 |
 April 2008 |
|
Women and Epilepsy Conference
Local epilepsy experts Dr. David Vossler, Dr. Gail Anderson and Dr. Vaishali Phatak speak on topics such as psychosocial issues, anti-epileptic drugs and bone health in women and epilepsy. This conference is free of charge and is open to women with epilepsy, parents of girls epilepsy, school personnel, health care professionals and anyone who is interested in learning more about the topic. Click here for more information about the conference and to register. Questions? Please email mail@epilepsynw.org Benefit Concert Honors Brother
A vibrant and bright young woman, Brianna has dedicated her life to music, studying piano for thirteen years and harp for seven years. She practiced five to six hours a day for a month in preparation for the concert, and performed four harp pieces and three piano pieces including "Danses" by Debussy and "Sonata, op.10, No.3" by Beethoven. Brianna says that her brother Brandon is her "hero and source of inspiration." She decided to have a benefit concert in his honor because she has "learned so much about life by watching him persevere through the struggles associated with epilepsy and Aspergers Syndrome." Read more. Light the Flame Dinner and Auction The Light the Flame dinner and auction was held on Saturday, March 8 at the Bell Harbor Conference Center on the Seattle waterfront. The evening hosted over 200 people and presented over 180 items for auction. A scrumptious meal was enjoyed by the guests and the Arthur A. Ward Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Linda Ojemann who was joined by her family and colleagues. The event raised $87,000 for the organization to help support programs and services provided at no cost to people with epilepsy in the northwest. Camp Discovery - August 24- 27, 2008
Ask the Expert 
Question: "Can vaccines cause seizures?" Anwer by: Russel Saneto, DO, Ph. D.
There is one caveat to this. If a patient has a mutation in the SCN1A gene, then any fever can be very problematic. In one study out of Australia there were a significant percentage of children who developed seizures after immunization who had a mutation in this gene. Fortunately, most children do not have this mutation. In those children with the SCN1A gene mutation, I usually give them extra medication before their immunization. It would be far worse for anyone with epilepsy to develop any of these diseases with respect to any seizure event caused by the immunization itself. This is not so far fetched as this past year there was an outbreak of pertussis at our Hospital and within the region. To get a job at Children's Hospital, every one has to be vaccinated against pertussis. This would show that even with the best prevention, exposure and disease are possible. This is general information that should not be taken as specific medical advice. These issues are presented only to encourage further awareness and discussion. Please consult your qualified, licensed healthcare professional for advice and recommendations. |
|
|
Saturday, 4/26
On Saturday March 8th, Brianna Spargo presented a recital and benefit concert as her senior project in honor of her brother, Brandon Spargo. Brianna is a senior at Gig Harbor High School and Brandon is a young man living with epilepsy and Aspergers Syndrome. The recital was attended by nearly seventy people from the greater Gig Harbor area and raised over $1,600 for the Epilepsy Foundation Northwest.
The annual Camp Discovery will take place Aug. 24-27 at the YMCA Camp Coleman campground near Longbranch, WA (Gig Harbor area). The camp is held for children ages 7-17 with epilepsy and their siblings at no cost to children with epilepsy. “Camperships” are available to siblings to attend. Camp Discovery provides opportunities for kids to take part in traditional summer camp activities in a safe environment. Trained volunteers and nurses are on site, however children who need 1 to 1 assistance must bring a full-time attendant. The camp serves children from Washington and Oregon. Registration begins May 1, 2008.
|
|