Advocates Shine Spotlight on Epilepsy in Nation’s Capital

For Immediate Release                                                        

Concert, National Walk, Advocacy Conference and Awards Gala Focus on Awareness and Support

Washington, D.C. (March 12, 2011) —This month the Epilepsy Foundation is gathering thousands of advocates from across the country in the nation’s capital to increase awareness about epilepsy, raise funds for epilepsy services and empower those impacted by the condition. The Concert for Epilepsy, National Walk for Epilepsy, the Public Policy Institute and Kids Speak Up! conference,and the Distinguished Achievement Awards Gala will be held March 27 through 29.

Award-winning country music artists Josh Turner and Little Big Town kick off the host of awareness events with the Concert for Epilepsy. The annual event takes place on Saturday, March 26 in the Maryland Ballroom of the Gaylord National Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. The concert is organized by Chad Barth of Arlington, Va., in honor of his sister, who lives with epilepsy. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.concertforepilepsy.org.

On Sunday March 27, men, women and children from all walks of life will convene on the National Mall for the fifth annual National Walk for Epilepsy. The non-competitive walk starts at 8:30 a.m. with live entertainment featuring local bands and special guest, Connor Doran, expert kite flier and finalist on NBC’s America's Got Talent.

The National Walk, which is slightly more than two miles, and winds among national monuments and historical museums, is open to everyone. Children can enjoy face painting, and be entertained by local mascots including McGruff the Crime Dog, the Baltimore Oriole Bird and epilepsy superhero Toteman. An educational exposition will feature the country’s top neurologists, who will share the latest in epilepsy research and treatment options.

The National Walk is perhaps the largest epilepsy awareness event in the world. Over the past four years, it has raised over $4 million and engaged over 25,000 people including Hollywood celebrities, sports stars and award-winning musicians. For more information or to register, please visit www.walkforepilepsy.org.

On the evening of March 27 at the Westin Hotel in Alexandria, Va., the Epilepsy Foundation’s Public Policy Institute and Kids Speak Up! conferences start with a welcome reception at 5:30 p.m. The three-day events bring together young ambassadors, their families and other advocates for training sessions and seminars about the latest in epilepsy information and the importance of advocacy. Participants will be entertained by Connor Doran, who will share his inspirational story and teach the ambassadors how indoor kite flying helps him cope with the challenges of living with epilepsy. 

A highlight for many of the families will be a meeting with their congressional representatives to urge them to endorse a new piece of legislation called the RAISE Act. RAISE stands for “Raising Awareness and Insight about Seizures and Epilepsy.” The Act aims to raise public awareness about epilepsy among employers, school personnel and others who regularly come into contact with people with epilepsy.

On the final night of the events, the Epilepsy Foundation will present its Distinguished Achievement Award to Frank Keating, former Oklahoma governor, and president and CEO of the American Bankers Association. Governor Keating is being honored for his commitment to supporting the Epilepsy Foundation's goals of stopping seizures, finding a cure and overcoming the challenges created by epilepsy. Former White House correspondent Sam Donaldson will be the Master of Ceremonies at the gala, which will take place at The National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, March 29, 2011. For more information on any of the events please visit www.epilesyfoundation.org.