Since its inception in 1998, CURE has raised over $10 million to fund epilepsy research and other initiatives that will lead the way to a cure.

CURE awards seed grants for novel research projects that address the goals of “no seizures, no side effects,” and specifically those that address the following needs: prevention of epilepsy, including post-traumatic epilepsy; advancement of the search for a cure; elimination of treatment side effects; and reversal of deficits caused by frequent seizures. In addition, CURE has established the first Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)-targeted research program, for which there is urgent need so that the risk of SUDEP may be minimized and eliminated. CURE specifically encourages studies that may not be currently fundable by other agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), because of their preliminary or unconventional nature.

CURE has also established the Prevention of Epilepsy After Traumatic Brain Injury Award. For many soldiers suffering TBI on the battlefield, epilepsy will be a long-term consequence.

At the end of 2009, CURE took on another unprecedented initiative to impact epilepsy research and awareness by publishing its first State of Epilepsy Report.

The analyses conducted to prepare this report confirm the challenges we face in advancing research in this critical area. Based on these findings (which you can read in our State of Epilepsy Research Report), CURE is embarking on an aggressive three-year plan to accelerate progress in research aimed at discovery of a cure. Key elements of the strategy including a re-balancing and intensification of research efforts that will enhance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of epilepsy, and an insistence upon active collaboration between researchers.

The infusion of more funding for these efforts is, of course, critical to this process. These efforts cannot be successful without a significant investment. You can help by donating today, or by writing your representatives in Congress to share your personal stories and your commitment to ensuring that epilepsy research funding is a priority.

The challenges are daunting, but CURE is confident that this is the time for the epilepsy community to make meaningful progress toward defeating this disease. The time is now, and we must make the most of it.