Greetings Epilepsy Community,
I am beyond thrilled and excited to share with you that CURE Epilepsy’s in-person Annual Benefit is officially returning this year! We will be back, live at Navy Pier in Chicago celebrating the progress we have made in advancing science to find a cure for epilepsy, sharing powerful stories from the community, and rocking out to music by our special guest. If you can wait just “One Week” more, we will reveal who our entertainment will be for the evening. They are sure to make a “Big Bang” at the benefit! This event is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a time when we can come together as a community with a shared vision and convert our passion into action by raising dollars to fund research. I can’t wait to share this special evening with so many of you.
Speaking of special days, Siblings Day – a day dedicated to recognizing the impact siblings can have on one another – is this Sunday. At CURE Epilepsy, we know that if a child has seizures, the impact is felt by the entire family, including their siblings. Watching a loved one experience epilepsy can be heartbreaking, and there are added elements of support, care, and advocacy that come with that heartbreak. We view Siblings Day as an opportunity to honor the brothers and sisters of those living with epilepsy and spotlight their stories. Visit the Siblings Day page on our website to learn about siblings of children with epilepsy, including CURE Epilepsy Board Members, Marilynn Gardner and Michael Axelrod.
Through research there is hope.
In this CURE Epilepsy Update, please find information on:
- CURE Epilepsy’s 2022 Annual Benefit
- Webinar: Mental Health & Epilepsy: Improving Quality of Life (May 5)
- CURE Epilepsy Discovery
- Join Team CURE Epilepsy at the NYC Marathon
- Join Team CURE Epilepsy at the Chicago Triathlon
- World Autism Awareness Day
- Siblings Day
- CURE Epilepsy Promotes Dr. Lauren Harte-Hargrove to Director, Research
- What’s New from the Seizing Life® Podcast
- CURE Epilepsy Store
- Key Dates on the Epilepsy Calendar
CURE Epilepsy’s 2022 Annual Benefit
Learn More
We are back live at Navy Pier! We are excited to welcome back our supporters and the epilepsy community to celebrate the progress we have made in advancing science to find a cure for epilepsy, share powerful stories from the community, convert our passion to action by raising critical dollars to fund innovative research, and inspire our researchers and clinicians to keep driving forward on behalf of the community. Your support has helped launch amazing progress in epilepsy research and will continue to drive science forward until our mission is accomplished. And if you can wait just “One Week” more, we will reveal our entertainment! Learn more and get tickets
Webinar: Mental Health & Epilepsy: Improving Quality of Life
Register
Join us for a free webinar on Thursday, May 5, where we will discuss the prevalence of anxiety and depression among people with epilepsy. Viewers will learn about the various ways that anxiety and depression impact people with epilepsy, and the tools that neurologists have at their disposal to help alleviate these comorbid conditions.
CURE Epilepsy Discovery
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With funding from his CURE Epilepsy Taking Flight Award, Dr. Stuart Cain sought to explore the basic biological mechanisms underlying Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) in a laboratory model system. He and his team investigated spreading depolarization, a phenomenon known to contribute to respiratory arrest, in the areas of the brain called the superior and inferior colliculus. Their research showed the specific role of the superior colliculus in spreading depolarization which may contribute to SUDEP. This research furthers our understanding of the potential brain circuits involved in SUDEP and provides a foundation for continued study to help develop preventative approaches for SUDEP.
Join Team CURE Epilepsy at the NYC Marathon
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Looking to run one of the major world marathon races for a good cause? General registration is now closed, but you can still join Team CURE Epilepsy at the TSC New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 6. Race to raise funds for epilepsy research and knock this race off your list. Limited spots remain. We’ll be there cheering you on!
Join Team CURE Epilepsy at the Chicago Triathlon
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Not a marathoner, but looking for a challenge? Help us raise funds, as we proudly partner with the 2022 Life Time Chicago Triathlon being held Saturday, August 27 – Sunday, August 28. No matter what distance you want to go (international or sprint), we have secured 15 charity spots for individuals who want to swim, bike, and run for research through the most iconic spots in our hometown.
World Autism Awareness Day
Learn More
World Autism Awareness Day is recognized internationally on April 2 every year. Epilepsy and autism are often interconnected, and it is estimated that over 30% of people with epilepsy also meet the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder. Visit our website to learn more about epilepsy and autism.
Siblings Day
Learn More
Siblings Day is April 10. When a child has epilepsy, it affects the entire family including the child’s siblings. Visit our Siblings Day page to see poignant Seizing Life episodes with siblings of individuals with epilepsy (including CURE Epilepsy Board Members Marilynn Gardner and Michael Axelrod) and a webinar on the impact seizures can have on a family.
CURE Epilepsy Promotes Dr. Lauren Harte-Hargrove to Director, Research
CURE Epilepsy is proud to announce that Dr. Lauren Harte-Hargrove has been promoted to Director, Research. In her time at CURE Epilepsy, Dr. Harte-Hargrove has contributed significantly to CURE Epilepsy’s overall research program, communications, and especially our efforts to drive research on post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). Her leadership of CURE Epilepsy’s ongoing PTE Initiative has been critical to its success. As a recognized expert in the field of PTE research and patient advocacy, Dr. Harte-Hargrove is also driving greater awareness of the challenges faced by people with traumatic brain injury and PTE. See the entire CURE Epilepsy Team
What’s New from the Seizing Life® Podcast
Watch or Listen
Catch up on the latest episodes of our Seizing Life podcast, where you will hear:
- College student Kiara Mowat shares stories from her epilepsy journey as a young adult from diagnosis in 2018 at age 14 to her first year in college. Tune in to this inspiring epilepsy story from an amazing young woman who is determined not to let seizures overwhelm her goals and ambitions. Listen or watch
- Channing Seideman shares her epilepsy story and discusses the social, emotional, and physical impacts of drug-resistant epilepsy as well as the side effects of the numerous antiseizure medications that have so far failed to provide seizure freedom. Listen or watch
CURE Epilepsy Store
Shop here
Looking to show your CURE Epilepsy pride? Visit our CURE Epilepsy Store for exciting merchandise that will help raise awareness about the need to find a cure for epilepsy and the importance of research and look cool doing it!
Please mark your calendar for some key dates in the epilepsy community:
- April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day
- April 10 – Siblings Day
- June 1 – CURE Epilepsy’s 2022 Annual Event
- June 23 – International Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day
- August 1-31 – Seizure Dog Awareness Month
- October 19 – SUDEP Action Day
- November 1 – International LGS Awareness Day
- November 1-30 – Epilepsy Awareness Month
- December 1-7 – Infantile Spasms Awareness Week