Epilepsy Foundation History and Milestones:

2008

• The Epilepsy Foundation joins a historic coalition of business and disabilities organizations to pass the 2008 Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act. The Act passes the House in July and is now under consideration by the full Senate in August.
• The Second Annual National Walk for Epilepsy outpaces the first with dramatic increases in media coverage, overall awareness activities, and Walk participants. The day includes new educational Epilepsy Empowerment Forums.

2007

• The First Annual National Walk for Epilepsy is held in Washington, DC. It becomes the largest event in history focused on epilepsy education and awareness.

2006

• CBS' "The Young and the Restless" is the first television show to feature a major character with epilepsy.

2005

• The new Epilepsy Research Foundation, created from a partnership of organizations including the Epilepsy Foundation, supports the development of new, innovative translational research in producing new therapies and a cure for epilepsy.
• Epilepsy Foundation helps ensure broad coverage of anticonvulsants in the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit.
• Epilepsy Foundation creates a special fund to help victims of Hurricane Katrina continue to receive epilepsy treatment.
• First Epilepsy Leadership Conference convenes, designed to strengthen quality programs and services for people with epilepsy and their families in communities throughout the United States.

2004

• New treatment guidelines aim to educate physicians about options to treat their patients and provide patients with epilepsy an improved quality of life.
• Young Reporter’s Club launched to promote epilepsy awareness through high school journalism programs.
• International pregnancy registries data begin to provide very promising and clear guidance to women and their physicians about the differential birth-defect risks associated with specific antiepileptic drugs.

2003:

• Foundation launches the Jeanne A. Carpenter Epilepsy Legal Defense Fund, named in memory offormer Foundation Board President and distinguished advocate of legal rights for people with epilepsy.
• Foundation is co-founder of the Epilepsy Research Foundation.
• Foundation co-hosts "Living Well with Epilepsy II" Conference, designed to make recommendations for epilepsy and seizures treatment guidelines in the American health care system.
• Entitled to Respect Campaign expands -- Targets African American 'tweens and teens with the assistance of Grammy Award winning recording artist Monica.

2002:

• Entitled to Respect Campaign -- Targets 'tweens and teens and is showcased with the celebrity endorsement of the music group Triple Image and television and movie actor Ashton Kutcher.
• The ACES Campaign, (Advancing the Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures) is introduced as a five-year campaign to fund research programs aimed at discovering a cure for epilepsy and seizures.
• "Heroes Among Us" is introduced as an extension of the website's eCommunities, where users can tell their stories, to help raise funds for the Epilepsy Foundation and awareness of the condition.
• The Foundation hosts an International Capacity Building Conference, bringing together epilepsy organization representatives from 30 nations for information sharing and support.

2001:

• Foundation survey finds lack of epilepsy awareness among teenagers.
• Celebrity group 'NSYNC records messages for Epilepsy Month, targeted to teens.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funds Entitled to Respect, a major Epilepsy Foundation youth education program.
• Foundation institutes first "Making a Difference Award" for women with epilepsy.
• Foundation joins with other organizations and individuals in establishing the Partnership for Pediatric Epilepsy Research.

2000:

• 10th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act.
• First ever conference on Epilepsy at National Institutes of Health.
• One millionth visitor to new website.
• Jobtech employment program is funded by United States Department of Labor.
• H.O.P.E. mentoring program begins.

1999:

• First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton calls for greater attention to epilepsy, announces Epilepsy Foundation's Report to the Nation.
• White House initiates series of monthly live chats by Epilepsy Foundation representatives on iVillage.com.
• Supreme Court narrows Americans with Disabilities Act protections.
• Family makes $1 million gift for genetics research.
• Foundation forms alliance with WebMD.com andDrKoop.com to expand public awareness.

1998:

• Foundation launches first chat room on its Internet site.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expands epilepsy program.
• Pokemon effect on Japanese children highlights photosensitivity issue.
• Women's campaign expands with local programs.
• Death of track star Florence Griffith Joyner illustrates risks associated with seizures.
• Website is redesigned and relaunched.

1997:

• Jeanne A. Carpenter, J.D., elected president of the Epilepsy Foundation in June. She is the first person with epilepsy to serve in this leadership capacity with the Foundation.
• New drugs and vagus nerve stimulation therapy approved.
• New interest in ketogenic diet therapy.
• Foundation adopts red flame as its symbol, shortens name to Epilepsy Foundation.
• Co-sponsors national conference on epilepsy with Centers for Disease Control.
• Commits more than $1 million for research support.
• Launch of Women and Epilepsy -- National Campaign for Women's Health.

1996:

• Website launched.
• Gene Discovery project launched on the Internet.

1995:

• Women and Epilepsy Initiative begins.
• Foundation camping program begins.

1994:

• Foundation funds major study on Cost of Epilepsy.
• Center for Disease Control establishes section on epilepsy.

1993:

• Approval of first two new drugs for the treatment of epilepsy in 15 years.
• Foundation project to improve treatment of status epilepticus (non-stop seizures) begins.

1992:

• Employment provisions of the ADA become law.

1991:

• Foundation, American Epilepsy Society and American Academy of Neurology host workshop, arrive at consensus on driver's licensing in epilepsy.

1990:

• Foundation promotes and celebrates passage of Americans with Disabilities Act.

1989:

• 21st Century Initiative adopted -- Foundation sets goal of doubling programs by the year 2000.

1988:

• Epilepsy featured on five major TV shows.
• Foundation protests mandatory substitution of generic anti-epilepsy drugs.

1987:

• Febrile seizures have low epilepsy risk, panel finds.

1986:

• Foundation launches transcultural project.
• Blood banks agree to review blood donation rules barring people with epilepsy.

1985:

• Delaware repeals sterilization law.

1984:

• Toll-free service begins in 10 cities.

1983:

• Foundation files brief in landmark discrimination suit.

1982:

• The Epilepsy Foundation's National Epilepsy Library is founded.
• Foundation sues Department of Transportation to force reinstatement of passive restraint rules.
• Department of Defense liberalizes standards on military service and seizure history.

1981:

• Foundation's Idaho affiliate wages successful court fight on behalf of woman who lost a child custody battle because of epilepsy.

1980:

• Missouri repeals ban against performing marriage of someone with epilepsy.

1979:

• Tony Coelho becomes the first person with epilepsy to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

1978:

• Foundation merges with National Epilepsy League, creates single national voice for epilepsy.
• New drug approved for epilepsy after Foundation protests delay.

1977:

• Foundation adopts National Commission report as its own blueprint for action.

1976:

• National Employment Project, funded by the Department of Labor, established in five cities.

1975:

• First comprehensive epilepsy centers open in the United States.
• Congress passes law establishing a Commission for the Control of Epilepsy and its Consequences.

1974:

• Gallup Poll shows improvement in public attitudes toward epilepsy.

1972:

• Foundation supports New Jersey law banning employment discrimination for epilepsy.

1971:

• Foundation sponsors new drug level monitoring machines to improve care.

1968:

• Epilepsy Foundation of America created through merger.
• North Carolina strikes driver licensing laws barring all people with epilepsy from driving.