News Releases

• Congress and President Bush Restore the Promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act
  
  Washington, D.C., September 25, 2008—The Epilepsy Foundation applauds Congress and President Bush for passing the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), which secures protections against workplace discrimination for every American with a disability.
  

• Epilepsy Foundation Announces Updated First Responder Training Video as Another Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Police is Filed
  
  Washington, D.C., August 15, 2008–The Epilepsy Foundation today again urged first responder organizations to take advantage of seizure awareness and response training offered by the Foundation’s affiliates across the country. This action comes as another wrongful death lawsuit is filed.
  
  

• Patients Urged to Take Action in Response to New CDC Data
  
  Washington, D.C., August 8, 2008–The Epilepsy Foundation urges people who have experienced seizures to take advantage of a new resource, NoMoreSeizures.org, to become active partners in managing their treatment for the condition.
  
  

• Employer and Disability Groups Form Historic Alliance to Support the Americans with Disabilities Act
  
  Washington, D.C., June 18, 2008—Following the House mark up of the ADA Amendments Act – an unprecedented alliance of employers and disability and civil rights advocates will announce a new partnership – the Employer & Disability Alliance – to promote updates to the ADA on press conference call on Wednesday, June 18.
  
  

• Epilepsy Foundation Honors the Medtronic Foundation for Putting People First

  Minneapolis, June 5, 2008—The Epilepsy Foundation honored the Medtronic Foundation today for its ongoing dedication and determination to helping people with chronic neurological conditions. The award was presented by the Epilepsy Foundation’s president and CEO, Eric R. Hargis, during a ceremony at Medtronic’s world headquarters in Fridley, Minn.
  

  
  
• The Epilepsy Foundation Sheds Light on Seizures
  

  Landover, MD, May 19, 2008—The Epilepsy Foundation today released important information about epilepsy and seizure disorders to dispel prevalent myths in the wake of recent news about Senator Edward Kennedy (D–Mass). Senator Kennedy, 76, one of the longest-serving members of the U.S. Senate, reportedly experienced a seizure on Saturday.
  
  

• Children with Epilepsy Take Over Capitol Hill to Urge Congress for Change
  
  Washington, D.C., March 28, 2008—Hundreds of children and their families will journey from across the country to Capitol Hill to take part in the Epilepsy Foundation’s annual Kids Speak Up! campaign from Sunday, March 30, 2008, until Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
  
  
  
• Children's Lives May Be Endangered as Child Care Centers Refuse to Administer Emergency Medication
  
  Landover, MD (March 13, 2008)— The Epilepsy Foundation recently joined in a lawsuit against a national chain of child care centers that refuses to administer a potentially life-saving medication to children with epilepsy. The suit was originally filed on behalf of an 8-year-old California boy when a Tutor Time Learning Centers, LLC, child care center refused to administer diazepam rectal gel (sold under the brand name Diastat AcuDial). The Foundation has joined the lawsuit as a plaintiff to represent the many children with epilepsy around the country who may have been prevented from attending any of the 200 child care centers affiliated with the Tutor Time chain because of their refusal to administer this medication.
  
  
  
• Baltimore Ravens Star to Attend National Walk for Epilepsy
  
  Landover, MD March 10, 2008— The Epilepsy Foundation announced today that Baltimore Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle will participate in the 2nd annual Walk for Epilepsy on Saturday, March 29, 2008, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The National Walk for Epilepsy (www.WalkforEpilepsy.org) is a family-oriented, noncompetitive, two-mile walk in our nation’s capital to raise funds for treatment and education programs for people with epilepsy and their caregivers.
  
  
  
• Valentine's Day Connected to Epilepsy
  
  Landover, MD, February 13, 2008— Valentine's Day is not just for lovers. The celebration in honor of the patron saint of lovers, St. Valentine, takes on greater meaning when you consider he is also the patron saint of epilepsy — a common neurological condition that causes seizures, and affects more than 3 million children and adults in the United States.
  
  
  
• Epilepsy Foundation Urges Congress to Pass the ADA Restoration Act of 2007
  
  Landover, MD, January 29, 2008—The Epilepsy Foundation commends the House Education and Labor Committee for holding today’s hearing on the ADA Restoration Act of 2007. This third such hearing in Congress indicates a growing commitment to this important legislation. The Epilepsy Foundation believes that this legislation must be passed in order to ensure that all individuals with disabilities are restored their right to protection against unfair discrimination in the workplace because of physical or mental impairments.

• Epilepsy Research Foundation and the Milken Family Foundation Announce Recipients of Translational Research Grants to Support Pioneering Epilepsy Therapies
  
  Reston, VA, December 4, 2007– The Epilepsy Research Foundation (ERF), a unique joint venture of three non-profit epilepsy organizations to identify and accelerate the development of promising epilepsy research, and the Milken Family Foundation, a private philanthropic foundation, today announced three recipients of translational research funds totaling over $250,000. The research awards are designed to support exciting, innovative therapies through laboratory research or early clinical development and are being presented to physicians and scientists actively advancing the research with important, near-term patient benefits. The announcements by representatives of the Epilepsy Therapy Project, the Epilepsy Foundation, and Finding a Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures (FACES), as well as the Milken Family Foundation, were made during the annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, the professional organization of epilepsy physicians and scientists convened in Philadelphia, PA.
  
  
  
• Leading Epilepsy Groups Unveil New Survey Results Challenging Patients to Take Charge of Their Health
  
  Philadelphia, PA, December 3, 2007-- While the nation’s epilepsy specialists have adopted “no seizures, no side effects” as a major goal for people with epilepsy, a new survey shows that less than half of patients with active epilepsy are informed by their doctors about treatment options. The American Epilepsy Society and the Epilepsy Foundation today announced results from the jointly sponsored patient survey underscoring the need for enhanced patient knowledge of treatment objectives and improved patient-physician dialogue for better epilepsy care. The two organizations are raising awareness of the survey results to empower patients to seek more from their treatment to improve epilepsy control. The survey was supported through a sponsorship by Pfizer Inc.
  
  
  
• Hollywood Hero Shines Spotlight on Epilepsy
  
  Landover, MD, November 1, 2007 --The Epilepsy Foundation announced today that Greg Grunberg, a member of NBC’s Emmy-nominated ensemble drama series Heroes, will serve as spokesperson and a team leader for the National Walk for Epilepsy (WalkforEpilepsy.org) to be held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
  
  
  
• First Youth Council Meeting Charts Course for the Next Two Years

  Landover, Md., January 16, 2007 --The Youth Council of the Epilepsy Foundation convened its first-ever meeting concurrent with the recent meeting of the Foundation's board of directors. The focus was to create a strategic action plan for the next two years to cover the Foundation's youth programming and how the Foundation will reach out to both young people with epilepsy and young people who do not have epilepsy.
  
  

• CBS' The Young and the Restlessto Promote Epilepsy Awareness Through Story Featuring Longtime Character Victor Newman

  New York, N.Y. and Washington, D.C., June 29, 2006 --The number one daytime drama The Young and the Restlesswill feature a story promoting epilepsy awareness when longtime character Victor Newman is diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy in an episode to be broadcast Monday, July 17on the CBS Television Network.
  
  

• Epilepsy Research Foundation Announces Translational Research Funding Awards

  New York, N.Y., May 22, 2006 --The Epilepsy Research Foundation, a collaboration of several non-profit organizations, and a supporting organization of the Epilepsy Foundation and the Epilepsy Therapy Development Project today announced two recipients of translational research funds totaling $190,000 for work to advance a promising and potent new epilepsy drug, and for the development of an imaging contrast agent that for the first time will make epileptogenic tissue visible to MRI.
  
  

• Epilepsy Foundation Announces Unique Partnership Bringing Newly Published Research Findings to the Public

  Washington, D.C., May 3, 2006 --The Epilepsy Foundation today announced a unique partnership with Elsevier that, for the first time, will make articles from a leading epilepsy journal freely accessible by the public as soon as the articles are published.
  
  

• Kids Speak Up!on Capitol Hill About Epilepsy

  Washington, D.C., March 21, 2006 --Children with epilepsy and their families will converge on Capitol Hill to take part in the Epilepsy Foundation's Kids Speak Up! Campaign. The participants will meet with their congressional representatives on March 30, 2006 on behalf of the 2.7 million Americans living with epilepsy.
  
  

• Epilepsy Foundation Salutes Steelers' Alan Faneca on Super Bowl Sunday

  Landover, Md., February 2, 2006 --The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to the Super Bowl and – to many people with epilepsy and their families – all eyes will be on Pittsburgh All-Pro Guard Alan Faneca. Why? It's because he has become an inspiration to almost 3 million Americans living with epilepsy.
  
  

• 12^thAnnual Distinguished Journalism Awards: Call For Entries

  Washington, D.C., January 24, 2006 (Updated)-- The Epilepsy Foundation is now accepting entries for the 12^thAnnual Distinguished Journalism Awards. The awards program recognizes consumer broadcast, print, and Internet journalists who have contributed significantly to the public's understanding of epilepsy; efforts to find its cause and cure; and ways those who have the disorder – and their families – cope with the disorder at home and in the workplace.
  
  

• Foundation Repeats Call for Universal Protocols, Seizure Management Training for First Responders

  Landover, Md., December 13, 2005 --The Epilepsy Foundation today called again for the universal adoption of protocols and training requirements for law enforcement and emergency response teams in response to the troubling verdict in the case of an Arizona State University student with epilepsy who died after emergency medical technicians (EMTs), responding to his seizure, restrained him.
  

• Epilepsy Experts Elected to National Epilepsy Foundation Advisory Board

  Landover, Md., December 13, 2005 --At its 2005 annual meeting, the Epilepsy Foundation professional advisory board elected epilepsy experts from the U.S. and Canada as members of the national advisory group. The experts included:

  • Frank Gilliam, M.D., M/P.H., an expert in epilepsy as a major national health problem;
  • Edward B. Bromfield, M.D., a practicing neurologist, educator and research scientist at Harvard Medical School;
  • Janice M.Buelow, Ph.D., a nursing educator and expert on the impact of epilepsy on children's lives;
  • Jeffrey R. Buchhalter, M.D., Ph.D., an expert in childhood epilepsy and genetics of the condition at Mayo Medical Center;
  • Kimford J. Meador, M.D., an expert on the use of anticonvulsant medications in women of children-bearing age;
  • Page Pennell, M.D., an expert on women’s issues in epilepsy and other neurological disorders;
  • Dale C. Hesdorffer, Ph.D., an expert in the epidemiology of epilepsy and its impact on individuals and society;
  • Malachy L. Bishop, Ph.D., CRC, an expert in rehabilitation counseling at the University of Kentucky;
  • Thomas J. McCarrier, an expert in emergency medical care and first responder training; and
  • Michael C. Smith, M.D., an expert on the medical and surgical treatment of epilepsy.
    
    
• Epilepsy Foundation Announces Free Forum to Help Patients Maximize Care

  Landover, Md., October 19, 2005 --A free Epilepsy Empowerment Forum, hosted by the Epilepsy Foundation and sponsored by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, will take place on Saturday, October 29, from 10 a.m. until Noon (CST) at the Martin Recital Hall on the campus of Dominican University in River Forest. Persons unable to attend can dial in toll-free or join an online presentation.
  

• Survey: Beliefs about Epilepsy among Hispanics a Significant National Health Issue

  Landover, Md., October 16, 2005 --A national survey conducted for the Epilepsy Foundation and released today has found that a large proportion of Hispanics in the United States fear epilepsy, often attribute seizures to substance abuse and spiritual causes, and would most likely hide a family member who has the disorder.
  

• Call to Action for all Women Taking Anticonvulsant Medications
  

  Landover, Md., October 4, 2005 --The Epilepsy Foundation, in cooperation with medical experts and representatives from leading medical professional and voluntary health organizations, has issued a "Call to Action" urging women of childbearing age who take anticonvulsant medications to talk to their healthcare providers about treatment options.
  

• Epilepsy Foundation Announces 2005 Journalism Award Winners
  

  Landover, Md., September 22, 2005 --The Epilepsy Foundation's annual Journalism Awards honor media professionals and organizations that have made significant contributions over the previous year to increasing awareness and disseminating accurate information about epilepsy.

• Experts Issue Recommendations to Protect Public from Seizures Induced by TV/Video Games
  Technical Parameters Are First to Be Developed for Use by Industry in the U.S.
  

  Landover, Md., September 19, 2005 --The Epilepsy Foundation working group of experts on photic- and pattern-induced seizures today released its recommendations for preventing seizures provoked by dynamic light and imaging sources such as television, videogames, websites, motion pictures and other media.

• Epilepsy Foundation Issues Emergency Information for Hurricane Evacuees with Epilepsy
  

  Landover, Md., September 2, 2005 --Following a series of recent news reports from the afflicted Gulf Coast, the Epilepsy Foundation today issued recommendations for people with epilepsy requiring daily medication to prevent seizures and who have been dislocated from areas hard-hit by Hurricane Katrina.

• New FDA Approval for VNS Therapy Provides Potential 2-in-1 Treatment for People with Epilepsy
  

  Landover, Md., July 20, 2005 --The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's recent approval of Vagus Nerve Stimulation therapy for treatment of chronic depression provides a novel single-treatment option for two major symptoms suffered by people with epilepsy.

• Lawsuit Filed Alleging First Responders Caused Seizure Deaths
  

  Landover, Md., July 13, 2005 --Responding to recent deaths and serious injuries of people with epilepsy during the course of emergency medical services by first responders, the Epilepsy Foundation today called for the universal adoption of protocols and training requirements to ensure that first responders properly identify and respond to persons experiencing seizures.

• Topamax Approval Latest of FDA Actions to Improve Lives of People with Seizures
  

  Landover, Md., June 30, 2005 --Today's announced FDA approval of Topamax (topiramate) as initial monotherapy in people ages 10 and above with partial onset or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (convulsions) significantly raises the chances of early treatment success for patients newly diagnosed with the disorder.

• FDA Keppra Approval Good News for Children with Epilepsy
  

  Landover, Md., June 23. 2005 --Today's announcement concerning Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Keppra (levetiracetam) as add-on therapy in treating partial-onset seizures in children is good news for families whose children have persistent seizures despite their current treatment.

• Epilepsy Foundation Statement in Support of the Family Medical Leave Act
  

  Landover, Md., June 23. 2005 --The Epilepsy Foundation, on behalf of 2.7 million Americans with epilepsy, strongly supports the original intent and language of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), as enacted in 1993.

• FACES Joins Epilepsy Research Foundation As Partner
  

  Reston, Va., Landover, Md., New York, NY, June 22, 2005 --The Epilepsy Project and the Epilepsy Foundation, non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing innovative new therapies for people afflicted with epilepsy, today announced that a third leading epilepsy organization, Finding A Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures (FACES) joins them as partner in The Epilepsy Research Foundation.

• Epilepsy Research Foundation Announces Recipients of New Therapy Grants Program Awards
  

  Reston, Va., Landover, Md., June 22, 2005 --The Epilepsy Project and the Epilepsy Foundation, non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing innovative new therapies for people afflicted with epilepsy, today announced the three recipients of their New Therapy Grants Program biannual review. These grants are providing a record $425,000 to advance translational research projects in epilepsy.

• Epilepsy Research Foundation Issues New Million Dollar Epilepsy Research Funding Challenge
  

  Reston, Va., Landover, Md., June 22, 2005 --The Epilepsy Project and the Epilepsy Foundation announced today a new million dollar fundraising challenge to finance the New Therapy Grants Program—an initiative of the two organizations' collaborative Epilepsy Research Foundation.

• FDA Pregabalin Approval A Much Anticipated and Welcome Development
  

  Landover, Md., June 14, 2005 --Responding to the announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of pregabalin (marketed under the brand name Lyrica) in the treatment of epilepsy, representatives of the Epilepsy Foundation said the medication is a much anticipated new option in controlling difficult to treat seizures. In an announcement released on Monday, the Pfizer drug was approved as add-on therapy for adults with partial onset seizures.

• Former Congressman to Lead Epilepsy Foundation Board of Directors

  Landover, Md., May 20, 2005 --Former California Congressman Tony Coelho, primary author and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act, was elected chair of the Epilepsy Foundation's board of directors, during the board's recent spring meeting.
  

• National Epilepsy Organization to Honor Therapeutic Device Maker

  Landover, Md., May 18, 2005 --The Epilepsy Foundation will honor Cyberonics, Inc., the Houston-based therapeutic device maker, and its chairman and CEO, Robert "Skip" Cummins, at a gala benefit May 26, at Pier Sixty at Manhattan’s Chelsea Piers. Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, who stars in Eyes, the new ABC television detective series, will emcee the event.
  

• Epilepsy Foundation Announces Free Forum to Help Patients Maximize Care

  Landover, Md., May 4, 2005 --The first of two free Epilepsy Empowerment Forums, hosted by the Epilepsy Foundation, will take place Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m. until noon at the Scottsdale campus of Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Persons unable to attend can dial in toll-free or join an online presentation.
  

• The Epilepsy Foundation Honors Young Artists

  Landover, Md., April 1, 2005 --The Epilepsy Foundation announces two winners for the Get the WORD Out!contest, a national competition that seeks to raise awareness about epilepsy among youth ages 10 to 18, reduce the stigma associated with the disorder and encourage respect for young people with epilepsy.
  

• Kids Speak Up! on Capitol Hill About Epilepsy at 4th Annual Event

  Landover, Md., March 10, 2005 --Children with epilepsy and their families will converge on Capitol Hill to take part in the Epilepsy Foundation’s Kids Speak Up! Campaign. The participants will meet with their senate or congressional representatives on April 6, 2005, on behalf of the 2.5 million Americans living with epilepsy.

• Foundation President Selected as 2005 Ambassador of Epilepsy Award Recipient

  Landover, Md., March 3, 2005 --Eric R. Hargis, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Epilepsy Foundation, has been selected by the International Bureau for Epilepsy and the International League Against Epilepsy to receive the 2005 Ambassador for Epilepsy Award during the 26th International Epilepsy Congress in August.

• Grant Awarded to CURE to Support Study of Human Brain Tissue in Developing Epilepsy Treatments and Cures

  Reston, Va. and Landover, Md., December 14, 2004 --The Epilepsy Project and the Epilepsy Foundation, non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of epilepsy patients, today announced the award of a grant to CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy) to support the STAR (Share Tissue, Advance Research) Epilepsy Tissue Exchange Program.

• Grants Awarded to Advance New Therapies and Devices for Treatment of Seizures

  Reston, Va. and Landover, Md., December 14, 2004 --The Epilepsy Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of epilepsy patients, today announced the three inaugural grant recipients of the New Therapy Grants Program, the organization's joint translational research initiative with the Epilepsy Foundation.

• Media Advisory: Birth Defects and Antiepileptic Drugs: Emerging Data Points to Differing Levels of Risk

  Landover, MD, December 2, 2004-- Data from several global pregnancy registries were discussed by leading experts at scientific meeting via teleconference on Tuesday, December 7, 2004.

• Health Myths Persist, Survey Reveals

  Landover, MD, November 24, 2004-- A newly-released Epilepsy Foundation study shows Americans hold incorrect beliefs about the common cold, arthritis and epilepsy.

• 2.5 Million Americans with Epilepsy About to be Heard

  Landover, MD, October 27, 2004-- November 1st is more than just the day before 2004 elections it also marks the beginning of National Epilepsy Awareness Month. This year, the National Epilepsy Foundation is on a charge to help Get the WORD Out!

• The Epilepsy Project and the Epilepsy Foundation Announce Partnership to Form The Epilepsy Research Foundation

  Reston, VA, and Landover, MD, August 18, 2004-- The Epilepsy Project and the Epilepsy Foundation, non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of epilepsy patients, today announced a joint venture to form The Epilepsy Research Foundation, a national non-profit organization that will focus on expediting breakthrough translational research and the commercialization of new epilepsy therapies.

• 11th Annual Journalism Awards Call for Entries

  Washington, D.C., November 30, 2004-- The deadline for entries for the Epilepsy Foundation's 11th Annual Distinguished Journalism Awards is June 3, 2005. The awards program recognizes consumer broadcast, print, and Internet journalists who have contributed significantly to the public's understanding of epilepsy, efforts to find its cause and cure, and ways those who have epilepsy - and their families - cope with the disorder at home and in the workplace.

• Actress to Help Foundation Get the WORD Out!During Epilepsy Month

  Landover, MD, October 20, 2004-- Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, known for her current role on the television show, NYPD Bluewill add her voice to the Epilepsy Foundation's efforts to increase epilepsy awareness. November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month.

• Disabilities Judgment Positive, But Too Limited, Advocates Maintain

  Washington, D.C., May 18, 2004-- The Epilepsy Foundation, representing 2.5 million Americans with seizures, hailed the U.S. Supreme Court's May 16 decision in Tennessee v. Lane to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities to sue states on the basis of disability-based discrimination. However, it viewed with alarm the Court's narrowed focus on access to courts and to rights guaranteed by the Due Process Clause of the Constitution rather than on the broader access to programs and services required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• American Academy of Neurology and American Epilepsy Society Guidelines for Treating of Epilepsy

  San Francisco, CA, April 26, 2004-- The number of drugs available to treat epilepsy have more than doubled in the last decade. The American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society have assembled the top experts in the field to evaluate the available data of more than 1,400 research articles in order to create a guideline for the treatment of epilepsy with the new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

• Epilepsy Guidelines Will Improve Treatment and Access

  San Francisco, CA, April 26, 2004-- New guidelines released today by the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society aim to educate physicians about options to treat their patients and provide patients with epilepsy an improved quality of life, according to Eric Hargis, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation, a voluntary health organization representing 2.5 million Americans with epilepsy.

• Transcript of Hargis Remarks at Media Briefing on New Antiepileptic Drug Guidelines

  San Francisco, CA, April 26, 2004-- Eric Hargis, President and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation, presented remarks at the April 26, 2004, American Medical Association briefing on the new guidelines on antiepileptic drugs issued by the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society.

• Children FromAcross America Tell U.S. Congress About Their Personal Battles with Epilepsy

  Washington, D.C., March 22, 2004-- Children with epilepsy and their families will converge on Capitol Hill Tuesday, March 23, 2004, tospeak to their Senate and House of Representatives' membersabout epilepsy, its disabling impact on their daily lives and the federally-funded epilepsy programs they hope Congress will approve.

• Epilepsy Foundation Supports Right of Persons with Epilepsy and Other Disabilities to Access State Government Programs, Services

  Washington, D.C., February 2, 2004-- The Epilepsy Foundation has filed an amicus curiae(friend of the court) brief in a pivotal case before the U.S. Supreme Court that will determine whether states are immune from suits for money damages that are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II.

• Michigan Neurologist Elected New Head of National Epilepsy Advisory Board

  Boston, Mass., December 17, 2003-- At its annual meeting held in Boston recently, the Epilepsy Foundation’s Professional Advisory Board (PAB) elected Gregory L. Barkley, M.D., chair of the national advisory group.

• Epilepsy Held to be Widely Recognized but Poorly Understood

  Washington, D.C., December 3, 2003-- Epilepsy is a widely recognized health condition, but one that is poorly understood, even among those who know someone with the disorder, according to a new study by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The survey report is published in the November issue of Epilepsia, the journal of the International League Against Epilepsy.

• Epilepsy Foundation Asks Congress to Address Epilepsy’s Devastating Impact

  Washington, D.C., December 2, 2003-- Featuring key speakers from public health, medical and consumer arenas, the Epilepsy Foundation's Congressional briefing, entitled "Epilepsy: A New Agenda for Health Today," focused on the partnership between the epilepsy community and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the devastating personal impact of the disorder, and what Congress can do to help. It also addressed the recommendations of a major conference, titled Living Well with Epilepsy II, held in Baltimore last summer.

• Epilepsy Foundation Issues Challenge to Presidential Candidates; Endorses Tony Coelho's Five-Point Platform to Restore, Promote Disability Employment Rights

  Washington, D.C., November 4, 2003-- In a unanimous vote over the weekend, the Epilepsy Foundation's national board of directors called on all candidates in the 2004 Presidential race to reverse recent judicial trends and restore the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to its original purpose of protecting people with epilepsy and a broad spectrum of individuals with disabilities. The board endorsed the five-point Work Agenda Challenge to Presidential hopefuls recently issued by former Congressman Tony Coelho, the principal author of the ADA, who has epilepsy.

• Epilepsy Foundation Announces 9th Annual Distinguished Journalism Award Winners

  Washington, D.C., October 13, 2003-- The Epilepsy Foundation has announced the winners of its 9th Annual Distinguished Journalism Awards for newspaper, radio and television reporting. The winners are Brie Zeltner of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Sarah Ryan of WSRS-FM radio, Worcester, MA, and correspondent Edie Magnus and producer John Block of the Dateline NBC television network program.

• Epilepsy Foundation Names Florida Community Activist National Winner of "Making a Difference" Award

  Washington, D.C., October 13, 2003-- A community activist with epilepsy who rallies her town around disabilities issues, takes on city hall to improve living conditions for residents of group living facilities, and advocates against flashing lights that are potential seizure triggers, has been named the national winner of the Epilepsy Foundation’s 2003 national “Making a Difference” Award.

• Foundation Officials Welcome FDA Approval of New Monotherapy Treatment for Children

  Washington, D.C., August 7, 2003-- Representatives of the Epilepsy Foundation said today they welcomed the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) action in approving oxcarbazapine (Trileptal) as monotherapy in the treatment of partial seizures in children aged four and above. The announcement gives families and their physicians another potential alternative to the multiple anticonvulsant medications that many children take each day to control their seizures.

• Restrictions Eased on Air Travel by People with Epilepsy; Airlines Urged to Adopt New Aerospace Medical Association Guidelines

  Washington, D.C., July 3, 2003-- The Epilepsy Foundation has notified people with epilepsy that Medical Guidelines for Airline Travel recently revised by the Aerospace Medical Association now provide appropriate guidance for air travel by people with the disorder. The guidelines for the first time explicitly acknowledge that, “In general, most patients with epilepsy can fly safely.”

• Children from 26 States Seek Congressional Support in Dealing with Epilepsy

  Washington, D.C., April 7, 2003-- Young advocates with epilepsy and their families from 26 states will converge on Capitol Hill Wednesday, April 9 to seek support from their Senate and Congressional representatives in their struggle against epilepsy and its medical and social consequences.

• New FDA Approved Device Labeling Offers Improved Care For Women with Epilepsy

  Washington, D.C., April 2, 2003-- Women with epilepsy who worry that their current therapy poses a risk to their unborn offspring are encouraged by the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration action concerning the lack of teratogenic effects in one form of therapy.

• Pregnancy Registry Reports Drug Risk To Fetus

  Washington, D.C., February 14, 2003-- A report from a research team headed by the director of the Harvard-based Antiepileptic Drug (AED) Pregnancy Registry details for the first time the risk of birth defects in women taking a widely used anticonvulsant drug.

• Foundation Warns Parents About 'Kangaroo Jack'

  Washington, D.C., January 27, 2003-- The Epilepsy Foundation is warning parents of children with epilepsy that the recently released Warner Bros movie "Kangaroo Jack" contains references to epilepsy that may be painful to their youngsters.

• Foundation Says FDA Action Gives Doctors New Option For Treating Difficult Seizures in Children

  Washington, D.C., January 20, 2003-- Representatives of the Epilepsy Foundation said today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s clearance of lamotrigine (Lamictal) as adjunctive therapy in pediatric patients brings new hope to many families struggling with the disorder.

• Extended Release Form of Epilepsy Medication Called Good News for People with Epilepsy

  Washington, D.C., December 23, 2002-- Representatives of the Epilepsy Foundation said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of Depakote ER (divalproex sodium extended release) for the treatment of epilepsy is excellent news for people with seizures. Epilepsy affects 2.3 million Americans, the majority of which must take medication daily to help control their seizures.

• Epilepsy Month 2002

  Washington, D.C., November 1, 2002-- November is Epilepsy Month, and the Epilepsy Foundation is launching an Entitled to Respectcampaign including these materials: (Note: to view these files, you will need Adobe Acrobat reader. You can get it herefree.)

  • Epilepsy Month Proclamation
  • Campaign Press Release
  • Backgrounder on Entitled to Respect
  • Epilepsy Fact Sheet
  • Backgrounder on Linda K. Warner(Parent Spokesperson)
  • Backgrounder on Martha J. Morrell, M.D.(Physician Spokesperson)
  • Backgrounder on Alessandro Azzato(Teen Spokesperson)
  • Backgrounder on Robby Wiercyski('Tween Spokesperson)
    
    
• Alabama Woman Gets National Recognition for Turning Personal Tragedy into Social Benefit

  Washington, D.C., August 28, 2002-- When Lee Brown found herself wrongfully committed to a mental hospital because of her epilepsy, facing a divorce and loss of custody of her only son, little did she imagine that one day, out of her own personal battle, an oasis for other people with epilepsy would be born.

• Kentucky Girl With Epilepsy Bravely Battles Life-Long Disorder

  Washington, D.C., August 19, 2002-- While most children settle in for a long night of peaceful slumber with a good bedtime story, 10-year old Destiny Ann Osborne worries that she might awake suddenly in the throes of a seizure caused by nocturnal epilepsy.

• Epilepsy Foundation Announces National Family Conference in New Orleans

  Washington, D.C., July 29, 2002-- The Epilepsy Foundation has announced that its 34th annual national family conference will be held from September 12th to 14th at the Fairmont Hotel in New Orleans.

• Epilepsy Foundation Urges Passage of the Family Opportunity Act S. 321

  Washington, D.C., July 11, 2002-- The Epilepsy Foundation strongly supports the Family Opportunity Act, also titled the Dylan Lee James Act (S. 321).

• Epilepsy Foundation Says New VNS Therapy More Patient-Friendly

  Washington, D.C., June 24, 2002-- Today's announcement of a significantly smaller, lighter-weight, implantable electrical stimulation device just approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is good news for people with seizures.

• Epilepsy Foundation Appoints William Allen Vice President of Development

  Washington, D.C., May 22, 2002-- William A. Allen of Warrenton, Virginia, has been appointed Vice President of Development for the Epilepsy Foundation effective June 4, 2002.

• Epilepsy Foundation Alerts Congress to Women's Health Risks

  Washington, D.C., May 20, 2002-- The Epilepsy Foundation will alert Congress to the unique health risks facing many women with epilepsy in a briefing today at 12:30 p.m. in B-338 Rayburn. The briefing, titled "Women and Epilepsy: Ensuring Adequate Healthcare" is sponsored by Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL) and the Epilepsy Foundation.

• Women with Epilepsy Unaware of Health Risks

  Washington, D.C., April 29, 2002-- More than one million women in the United States may be unaware of their risk for increased problems with fertility, osteoporosis, and sexual dysfunction. All of these women have epilepsy.

• Epilepsy Foundation Recognizes the Honorable Steny H. Hoyer For Longstanding Support

  Washington, D.C., March 26, 2002--The Epilepsy Foundation presented its 2002 Congressional Leadership Award to the Honorable Steny Hoyer (D-MD) at its Public Policy Institute/Kids Speak Up event on Tuesday, March 19 at the Rayburn Building. The award recognized Hoyer's tireless work to pass laws that help children and adults with epilepsy.

• Epilepsy Foundation Recognizes the Honorable Sonny Callahan For Longstanding Support

  Washington, D.C., March 26, 2002-- The Epilepsy Foundation presented the 2002 Congressional Leadership Award to the Honorable Sonny Callahan (R-AL) at its Public Policy Institute/Kids Speak Up event on Tuesday, March 19 at the Rayburn building. The award recognized Callahan's tireless work to pass laws that help children and adults with epilepsy.

• Epilepsy Foundation Recognizes the Honorable Tom Harkin For Longstanding Support

  Washington, D.C., March 26, 2002-- The Epilepsy Foundation presented its 2002 Congressional Leadership Award to the Honorable Tom Harkin (D-IA) at its Public Policy Institute/Kids Speak Up event on Tuesday, March 19 at the Rayburn Building. The award recognized Harkin's tireless work to pass laws that help children and adults with epilepsy.

• Children with Epilepsy March on Capitol Hill to Demand Respect and Attention

  Washington, D.C., March 15, 2002-- Imagine living with a health condition that causes momentary lapses of consciousness, learning disabilities and seizures - in some cases, hundreds a day. Now imagine being seven years old and living with such a disorder. This is what life is like for far too many of the hundreds of thousands of American children who suffer from epilepsy.

• Son of U.S. Airforce Pilot Named National 'Winning Kid'

  Washington, D.C., October 29, 2001-- While nine-year old Bryan Raymond's father, a U.S. Air Force Pilot based in Jacksonville, Arkansas, fights for our freedom, Bryan will be fighting for the respect all children with epilepsy deserve as the new 2001-2002 Epilepsy Foundation 'Winning Kid.'

• Foundation Warns Anthrax Medication Could Induce Seizures.

  Washington, D.C., October 19, 2001-- The Epilepsy Foundation warned today that fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as Cipro (ciprofloxacin), which are the first line of defense for anthrax, can in certain circumstances, induce seizures.

• Arkansas Woman A National Role Model For Women with Epilepsy

  Washington, D.C., October 12, 2001-- The Epilepsy Foundation has selected Sharon McMinn, an entrepreneur with epilepsy, community leader, wife and mother, as the winner of the first "Making a Difference" Award.

• Actor Danny Glover To Keynote Epilepsy Foundation National Conference

  Washington, D.C., October 11, 2001-- The Epilepsy Foundation announced that Danny Glover will be the keynote speaker for the organization's 33rd national family conference to be held October 25-27, 2001 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

• Foundation Welcomes FDA Approval of Drug for Severe Epilepsy Syndrome

  Washington, D.C., September 4, 2001-- The Foundation welcomes today's U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of topiramate (Topamax) as add-on therapy for seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, an advance in treatment that could significantly improve the lives of children and adults with this severe, debilitating condition.

• New Epilepsy Foundation Brochure Describes Revolutionary Therapeutic Option

  Washington, D.C., August 20, 2001-- A revolutionary device that is the first new treatment for epilepsy in 100 years is featured in a brochure for patients and health care providers just released by the Epilepsy Foundation. The device, called the Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS), is an alternative to traditional therapy for people with hard-to-manage epilepsy.

• Epilepsy Foundation Supports Federal Legislation to Prohibit Misuse of Genetic Information

  Washington, D.C., July 11, 2001-- In an ongoing effort to fight discrimination and the misuse of genetic information, the Epilepsy Foundation released the following statement in connection with the recent Congressional hearing on The Potential for Discrimination in Health Insurance Based on Predictive Genetic Tests.

• Epilepsy Foundation Urges Senate Passage of McCain-Edwards-Kennedy Patient Protection Act

  Washington, D.C., June 26, 2001-- The Epilepsy Foundation has urged the U. S. Senate to pass the McCain-Edwards-Kennedy Bipartisan Patient Protection Act.

• Epilepsy Foundation Funds Work of UAB Neuropsychologists

  Washington, D.C., May 30, 2001-- The Epilepsy Foundation has awarded a research grant to University of Alabama at Birmingham neuropsychologists, Joseph D. Ackerson, PhD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, and Roy C. Martin, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, for research on medical compliance and quality of life for adolescents with epilepsy.

• Epilepsy Foundation Seeking Nominations for National Award

  Kansas City, Mo., May 21, 2001-- The Making a Difference Award honors the spirit of women whose commitment and dedication are an inspiration to women everywhere. The winner of the award will receive a $1,500 prize and an all expense-paid trip to the Epilepsy Foundation's 2001 National Conference.

• Epilepsy Foundation Elects New National Leader

  Washington, D.C., May 20, 2001-- The Epilepsy Foundation Board of Directors elected Linda K. Warner, a Minnesota volunteer and vigorous disabilities advocate as board chair during its regular spring meeting at the Park Hyatt Hotel over the weekend.

• Epilepsy Neuroscience Nursing Expert Elected New Head of National Epilepsy Advisory Board

  Philadelphia, PA, May 7, 2001-- At its annual meeting held here this weekend, the Epilepsy Foundation's Professional Advisory Board elected Patricia Osborne Shafer, RN, MN, of Wilmington, Mass., chair of the national advisory group.

• Epilepsy Foundation Tells Congress To Expedite Passage of Family Opportunity Act

  Washington, D.C., February 8, 2001-- The Epilepsy Foundation, a nationwide network of community-based, affiliated organizations that work to prov