Dreams Take Flight

Disneyland Adventure for Kids with Epilepsy
We're excited to announce that five children with epilepsy have the opportunity to participate in an all-expenses paid trip to Disneyland. This initiative is courtesy of Dreams Take Flight, a national non-profit organization consisting of Air Canada volunteers. Each year they provide a trip to, “the happiest place on earth,” for children with medical conditions, disabilities, and/or financial needs. It is an amazing opportunity for fun, friendship, and fond memories. This is the third year that the BC Epilepsy Society has been selected for the trip.

The trip to Disneyland is on Tuesday, October 20th. The BC Epilepsy Society will be holding a draw to select the five children. The deadline to submit an application form for the draw is Thursday, September 3rd.

To attend, the guidelines from Dreams Take Flight stipulate that children must be:
- Between 6-10 years old on October 20^th, 2009.
- Have never visited a Disney theme park.
- Have Canadian citizenship.
- Have a valid Canadian passport.
- Be medically stable to travel.

Medical staff, and those experienced in working with children with special needs will be accompanying the group. There is an approximately one-on-one ratio of staff to children. This includes staff from the BC Epilepsy Society. Special needs accommodations, medical services, and travel insurance are also provided.

To enter the draw, please fax or mail the Dreams Take Flight Application Form to the BC Epilepsy Society and call our office to confirm receipt of the form. For more information, please read the Dreams Take Flight Information Letter or contact Elvira Balakshin at 604-875-6704 or outreach@bcepilepsy.com

Receive the Benefits

Have You Renewed Your Membership Yet?
The BC Epilepsy Society is in our new membership year. This past year we had double-digit membership growth for the fifth straight year and that can only happen again if our past members renew and join our first time members.

It is also our 50th anniversary year. We continue to have many benefits for individuals and families, including: access to our resource centre, our twice yearly newsletter, scholarships, free admission to our annual lecture series, camp subsidies, kids going to Disneyland and Canucks games, and invitations to events.

Membership is only $10 and you can download the membership form here, or call our office at 604-875-6704 to renew over the phone. Membership will be valid until March 2010. Be a part of our Society during this great year of celebration.

Show Your Support

Sponsorship Opportunities

The BC Epilepsy Society is offering opportunities for sponsorship. This includes a variety of programs and services, including research, media outreach, educational materials, scholarships, and our website and newsletter. Below is a list of opportunities that individuals and businesses can financially support. For more information, contact our Executive Director, Shawn Laari at 604-875-6704 or laari@bcepilepsy.com

Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship – one year of support for a researcher’s three-year grant.	$24,500
Newspaper Public Service Announcement – full page ad in both the Vancouver Sun and The Province.	$12,000
Masters or Doctoral Research Fellowship – one year of support for a researcher’s two-year grant.	$11,250
Web Content Management Fees – annual contracted cost for in-office management of our website.	$2,000
Post-Secondary Scholarships – support expenses of one university or college student living with epilepsy (eight scholarships awarded in 2009).	$1,000
Newsletter Production – print production cost of each issue of our newsletter.	$600
Resource Library – annual cost of purchasing new resources.	$400
DVD Duplication – for workshop presentation kits and library inventory.	$300
Annual General Meeting Hosting – cost for members’ meeting each spring.	$200
Camp Subsidies – our family support for one child.	$150