Foundation Chair Tony Coelho Congratulates Journalism Award Winners

Dear Colleagues,

Tony Coelho, Chair
Epilepsy Foundation

Join me in a thunderous applause for today’s honorees…men and women dedicated to excellence in background research and writing that accurately and creatively informs, entertains, and touches their audience in ways that can inspire people to action. Journalists with a capital ‘J’. Today’s winners join a prestigious group of reporters and editors whose interest in epilepsy is contributing to the removal of stigma, discrimination and misunderstanding surrounding the disorder. They have set a terrific example, one that we are proud to honor and hope that others will follow.

The importance of the media accurately portraying persons with epilepsy can not be overstated. People today derive their understanding of the world around them – for better or worse – largely from what they see on television, hear on the radio, or read in newspapers, magazines and on the Internet. That’s why the Epilepsy Foundation has strengthened its communications and media relations capacity over the past year, and become more proactive in reaching out to the media. This effort has provided numerous journalists with story profiles, facts, statistics, and information on how to communicate about epilepsy without reinforcing existing misconceptions.

We are committed to working with the media to bring epilepsy out of the shadows and to tell the story of what the Epilepsy Foundation is doing to help ensure that not another moment is lost to seizures. Please let our honorees – the winning journalists and the people with epilepsy who shared their life experiences with them—know how grateful we are for their help in this effort.

Lastly, I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc. for making today’s awards ceremony possible, and for their continued generosity in support of our ongoing programs, initiatives and services.

Sincerely,

Tony