Member Spotlight: Epilepsy Foundation

By Katherine Scott, Senior Manager, Member Services and Certifications

For more than 50 years, the Epilepsy Foundation has shone a light on epilepsy to promote awareness and understanding, and to advocate for laws that matter to people with epilepsy, while also funding $68.7 million for epilepsy research and supporting 3,091 epilepsy investigators and specialists in their early careers.  The Foundation connects people to treatment, support and resources; leads advocacy efforts; funds innovative research and the training of specialists; and educates the public about epilepsy and seizure first aid. The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives.

Epilepsy can affect anyone with a brain. Each year there are 150,000 new cases of epilepsy. Over a lifetime, one in 10 people will have a seizure, and one in 26 will be diagnosed with epilepsy. In the U.S., there are 3.4 million people living with epilepsy and seizures.

With a network of nearly 50 partners, the Epilepsy Foundation is leading the fight to END EPILEPSY®.  Over the past 18 years, in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Epilepsy Foundation has helped to improve access to care for people with epilepsy, expanded its digital reach and online resources in homes across the country, and trained more than 500,000 school and community personnel in how to recognize seizures and administer seizure first aid. The Foundation has also assisted more than 123,470 people through its 24/7 Helpline in the past five years, and continues to focus on innovation, new therapies, community services, advocacy, and education as key priorities.

The Epilepsy Foundation demonstrates the highest degree of accountability and transparency and complies with our Standards of Excellence Certification Program^®. The National Health Council is proud to have The Epilepsy Foundation in our membership.

The Epilepsy Foundation values its membership in NHC for the ability to connect with similar health organizations, leverage its collective voices for greater impact for patients and families, and learn best practices.

To learn more about the Epilepsy Foundation, go to their website.

If you would like more information on NHC membership, please contact me.