top of page
THE CAUSE
WHAT IS EPILEPSY
Epilepsy is the name given to an imbalance of the nervous system that causes two or more seizures or fits. Seizures can range from very mild, affecting people’s vision or attention for a few seconds, to major seizures with muscle spasms and lack of consciousness for a time. Epilepsy can start at any age, but usually either during childhood or in old age.
Epilepsy Facts
the Facts
-
Epilepsy affects over 50 million people worldwide, including 300,000 American children under the age of 14
-
Epilepsy affects more people than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease COMBINED
-
Almost 500 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed every day in the U.S.
-
Epilepsy claims more lives than breast cancer every year
-
Funding for epilepsy research lags significantly behind other diseases and disorders
OUR MISSION
Raise money and awareness for epilepsy research and program services for children with special needs.
Overview
-
The Joseph Gomoll Foundation was formed as a 501(c)(3) in 2010
-
Honors 4 year old Joey Gomoll who passed away after suffering from a rare form of epilepsy
-
Joey loved music and we use music in all of our fundraising activities
-
The sale of Joey's Song charity compilation CDs and live benefit concerts are our main fundraising activities
The Music
-
There are 5 CDs in the Joey's Song series, including 2 CDs just for children
-
Over 80 internationally known, award winning artists have donated their music to Joey's Song
-
The Joey's Song artists are Grammy winners, Hall of Fame members, and ACM/CMA/AMA/Juno winners to name just a few of the awards they have won
-
The artists on Joey's Song are responsible for over 50 #1 hits and well over 100 Top 40 songs
-
Joey's Song CDs have been played on radio stations around the world and have been purchased and downloaded by people in over 25 countries worldwide.
The Numbers
-
Joey's Song is a 100% volunteer organization
-
We have been a part of over $500,000 raised
-
Over 80% of all the funds we have raised have gone directly to other charities who support epilepsy research and programs for children with special needs and epilepsy
the Numbers
WHO WE SUPPORT
Since our founding in 2010, we have been a part of over $500,000 raised. The main recipients of our funds going forward will be the charities listed below. You may click on the charities logo to visit their website and learn more about how they are helping in the fight against epilepsy.
%20Logo.png)
OUR BOARD MEMBERS
.jpg)
MIKE GOMOLL
FOUNDER, PRESIDENT
Mike Gomoll founded Joey's Song in the spring of 2010 following his son Joey's death after a 5 year fight against epilepsy. He has worked at I.B.M. for almost 25 years in various marketing roles. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin and his MBA from DePaul University.
Mike lives in Sun Prairie WI with his wife Nory and their children Julia and Sam.
Who We Support
KEVIN BAIRD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mr. Baird has been the Executive Director of Joey's Song since its' establishment in 2010. Prior to joining Joey's Song he spent 25 years with IBM in various technical, marketing and sales positions.
He graduated from Westminster College of Salt Lake City with a BS in Computer Science and a BS in Speech, Theater Arts.
Kevin resides in Dunedin Fl with his wife Jane and their two dogs. Jane is a frequent volunteer at Joey's Song helping with everything from administrative to strategy.
JOHN BLOEMER
SECRETARY
Currently is employed as Director of Engineering with Aprilaire in Madison, WI. He graduated from University of Akron with a BSME in 1984. Through his carrier he has developed products for Scott & Fetzer, Kohler, Saris and Aprilaire. He is inventor on over 15 US and foreign patents. He has been a member of the Sun Prairie community
for 20 years.
He, his wife, and daughter are proud to call the Gomoll family our neighbors and more importantly friends.
JOE FOWLER
HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBER
Joe Fowler was a friend of the Gomoll family for over 40 years. He was active in the initial phases of the foundations setup and was a constant presence at all events and was a guiding force behind the scenes. Joe passed away a few years ago, succumbing to esophageal cancer. In his memory Joey’s Song also donates to pediatric cancer charities when it is able. Joe Fowler will always be an honorary board member of the Joseph Gomoll Foundation.
CHERYL PAWELSKI
EXTERNAL ADVISORY BOARD, MUSIC INDUSTORY LIASON
Two-time Grammy® Award-winning producer, Cheryl Pawelski has, for more than 30 years, been entrusted with preserving, curating, and championing some of music’s greatest legacies. Before co-founding Omnivore Entertainment Group, she held positions at Rhino, Concord, and EMI-Capitol Records. In addition to producing releases for Omnivore Recordings, Pawelski is a sought-after producer and resource for artists, estates, media entities, and labels.
She has served as a Governor, Secretary, VP, and Trustee for The Recording Academy, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Blues Foundation, the Industry Advisory Board for the Center For Recorded Music, the Farm Aid Development Advisory Council, and is the External Advisory Board/Music Industry Liaison for Joey’s Song.
Our Board Members
DAVID RAMSEUR
TREASURER
David Ramseur is currently the Dean of The Joseph Business School’s Entrepreneurship program located in Forest Park, IL and the President of Ramseur Capital Group. Additionally, David has more than 15 years of sales experience in the computer and technology industries.
He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA in finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He has worked for technology companies such as IBM, Computer Associates International, Datalogix / Oracle and SynQuest.David is married with one son and resides in Woodridge, IL
KRISTIN SEABORG
EXTERNAL ADVISORY BOARD, EPILEPSY RESEARCH LIASON
Kristin Seaborg is a primary care pediatrician practicing at Group Health Cooperative in Madison, Wisconsin. Kristin obtained both her undergraduate degree and MD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She lives in Middleton with her husband, Andrew, and three children.
TODD SEARS
BOARD MEMBER
Todd Sears graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Marketing.During his career in the newspaper industry he has held several positions at properties in Nebraska, Wisconsin, New Jersey and Virginia. He currently is the President and Publisher of the Omaha World-Herald.He and his wife Brenna reside in Omaha Nebraska and have two sons, Joey and Jackson.
EILEEN SUTULA
EXTERNAL ADVISORY BOARD,
EPILEPSY RESEARCH COMMUNITY LIASON
Eileen Sutula is the founder of Madison Friends of CURE ( Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy), whose mission is to raise awareness and much needed funds for scientific research in the area of epilepsy. Her efforts are concentrated in Madison and surrounding Wisconsin communities.
Eileen received her Masters Degree in Psychological Counseling from Boston College, and retired after many years as a family advocate at Early Head Start. She is the proud mom of three daughters...and 7 grandchildren.
She lives in Madison with her husband, Tom, who is a neurologist specializing in Epilepsy at the University of Wisconsin.
bottom of page