HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- They're not just living with epilepsy, dozens of folks in the region are hoping to share facts about it and raise awareness in the community.

Emily Horsely takes her dog Callie with her everywhere she goes, but she's much more than a pet. She's Emily's warning system.

“She warns when I have a seizure and then helps me,” Emily said.

Emily has suffered from epilepsy for more than ten years. Sometimes she has several seizures a day. Callie allows her a peace and comfort.

“She’s a seizure alert dog," Emily explained. "She will lay on me when I’m having a seizure."

Hal McMahon's son suffers from epilepsy, so he sees first hand how it affects people.

“They don't venture out for fear of having a seizure in public," McMahon said. "They many times stay in and we want them to know there is a place where they can come.”

That's why McMahon said he is helping organize a "Weekend of Hope" to bring awareness to the challenges -- and the resources of epilepsy.

McMahon's son Christopher is 21. He's a student at Marshall University.

“My normal everyday is like anyone else, I get up and go to class and study. I don't have seizures all the time," Christopher said. "Whenever I do, people are there to help me."

The Weekend of Hope starts tomorrow with an all day conference from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Marshall University Medical Center in the Harless Auditorium.

The event is free and open to the public. On Saturday at 9 a.m. there is a 5K Run/Walk at Pullman Square, with all proceeds benefiting the Epilepsy Foundation.