BC Epilepsy News and Events

Gene Variation for a Type of Infantile Epilepsy Discovered

Mon, 30 Jan 12 08:00:00 UT

Researchers have discovered a gene variation that is present in infants with benign familial infantile epilepsy (BFIE). This discovery will provide valuable opportunities for learning more about brain function and what causes seizures. A Medical News Today article about this discovery is below.

A Step Closer To Unlocking A Mystery That Causes Epileptic Seizures In Babies

Benign familial infantile epilepsy (BFIE) has been recognized for some time as infantile seizures, without fever, that run in families but the cause has so far eluded researchers. However clinical researchers at the University of Melbourne and Florey Neurosciences Institute and molecular geneticists at the University of South Australia have discovered a gene.

BFIE is a disorder that occurs in previously healthy infants who are developing normally. Seizures commence when a baby is about six months old and stop by the age of two years. BFIE is a rare form of epilepsy with the Australian researchers having studied about 40 families from around the world. Some of the children with this gene abnormality develop an unusual movement disorder later in childhood or adolescence called Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Choreoathetosis (PKC).

This movement disorder causes sudden, brief stiffening or twisting of their muscles as the person starts to move, for instance, people with this condition often have difficulty crossing the road when the traffic lights change to green. While this condition can be easily controlled by medication, it impacts on quality of life and may prevent people from participating in some activities.

Families with this condition have now been found to carry a variation in a gene called PRRT2, which may cause the protein the gene encodes to form incorrectly. The function of this gene is not yet known nor is it understood how the changes in this gene cause an infant to have seizures. This gene discovery provides valuable opportunities for learning more about brain function and what causes seizures.

Professor Ingrid Scheffer, Chair of Pediatric Neurology Research said the finding would help families understand why their baby has seizures and will provide reassurance that the baby will grow out of the seizures and not have long term problems. It will also help with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of the movement disorder.

New Potential Treatment for Absence Seizures

Mon, 20 Feb 12 08:00:00 UT

Exciting findings from a research study funded partially from the BC Epilepsy Society has shown evidence of the effectiveness of a new medication that could help stop absence seizures. The results are published in the latest edition of Science Translational Medicine.

Click here to read the study results.

Below is an article that summarizes the research findings from the Vancouver Sun.

New Drug Surpresses Epileptic Seizures

It can look like a child is simply in a daze, awake but day-dreaming. Yet inside their brain, a flurry of high-frequency signals is firing from neurons resulting in a so-called absence seizure.

A Canadian-led research team has developed a new drug that completely suppresses these absence seizures in rats, and could have groundbreaking effects on the treatment of epilepsy in children.

The findings were published Wednesday in the peer-reviewed science journal Science Translational Medicine.

The team began testing the drug on humans in December and expects to finish the first phase of clinical trials later this year, said neuro-scientist Terry Snutch, the senior author of the study.

Snutch, a professor and Canada Research Chair in the Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of B.C., said his team is cautiously optimistic the drug will have the same effect on humans.

"It's far enough along that we would know in relatively short order," he said. "We are quite confident that it will interact with the human channel in the same way that it does in the rats to alleviate the epilepsy."

Although the drugs have only been completely tested on rats so far, earlier tests on cloned human cells had the same effect, said Snutch.

Absence seizures are a symptom of epilepsy that most commonly affects children.

During an absence seizure, the person will appear conscious but in a daze. The seizures can disrupt a child's ability to learn in school, and also can be dangerous, especially if they occur while a person is swimming or driving.

"The kids and teenagers that have these absence seizures can have hundreds of them in a day," said Snutch.

"They just come and go very, very rapidly."

The new drugs, called Z941 and Z944, work by blocking the flow of calcium ions into what are called T-type calcium channels in the brain.

Scientists believe absence seizures are caused by a mutation in the T-type calcium channels that causes them to fire at a high frequency, allowing too much calcium to enter, said Snutch.

"This T-type calcium channel [mutation] causes the frequency and the patterning of that firing to go haywire up to hundreds of times a day," he explained.

The mutation was first discovered in 2009 by Terry O'Brien, one of the co-authors of Wednesday's study and a professor of medicine at the University of Melbourne in Australia.

The new drugs, which can be taken in pill form and are easily absorbed in rats, completely block the flow of the calcium ions into the calcium channels. In rats with absence epilepsy, the drugs suppressed their seizures by 85 to 90 per cent.

However, as calcium channels are responsible for a number of important bodily functions, such as heartbeat, the researchers said they needed to ensure the drug only targeted those that fire at a high frequency and are causing the seizures.

"The drugs that we've developed act in a very specific way so they block the T-type channels but not all of them," said Snutch.

As a result, it is expected the drugs should have minimal negative side effects for the patients, he said.

The study was a collaborative effort between researchers at the University of British Columbia, Zalicus Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in Vancouver and the University of Melbourne in Australia.

Impact of Epilepsy Surgery: A 26 Year Follow-Up Study

Tue, 07 Feb 12 08:00:00 UT

Surgery can significantly improve seizure control and quality of life among people with epilepsy, according to a study stretching over 26 years.

This study has just been published in the Epilepsia medical journal and is thought to be the longest follow-up of this population to date. The findings are optimistic in regards to the benefits of brain surgery for epilepsy.

The research team, led by Dr. Matthew Smyth with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, argued that the findings could have an impact on the way the disease is treated.

“Our findings demonstrate that the benefits of epilepsy surgery are sustained over long time periods,” Smyth concluded. “Increased use of surgical intervention offers patients with epilepsy the possibility of long-term seizure control and improved quality of life."

You an read the research abstract below.

Impact of epilepsy surgery on seizure control and quality of life: A 26-year follow-up study

Summary
Purpose: The short-term efficacy and safety of epilepsy surgery relative to medical therapy has been established, but it remains underutilized. There is a lack of data regarding the long-term seizure-control rates and quality of life outcomes after epilepsy surgery. This study represents the longest follow-up study to date, with a mean follow-up duration of 26 years.

Methods: We studied the seizure and health-related quality of life outcomes of patients who underwent epilepsy surgery by Dr. Sidney Goldring from 1967 to 1990. Retrospective clinical chart reviews gathered perioperative data and surveys obtained follow-up data. Seizure outcome was evaluated using the Engel classification system.

Key Findings: Of 361 patients, 117 (32.4%) completed follow-up interviews. Fifty-six patients (48%) were Engel class I. Mean overall Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-31) questionnaire score for the cohort was 68.2 ± 16. Eighty percent of patients reported their overall quality of life now as being better than before surgery. Seizure freedom was associated with better quality of life. We did not observe a statistically significant association between postoperative complications and long-term outcome. Patients who underwent temporal lobe resection achieved better seizure outcomes than those who underwent other types of procedures. Astatic seizures and bilateral surgery were associated with a worse Engel class outcome.

Significance: Our study demonstrates that the beneficial effects of epilepsy surgery are sustained over decades, and that these beneficial effects are correlated with an improved quality of life. The confirmation of its durability makes us optimistic that the outcomes from modern epilepsy surgery will be even better and that our present enthusiasm for this treatment modality is not misplaced.

New Medication Approved in BC for PharmaCare Coverage

Wed, 01 Feb 12 08:00:00 UT

A new medication to treat epileptic seizures has been approved for coverage under the PharmaCare plan from the BC Ministry of Health.

The PharmaCare program helps British Columbia residents with the costs of eligible prescription medications and designated medical supplies.

This new medication is called Lacosamide (Vimpat®) and is produced by UCB Canada Inc. Click here to read information about Lacosamide from epilepsy.com Click here to read the prescribing summary.

In order for the medication to be covered by PharmaCare, you must be:
- over the age of 18 with uncontrolled partial-onset epileptic seizures
- using it in conjunction with at least one other anti-epileptic medication, and
- other anti-epileptic medications have not been effective or tolerable for you

Currently researchers are studying whether this medication is effective for individuals under the age of 18, as a first-line treatment, for different seizure types, etc. If there is strong scientific evidence for these usages, the PharmaCare criteria for coverage could expand.

We’d like to thank the people and caregivers of people with epilepsy in BC who responded to our requests to give your feedback to the BC PharmaCare Drug Review Process Council. Your stories explaining the challenges of having uncontrolled seizures and why new treatments should be available helped make this medication more accessible for people with epilepsy in BC.

The Impacts of Epilepsy on Canadians Survey Results

Mon, 27 Feb 12 08:00:00 UT

Results from a survey of Canadian adults with epilepsy show that they face serious challenges accessing specialized medical care and treatments, as well as numerous social impacts. Stigma, lack of independence, and social and work barriers are identified by respondents among the top challenges that need to be addressed.

These findings are troublesome, particularly because epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. Approximately 300,000 people in Canada and approximately 40,000 people in BC (about 1 in 100) have epilepsy.

Key findings of the Impact of Epilepsy on Canadians survey are below:

Impact on daily life:
- Just over half of respondents say their independence is restricted – 56% mentioned it as their #1 challenge
- Stigma, discrimination and the lack of awareness about epilepsy among Canadians was mentioned as the #2 challenge faced by 38% of respondents, along with the impact of the disorder on their social life
- Half of respondents say their job choices are limited, and just under 40% say they can’t get a job if they disclose that they have epilepsy

Specialized care and government support:
- On average, respondents report waiting nearly four years to be diagnosed with epilepsy, and almost one year to be seen for the first time by an epilepsy specialist
- 40% see only their GP or family doctor regularly for treatment for epilepsy, and only 30% have had a consultation with an epileptologist (a neurologist who specializes in epilepsy)
- Two in ten Canadians with epilepsy say social services are not available in their community, and 41% say government disability programs are not available to them

Seizure control and health impacts:
- Negative health impacts of epilepsy include medication side effects (63%) and memory impairment (60%), followed by injuries (44%) and learning difficulties/cognitive decline (40%)
- Most (82%) say they depend on medications to manage seizures and have been prescribed an average of four since diagnosis, so more options are needed

The Impact of Epilepsy on Canadians survey was conducted on-line and on paper between August 9 and October 14, 2011 by Leger Marketing to explore how Canadian adults living with epilepsy are impacted in respect to quality of life, health and access to care and treatment. 671 respondents participated in the survey in both official languages. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-3.8%, 19 times out of 20.

The BC Epilepsy Society and the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance urges all Canadians to take a stand in support of those living with epilepsy by:
- Eliminating the stigma facing those living with epilepsy by supporting greater public education and awareness about the disorder
- Ensuring access to all safe and effective options for optimal seizure control – right across Canada
- Expecting and demanding the best possible specialized care, treatment and social supports for Canadians living with epilepsy

Click here to read an Epilepsy Fact Sheet from the BC Epilepsy Society
Click here for the official press release about these survey results

New Seizure-Preventing Device Licensed by Health Canada

Thu, 15 Mar 12 07:00:00 UT

Health Canada has given a license to a company (Medtronic, Inc.) that provides an innovative device to help prevent seizures in people with refractory epilepsy who have partial or partial onset seizures. People with refractory epilepsy have seizures that are not adequately controlled by medications or other treatments. Partial seizures originate from one isolated part of the brain. These are the most common types of seizures in adults and seniors who have epilepsy.

This device is called Activa PC and it is part of what the company calls Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) therapy. This therapy involves implanting tiny electrodes in the brain that release controlled electrical pulses to the location inside the brain which is involved in the seizures.

To date, more than 85,000 patients worldwide have received Medtronic DBS therapy. It is approved in other regions including the European Union and the United States, for the treatment of the disabling symptoms of essential tremor, advanced Parkinson's disease and dystonia, and severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The Canadian approval was based on the results of a randomized, controlled, double-blind study that observed 110 patients who were implanted with the Medtronic DBS system in 17 medical centers in the U.S.

The study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of electrical deep brain stimulation in 110 adults who had epileptic seizures occurring at least six times per month and did not respond to anti-epileptic drug treatment.

In the first phase of the study, researchers implanted electrodes in all of the participants, but only half received electronic stimulation for three months. The results showed that those who received deep brain stimulation had a 40% reduction in epileptic seizures compared with a 15% reduction in the group that did not receive electronic stimulation. In addition, the seizures considered most severe by the participants were all reduced among those receiving stimulation.

After the initial three-month phase, all of the participants received electronic deep brain stimulation and were followed for about two years. After about two years, 54% of participants had a reduction in the frequency of their seizures of at least 50%. Fourteen participants (13%) were seizure-free for at least six months of the trial.

There were five deaths during the study, but none was believed to be device related. The most commonly reported side effects were depression and memory problems, which were usually extensions of previously existing problems according to researchers.

"Electrical deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising therapy for epilepsy," states researcher Robert Fisher, MD, PhD, director of the epilepsy center at Stanford University, in a news release. "While our study did not produce serious complications, DBS therapy is invasive and serious complications can occur."

Fisher says additional study is needed to determine who are the best candidates for deep brain stimulation and establish the optimal rates of stimulation.

Click here to read the press release from Medtronic.

Below is a picture of the Activa PC device which remotely controls the level of electrical impulses to the brain.

Below is a picture of an example of the placement of electrodes in a patients brain.

Critical Shortage of Epilepsy Medications in Canada

Thu, 22 Mar 12 07:00:00 UT

Ethosuximide, Midazolam, Topiramate, Epival, Dilantin, Etomidate, and Stiripentol. What do these medications have in common? They all have been proven to be effective in stopping seizures or reducing the frequency and severity of seizures in people with epilepsy. What else do they have in common? In Canada they are all suddenly in short supply, have been unexpectedly discontinued, or have been exceptionally difficult for people to access due to lack of funding and bureaucratic red tape.

The BC Epilepsy Society and other epilepsy organizations in Canada have been hearing about people with epilepsy and their caregivers going to the pharmacy to renew their medication, and being told that it is no longer available - even their doctors were not informed of these changes by Health Canada and the pharmaceutical companies.

For some health conditions a shortage or discontinuation of medication is not a big deal, they may be able to transition to another medication safely. However, for people with epilepsy, it's a different story. First off, if a person with epilepsy suddenly has to stop, reduce a dosage, or switch to another medication this can actually trigger a prolonged and severe seizure. This could then result in death or permanent brain injury.

As per a statement from the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance, "Epilepsy medications have a narrow therapeutic range, require careful titration, and are not interchangeable. If a medication change is required, either a change in dosage or switching to a new medication, this is typically done gradually over weeks or months."

This is a national crisis. People with epilepsy are being put at severe risk. There are already a multitude of difficulties that people with epilepsy in Canada face in their day-to-day lives. Financial instability, discrimination in employment, lack of independence, lack of access to special education services and recreational opportunities, and of course the risk of having a seizure anytime and anywhere.

If you or someone close to you has epilepsy and may be or has been negatively affected by a medication shortage, please contact Elvira Balakshin, Program and Communications Coordinator of the BC Epilepsy Society at 604-875-6704 or at outreach@bcepilepsy.com

We also encourage you to write a letter to your MP, click here for a sample letter in Word format.

For general information about medication shortages in Canada, click here for the Canadian Drug Shortage website.

Below are recent articles and study results about the difficulties about accessing treatment and services for people with epilepsy in Canada:

Why Canada is at Risk for Chronic Drug Shortages

Drug shortage forces hospice to turn away dying patient

Health Canada Too Slow with Drug Alerts: Auditor General

Epilepsy Across the Spectrum: Promoting Health and Understanding

Mon, 02 Apr 12 07:00:00 UT

Epilepsy Across the Spectrum: Promoting Health and Understanding, a new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), proposes public health initiatives that aim to improve the lives of people with epilepsy and their families and promote public understanding of the disorder.

This landmark report acknowledges the long-overdue examination of the public health burden of epilepsy. It contains IOM’s review committee findings and recommendations in area of surveillance, prevention, health care and human services, and education of health care providers, people who have epilepsy, their families and the public.

Some of their recommendations include:
- Improved access to treatment and timely referrals to specialized patient-centered care that meets the complex range of physiological, psychological, cognitive and social needs of people living with epilepsy
- Consistent delivery of and access to accurate, up-to-date and clearly communicated health information
- Improved access to a range of community services, including vocational, educational, transportation, transitional care, and independent living assistance as well as support groups
- A focus on raising public awareness to stop misconceptions about epilepsy and improve public knowledge
- Prevention efforts should continue for some established risk factors in the development of epilepsy, such as traumatic brain injury, infection, and stroke as well as for recurring seizures in people with epilepsy and depression, and for epilepsy-related causes of death
- Accurate, current data on the extent and consequences of epilepsy and its associated health conditions are needed

Epilepsy Foundation Board Chair, Brien Smith, M.D., praised the IOM for delivering a "fantastic and objective report," and called it a "huge step forward for the epilepsy community." “We are encouraged to find that epilepsy—so often misunderstood and misrepresented in the public discourse—is finally being examined, analyzed and reported on in a way that will intensify our collective work on behalf of epilepsy patients and families. These findings also make a strong case for the government to expand its considerable ability to recognize, address and respond to the public health burden of epilepsy.”

Though this study focused on people with epilepsy in the US, the issues facing people with epilepsy in Canada and the US are almost identical.

The press release announcing of the study results is below:

Public release date: 30-Mar-2012

Contact: Lauren Rugani
news@nas.edu
202-334-2138
National Academy of Sciences

IOM report identifies public health actions for improving the lives of those with epilepsy

WASHINGTON — An estimated 2.2 million people in the United States live with epilepsy, a complex brain disorder characterized by sudden and often unpredictable seizures. The highest rate of onset occurs in children and older adults, and it affects people of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds, yet this common disorder is widely misunderstood. Epilepsy refers to a spectrum of disorders with seizures that vary in type, cause, severity, and frequency. Many people do not know the causes of epilepsy or what measures to take if they witness a seizure. A new report from the Institute of Medicine highlights numerous gaps in the knowledge and management of epilepsy and recommends actions for improving the lives of those with epilepsy and their families and promoting better understanding of the disorder.

Effective treatments for epilepsy are available but access to treatment and timely referrals to specialized care are often lacking, the report's expert committee found. Reaching rural and underserved populations, as well as providing state-of-the art care for people with persistent seizures, is particularly crucial. The report's recommendations for expanding access to patient-centered health care include early identification and treatment of epilepsy and associated health conditions, implementing measures that assess quality of care, and establishing accreditation criteria and processes for specialized epilepsy centers. In addition, the wide variety of health professionals who care for those with epilepsy need improved knowledge and skills to provide the highest quality health care.

Some causes of epilepsy, such as traumatic brain injury, infection, and stroke, are preventable. Prevention efforts should continue for these established risk factors, as well as for recurring seizures in people with epilepsy and depression, and for epilepsy-related causes of death, the report says.

People with epilepsy need additional education and skills to optimally manage their disorder. Consistent delivery of accurate, clearly communicated health information from sources that include health care professionals and epilepsy organizations can better prepare those with epilepsy and their families to cope with the disorder and its consequences, the report says. Accurate, current data on the extent and consequences of epilepsy and its associated health conditions are especially needed to inform policymakers and identify opportunities for reducing the burden of epilepsy.

Living with epilepsy can affect employment, driving ability, and many other aspects of quality of life. The report stresses the importance of improved access to a range of community services, including vocational, educational, transportation, transitional care, and independent living assistance as well as support groups. The committee urged collaboration among federal agencies, state health departments, and relevant epilepsy organizations to improve and integrate these services and programs, particularly at state and local levels.

Misperceptions about epilepsy persist and a focus on raising public awareness and knowledge is needed, the report adds. Educating community members such as teachers, employers, and others on how to manage seizures could help improve public understanding of epilepsy. The report suggests several strategies for stakeholders to improve public knowledge of the disorder, including forming partnerships with the media, establishing advisory councils, and engaging people with epilepsy and their families to serve as advocates and educators within their communities.

###

The study was sponsored by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute on Aging, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office on Women's Health, and Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation; and by members of the Vision 20-20 collaborative -- American Epilepsy Society, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, Dravet.org, Epilepsy Foundation, Epilepsy Therapy Project, Finding a Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures, Hemispherectomy Foundation, International League Against Epilepsy, National Association of Epilepsy Centers, Preventing Teen Tragedy, Rasmussen's Encephalitis Children's Project, and Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance.

Established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine provides objective, evidence-based advice to policymakers, health professionals, the private sector, and the public. The Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Research Council together make up the independent, nonprofit National Academies. For more information, visit http://national-academies.org or http://iom.edu. A committee roster follows.

Contacts:

Lauren Rugani, Media Relations Officer
Luwam Yeibio, Media Relations Assistant
Office of News and Public Information
202-334-2138; e-mail news@nas.edu

Pre-publication copies of Epilepsy Across the Spectrum: Promoting Health and Understanding are available from the National Academies Press; tel. 202-334-3313 or 1-800-624-6242 or on the Internet at http://www.nap.edu. Reporters may obtain a copy from the Office of News and Public Information (contacts listed above).

INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE

Board on Health Sciences Policy

Committee on the Public Health Dimensions of the Epilepsies

Mary Jane England, M.D. (chair)
Visiting Professor of Health Policy and Management
Boston University
Boston

Joan K. Austin, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN
Distinguished Professor Emerita
School of Nursing
Indiana University
Indianapolis

Vicki Beck, M.S.
Communications Consultant
Beck Communications
Carlsbad, Calif.

Charles E. Begley, Ph.D.
Professor of Management and Policy Sciences, and
Co-Director
Center for Health Services Research
School of Public Health
University of Texas Health Science Center
Houston

Malachy L. Bishop, Ph.D., CRC
Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling
University of Kentucky
Lexington

Lionel Carmant, M.D.
Professor of Neurology
Department of Pediatrics
University of Montreal
Montreal

Carolyn Cocotas, R.T., M.P.A., CHC, CHPC
Senior Vice President of Quality and Corporate Compliance
F∙E∙G∙S Health and Human Services System
New York City

Sandra Cushner-Weinstein, P.T., LICSW, LCSW-C
Director of Children's Services and Camps
Center of Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine
Children's National Medical Center
Washington, D.C.

Ramon Diaz-Arrastia, M.D., Ph.D.
Director of Clinical Research
Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, and
Professor of Neurology
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Bethesda, Md.

David Grant, Ph.D.
Director
California Health Interview Survey
Center for Policy Research
University of California
Los Angeles

Christianne N. Heck, M.D., M.M.M.
Director
Adult Comprehensive Epilepsy Program
University of Southern California
Los Angeles

Dale C. Hesdorffer, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Associate Professor of Clinical Epidemiology
Mailman School of Public Health
Columbia University
New York City

Gregory L. Holmes, M.D.
Chair
Department of Neurology, and
Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics
Neuroscience Center
Dartmouth Medical School
Hanover, N.H.

Paul E. Jarris, M.D., M.B.A.
Executive Director
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
Arlington, Va.

Dilip V. Jeste, M.D.
Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences
University of California
San Diego

Patricia O. Shafer, R.N., M.N.
Epilepsy Clinical Nurse Specialist
Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston

Joseph I. Sirven, M.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Neurology
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Scottsdale, Ariz.

STAFF

Cathy T. Liverman, M.L.S.
Study Co-Director

Andrea M. Schultz, M.P.H.
Study Co-Director

5K Poker Walk Fund Raiser

Sun, 27 May 12 07:00:00 UT

It’s that time of the year again – it’s time for Cindy’s 5K Poker Walk!

Cindy’s 5K Poker Walk is an annual fund raiser for the BC Epilepsy Society. During this walk, participants will collect a playing card at each of the one kilometre points. At the end of the walk, the best poker hands will win prizes from various sponsors.

This event is on Sunday, May 27^th. The walk will start at 8:30 am at the Kerrisdale Arena at 41st and East Blvd. in Vancouver and go through a beautiful historical area of Shaughnessy.

This is a great event for all ages and abilities to socialize, raise awareness, and experience the buoyant spirit of the crowd. Breakfast is available to all participants at the end of the walk.

Click here to register!

Participants are encouraged collect pledges to support the programs, resources, and services of the BC Epilepsy Society. Click here for a pledge form.

If you are unable to attend, you can sponsor a walker and/or donate to the BC Epilepsy Society through the Running Room Giving site here: http://www.giving.runningroom.com/hm/

Registration is $22 before May 23^rd and $27 after May 23^rd.

This walk is part of the Shaughnessy 8K road race and the 2012 Vancouver Sun Run series.

For more information, please contact Shawn Laari at 604-875-6704 or at laari@bcepilepsy.com

Eight $1,000 Post-Secondary Scholarships Available

Wed, 16 May 12 07:00:00 UT

Applications are now available for scholarships from the BC Epilepsy Society. These provide $1000 grants to individuals who currently attend or plan to attend a post-secondary institution or employment training program.

Individuals who are BC residents, ages 16 and older who are Canadian citizens or who have landed immigrant status, under a physicians' care for epilepsy, and have a current BC Epilepsy Society membership, are eligible.

The scholarships are awarded on the basis of educational commitment, volunteer work, and other achievements or interests. The grants can be applied to tuition, books, and/or related educational expenses.

The deadline for applications is June 30th, 2012. Download the scholarship application here

In 2011 the BC Epilepsy Society awarded eight $1,000 scholarships to support people with epilepsy in meeting their educational goals.

For more information about the scholarships and post-secondary school support services, please contact our office at 604-875-6704 or at info@bcepilepsy.com