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Pittsburgh Council proclaims Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day and honors young author Ryan Lestitian
Summary
Pittsburgh City Council on June 23 recognized Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day and declared a day in honor of local author William Ryan Lestitian. Families and advocates thanked the council and urged continued support for research and services.
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh City Council on June 23 read and approved proclamations recognizing June 23, 2026, as Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day and declaring the same date as Ryan Lestitian Day in the city.
Councilwoman Erika Strassburger introduced the Dravet proclamation, which described Dravet syndrome as a rare, severe form of epilepsy beginning in infancy that often resists treatment and can cause developmental, speech and motor challenges. The council approved the proclamation by voice vote.
Jen Morasco, who introduced herself as Cora’s mother, spoke after the proclamation and described her daughter’s diagnosis at nine months, recounting medical milestones and hospitalizations: “In her 6 years of life, she has endured 40 seizures ranging from 1 minute to 5 and 1/2 hours. She’s been hospitalized 20 times including five admissions to the pediatric intensive care unit,” Morasco said. Morasco thanked local institutions including the University of Pittsburgh and the Children’s Institute and said the proclamation “acknowledges the daily realities faced by families” and helps connect caregivers to resources. “We may be rare, but we are not invisible,” she said.
Separately, Councilman Clark invited 22-year-old William Ryan Lestitian and his family forward to receive a proclamation honoring Lestitian’s recent publication, Cell 900, and his work as a young author. The council approved the proclamation by voice vote. Lestitian thanked family, teachers and his publisher and described his path to publication.
Why it matters: The proclamations provided public recognition for advocacy groups and local residents. Morasco’s remarks highlighted the intense medical and caregiving burdens faced by families living with Dravet syndrome and the role of local hospitals, schools and community providers in supporting them.
The council approved both proclamations during its June 23 meeting; no further formal council action on these proclamations was required.
