"Would you like to make a donation for...

...Epilepsy research?" said the grocery checker. Unfortunately, I have never heard these words while checking out at the grocery store. But, I am hopeful that one day, I will. One day, our voices will be heard. Why not? With a disease that affects so many lives, a disease that kills and one which is in need of improved treatment options, more funds for research is pertinent.

I don't ever want it to seem as if I feel that Epilepsy is the only worthy cause out there. It isn't. It just so happens to be the one that I am passionate about for reasons that do not need explaining.  And I do donate to one other cause, MDA. The little girl that you see on the Jerry's Kids poster during the month of March just happens to be the daughter of a close friend of mine.

Epilepsy is big, just a big as breast cancer and in fact, it 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 United States. Epilepsy affects 50,000,000 people worldwide.

Now, off to write my letter to Oprah.

Medications and Cross Your Fingers

Epilepsy. The Facts.

* Epilepsy affects over 3 million Americans of all ages – more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson’s disease combined. Almost 500 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed every day in the United States. Epilepsy affects 50,000,000 people worldwide.

* In two-thirds of patients diagnosed with epilepsy, the cause is unknown.

* Epilepsy can develop at any age and can be a result of genetics, stroke, head injury, and many other factors.

* In over thirty percent of patients, seizures cannot be controlled with treatment. Uncontrolled seizures may lead to brain damage and death. Many more have only partial control of their seizures.

* The severe epilepsy syndromes of childhood can cause developmental delay and brain damage, leading to a lifetime of dependency and continually accruing costs—both medical and societal.

* It is estimated that up to 50,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. from status epilepticus (prolonged seizures), Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), and other seizure-related causes such as drowning and other accidents.

* The mortality rate among people with epilepsy is two to three times higher than the general population and the risk of sudden death is twenty-four times greater.

* Recurring seizures are also a burden for those living with brain tumors and other disorders such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, tuberous sclerosis, and a variety of genetic syndromes.

* There is a strong association between epilepsy and depression: more than one of every three persons with epilepsy will also be affected by depression, and people with a history of depression have a higher risk of developing epilepsy.

* Historically, epilepsy research has been under-funded. Federal dollars spent on research pale in comparison to those spent on other diseases, many of which affect fewer people than epilepsy.

* For many soldiers suffering traumatic brain injury on the battlefield, epilepsy will be a long-term consequence.

Source: http://cureepilepsy.org