October 4, 2019 – On July 23, 2018, eight state-based non-profit organizations, serving approximately one million people living with epilepsy and seizure disorders, united to form Epilepsy Alliance America (EAA) – a national organization dedicated to providing local support, care, and services to those living with epilepsy.
“Epilepsy Alliance America’s founding member organizations are elevating daily service levels, and have developed a platform for sharing resources, best practices, and information that can be tailored to meet the individualized needs of each community,” said H. Davis Cole, EAA board chairman.
The founding members of EAA include some of the longest-standing, influential epilepsy organizations in the country, including: Epilepsy Florida, Epilepsy Alliance Louisiana, Epilepsy Alliance North Carolina, Epilepsy Services New Jersey, Epilepsy Alliance Ohio, Epilepsy Association of Western and Central Pennsylvania, New York-based Epilepsy Pralid, Inc., and Puerto Rico.
In the past 12-months, EAA has become the nation’s most recognized community-based epilepsy organization as a result of its focus on providing localized services for people with epilepsy, seizure disorders, and their families, caregivers, and communities. It is the mission of EAA to promote independence and quality-of-life for people with epilepsy.
“We are honored to be members of such a supportive and diverse network of experienced epilepsy providers who are all dedicated to putting people with epilepsy and their families first,” said Karen Basha Egozi, president and CEO of Epilepsy Florida and a founding board member of EAA.
As part of its one-year anniversary, EAA launched a new website: www.epilepsyallianceamerica.org.
Other notable accomplishments include:
•In Florida, a newly funded national HRSA initiative will be implemented to transform health care for children and youth with epilepsy and increase access to coordinated, quality health care through Epilepsy Florida
•In New Jersey, a young advocate is working with Epilepsy Services New Jersey to introduce legislation that will advocate for seizure first aid training and recognition in schools
•In New York, Epilepsy Pralid, Inc. has expanded its services upstate by increasing summer camp enrollment by 25% and introducing new networking and wellness groups that connect people with epilepsy and their families with each other
In preparation for National Epilepsy Awareness Month in November, EAA will launch its nationwide #1in26 education campaign to raise awareness that one in 26 people in the United States will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime.
For more information on how to get involved with local and national EAA efforts, or to participate in the #1in26 campaign, visit www.epilepsyallianceamerica.org or call 1-800-642-0500.
