Senator McCain Calls for Epilepsy Awareness

Washington, DC, October 26, 2006 – Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is lending his support to the more than 3 million Americans living with epilepsy, a neurological condition that produces sudden bursts of electrical energy and disrupts certain brain functions.

McCain will star in a series of radio and television public service announcements to promote awareness and eliminate stigma about the widely misunderstood condition during National Epilepsy Awareness Month in November. The senator has a personal understanding of epilepsy because his father, the late Admiral John S. McCain Jr., was diagnosed with the condition.

Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder after Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. And, according to the Epilepsy Foundation's National Cost of Epilepsy Study published in 2000, epilepsy costs the nation more than $12.5 billion a year in medical costs and lost productivity, a sum equal to $16.26 billion in today's dollars.

Despite the fact that epilepsy is the oldest condition known to humanity, according to the Epilepsy Foundation, it is still surrounded by mystery, ignorance and fear.

“We are committed to bringing epilepsy out of the shadows so that the legacy of stigma and discrimination ends with this generation,” explained Eric Hargis, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. “We hope Senator’s McCain’s commitment to raising awareness will help make more people with epilepsy comfortable and willing to openly discuss their condition with family, friends, teachers, colleagues and employers.”

The PSAs can be viewed at www.epilepsyfoundation.org.