The EPIC Foundation Teresa Tapp Legacy Award
2024 Recipient- Sydney Lauren Cassel
Born January 12, 1995
Passed March 21, 2024
The EPIC Foundation honors the legacy of Sydney Lauren Cassel, a chronic illness warrior, friend and mentor to chronic illness warriors everywhere. On March 21, 2024, a beautiful angel gained her wings. This award is presented to Sydney’s family on behalf of Dr. N. Karen Thames (Founder and Executive Director), our executive board of directors, staff, volunteers, and members. The award is given because of the unique qualities represented by someone who leaves an imprint on the world. The qualities for the EPIC legacy award include vision, compassion, and impact.
Vision: Sydney had a vision of giving despite her circumstances. Once she decided that she would share her story to influence positive change in the community, there was no stopping her. It is because of Sydney’s vision that she was able to overcome such adversity and still give to others. Sydney was continually researching to find the most advanced methods of care and she openly shared her information with others who also hoped to get better. Sydney was most certainly a visionary.
Compassion: Sydney had great compassion for everyone she met and knew. To say that she gave tirelessly is an understatement. Sydney reached people all over the world. As the Director of Community Engagement for The EPIC Foundation for seven years before her passing, it was her job to connect with patients, doctors, influencers, and the chronic illness community at large. Sydney had great empathy for anyone who was suffering and therefore, made it her goal to reach as many people as possible. She reached out to marginalized people and made them feel acknowledged. Many people voiced a tremendous sense of loss after Sydney’s passing and expressed how much they felt cared for by her. Sydney most certainly had compassion.
Impact: Sydney was a highly respected advocate, and she was loved by all. She literally reached people all over the world; across the USA, Canada and Germany to name a few. She survived the unimaginable for over a decade and lived to serve others. Increasing awareness was extremely important to Sydney. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California-Davis in Nutrition Science with an emphasis on Public Health. She had planned to continue her studies in the medical field. She took her adversity and turned it into an opportunity with the purpose of helping others. Sydney most certainly left an impact on the world.
May her legacy live on forever.
~Dr. Karen and The EPIC Foundation
Here is a video of Sydney talking about what EPIC meant to her:
In memory of Sydney, we at EPIC would like to bring awareness to patients about securing financial assistance (co-pays) for prescription medications. Sydney required many of these medications throughout her various treatments and co-pay programs were vital to her. There are numerous expensive medications, and financial assistance is available for many of them. Manufacturers have created co-pay programs that reduce out-of-pocket costs significantly. We are happy to help you discover if a co-pay program exists for your medication and help you through the steps of application. Income levels are not considered for these programs. You do need to have commercial or private insurance to qualify. If you have Medicare or other state funded insurance, you will not qualify but you still may qualify for financial assistance through the manufacturer, based on your income level. Let us help you figure this out. Please call Karen Cassel directly at 888-862-5554, Ext. 706 or email karencassel@epictogether.org for assistance.
In memory of Sydney, the EPIC Foundation has established Sydney’s Fund to help those who, like Sydney, have a chronic illness and who need to travel for treatment.
Donations listed in memory of Sydney Cassel will go directly to Sydney’s Fund.
To apply for Sydney’s Fund:
