp. She’s also working to raise awareness about epilepsy. The teen has been recognized for her efforts through the Epilepsy Foundation and others.  Jessica is our HERO OF THE WEEK, and she's here today to tell us about her journey.