November 17, 2009

THIS ISSUE

Speaking of Epilepsy Lecture Series
Women and Epilepsy

Support the BC Epilepsy Society
Donate Your Optimum Card Points

Dreams Take Flight
Children with Epilepsy go to Disneyland

Speaking of Epilepsy Lecture Series

Women and Epilepsy
Due to your questions and requests, the BC Epilepsy Society is hosting a lecture on Women and Epilepsy. This year, there has been new research published about epilepsy and women’s health by the American Academy of Neurology and American Epilepsy Society. Guidelines on the care of women during pregnancy and preconception were addressed including new recommendations on breastfeeding, medication use during pregnancy, and vitamin supplementation.

Common concerns of women with epilepsy including seizures and hormones, seizure frequency and the menstrual cycle, bone thinning (osteopenia), and medications will also be discussed.

Dr. Tiffany Townsend, a neurologist at the Epilepsy Clinic at the Vancouver General Hospital will be presenting this lecture and answering your questions.

This lecture will be on Monday, November 23rd from 7-9 pm at the Chan Auditorium in the Education and Research Building at BC Children's Hospital on 4480 Oak Street. Public transportation information, is available here.

Lectures are $10 or free with a current BC Epilepsy Society membership. Please contact us at 604-875-6704 to reserve your seat or for more information.

Support the BC Epilepsy Society

Donate Your Optimum Card Points
You can help support the BC Epilepsy Society by donating Shoppers Drug Mart Optimum Card points. These donations enable us to purchase equipment and supplies to enhance and deliver our programs and services.

You automatically collect 10 Optimum Points for almost every $1 you spend at Shoppers Drug Mart on items. These points can be earned from almost everything in the store, including prescriptions, cosmetics, home appliances, electronics, and more. The Shoppers Optimum card is free and no initial purchase is required. It is not a credit card.

To donate your Shoppers Optimum points to the BC Epilepsy Society:
1. Go to: www.shoppersdrugmart.ca/donate
2. Click the “DONATE NOW!” link
3. Click on the “donate your points application”
4. Select BC Epilepsy Society from the recipient list
5. Enter the amount of points you’d like to donate

We appreciate your contribution. Thank you for your support.

Dreams Take Flight

Children with Epilepsy go to Disneyland
A few weeks ago, five children with epilepsy attended an all-expenses paid trip to Disneyland. This extra special event included lots of surprises for all the kids involved, including meeting Disney characters, gift certificates for the Disney store, free Barbie and Hot Wheels merchandise, and of course, the amazing rides and attractions.

An article about the kids from BC Epilepsy Society was even published in a local newspaper! Read the article and watch the video footage.

Dreams Take Flight is a national non-profit organization run by Air Canada volunteers. Their mission is to provide the trip-of-a-lifetime for children with financial needs, chronic health conditions, and disabilities. If you know of a child who would be interested in attending the trip next year, please contact our office at info@bcepilepsy.com or at 604-875-6704 for information about the guidelines and registration.