Epilepsy Foundation of Australia

Around 30 percent of people live with unpredictable seizures. That's more than 24 million people worldwide. Despite taking anti-seizure medications, some are unable to maintain seizure control. This condition is known as uncontrolled, intractable, refractory, or drug-resistant epilepsy.

For these individuals, alternative treatments like neurosurgery or vagal nerve stimulation may be offered to reduce or eliminate seizure activity.

What do you wish more people understood about drug-resistant epilepsy?

If you would like more information on drug-resistant epilepsy, please contact the National Epilepsy Support Service on 1300 761 487 or [email protected]
Face-to-face meetings are by appointment only.

Writing a Will is one of the most important documents you will ever create.

After providing for your family and friends first, we would be most grateful for any support you can provide for people living with epilepsy.

By remembering the Epilepsy Foundation with a gift in your Will, your decision today will help support those living with epilepsy well into the future.

A gift in your Will is an investment in:
- Ground-breaking research leading to a potential cure
- Innovative support, information and resources for people with epilepsy
- Evolving new treatments aimed at providing greater care for them

Don’t miss out. Write your legal Will securely online for free.

To learn more about writing your legal Will for free, please visit https://bit.ly/4dXDeSK

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of people living with epilepsy? 👟

Step up your support this October! Join Walk for Epilepsy and raise awareness and vital funds to build a brighter future for the 1 in 25 people diagnosed with epilepsy.

Don't wait! Register today by visiting www.walkforepilepsy.org.au/3DCBB9 ☀🚶🚶‍♀️

Way to go, Steph 💜 Thank you for displaying what it means to connect and strive in Walk for Epilepsy 2024 🚶🚶‍♀️☀️

Thank you to Colac Herald for this article. Subscribers can view the article on their website.

Steph puts best foot forward - Colac Herald Stephanie Phipps will put her best foot forward next month to raise awareness and funds for the Epilepsy Foundation.

Are you an unpaid carer? You’re invited to Carer Gateway’s 2024 Carers Week event!

On Saturday, 12 October, Carer Gateway is hosting a special family day for unpaid carers at Grazeland in Melbourne.

There will be dozens of food and drink stalls to choose from, live music, roving entertainers and the opportunity to connect with other carers.

Date: Saturday, 12 October
Location: Grazeland, 20 Booker St, Spotswood
Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: Free

Tickets are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot now! Maximum of four tickets per carer.
Click for more details and to register: https://loom.ly/NMC0ksc

About Carer Gateway and National Carers Week
Carer Gateway is a free nationwide service that provides support tailored to the needs of unpaid carers. National Carers Week (Sunday 13 to Saturday 19 October) celebrates the invaluable contributions of unpaid carers to the community.

Help us bridge the gap in understanding epilepsy by providing your firsthand insights as a person living with epilepsy.

Share your experiences through the GENS survey today. Visit https://bit.ly/3ApPVXZ

Today is R U OK? Day. But that doesn't mean today is the only day to ask this very important question.

Meaningful conversations about our lives and the lives of our loved ones should be had often. Initiate a conversation with others, check in, make sure they are well and offer an ear to listen. Not everyone has the confidence to speak about their hardships, but this doesn't mean they don't exist.

Epilepsy can take a toll on a person's mental health, particularly because of the stigma attached to the condition. It's not always easy for people living with epilepsy to speak about the challenges they face on a daily basis. By asking, "R U OK?" you could very well make all the difference in someone's life.

For information on how to have meaningful conversations around wellbeing, please visit ruok.org.au

If you are in need of epilepsy information or support, please contact the National Epilepsy Support Service on 1300 761 487 or [email protected]
Face-to-face meetings are by appointment only.

For mental health support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

Cody’s Crusaders I'm raising money for a cause close to my heart and would love your support.

Are you participating in Walk for Epilepsy 2024? Get some of your steps in with Zap Fitness 24/7 👟💪

The Epilepsy Foundation are proud to bring you this collaboration with Zap, who are kindly offering a five day free pass in support of Walk for Epilepsy 2024 ☀️🚶🚶‍♀️

Clock up some kms with Zap today. Visit https://www.walkforepilepsy.org.au/F691AC

*T&Cs apply. Valid in Victoria and only during staffed hours.

Don't miss your chance to win the $250K first prize pack in raffle 24, which closes at 8pm (AEST) 12 September 2024. You could be taking home the $250K first prize pack, including a $139K Land Rover
Defender 110, $100K in cashable gold bullion, plus over $10,000 in shopping vouchers.

This incredible first prize could be yours for only $10! Visit https://playforpurpose.com.au/epilepsy-foundation to purchase your tickets.

Are you looking to step it up in your fundraising efforts? This year, it's all about connecting and striving for the 1 in 25 people diagnosed with epilepsy. So, below are some 2024 theme inspired tips to help you smash your fundraising goals 👊💰💜

Connect
🙋 Personalise your fundraising page - Add a profile picture and bio.
💜 Inspire with your story - Inspire people with your journey and progress, and let them know why this cause is so important to you.
📱 Share, share, share - Share your fundraising page on social media and via email with family, friends and colleagues, and encourage them to donate or join you.
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Network - Join our Walk for Epilepsy 2024 Facebook group and connect with the community.
🙏 Say thank you - Make sure your supporters know they are appreciated.

Strive
⭐ Lead the pack - Walk the walk and make a self-donation to your fundraising page.
💪 Go the extra mile - get your workplace or school involved either by doing their own fundraiser or supporting yours.
👟 Go the distance - Walk, run or ride as much and as far as you can - the 1 in 25 Challenge is a great way to do this. The more effort you put in, the more support you'll get.

Connect and strive for 1 in 25 this October. Register for the 1 in 25 Challenge at www.walkforepilepsy.org.au/3DCBB9

Participate in the Global Epilepsy Needs Study (GENS) and lend your voice to help gain insights into the challenges encountered by individuals living with epilepsy.

Your participation matters and can contribute to meaningful change in epilepsy care and support worldwide.

Together, we can make a difference. Participate in the GENS survey today by visiting https://bit.ly/3ApPVXZ

Griffith University is partnering with Australian epilepsy researchers on a study to measure the impact of caregiving for a person with a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), including Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

If you are the main caregiver of a person with a DEE, we are seeking your help to complete a 20–25 minute online survey. The results will be used to raise awareness and justify the need for improving care for people with DEEs and their caregivers. This study has received ethics approval, and results will l be published in a research journal. We do not collect, store, or publish any personal information in this survey.

To find out more and complete the survey, please visit https://griffithuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3jWJFdbYT0L89MO

Nathan Buckley, Neil Balme and Brett Ratten appeared on Channel 7 News earlier this week to speak about their involvement in Walk for Epilepsy 2024 👟

Neil spoke about his personal experience having epilepsy, and Brett told about the challenges presented with his daughter's epilepsy diagnosis, while Nathan spoke for the first time about supporting his partner who has also experienced seizures.

The three footy legends will participate in the Epilepsy Foundation's annual Treadmill Challenge on 1 October at Fitness First, Richmond ☀️🚶🚶‍♀️

Watch here: https://youtu.be/JVMIWBGeBqE

Show your support 💜 Register for Walk for Epilepsy by visiting www.walkforepilepsy.org.au/3DCBB9

Nexon Asia Pacific

Neil Balme, Brett Ratten and Nathan Buckley Join Walk for Epilepsy 2024 on Channel 7 News Register or donate at www.walkforepilepsy.org.au

Heath Hocking appeared on AFL 360 on Monday night with his son, Roman. Heath spoke about Walk for Epilepsy 2024 and his challenge of travelling 250km non-stop on a treadmill for the cause.

Heath is completing his challenge in support of the Epilepsy Foundation and our national partnership with state and territory epilepsy organisations including, Epilepsy Tasmania, The Epilepsy Centre (SA/NT), Epilepsy Queensland, Epilepsy ACT and Epilepsy WA.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/RxCixxGcMGM

Register for Walk for Epilepsy 2024 by visiting https://www.walkforepilepsy.org.au/078B91

Heath Hocking promoting Walk for Epilepsy 2024 on AFL 360 Register or donate at www.walkforepilepsy.org.au

This month is your chance to write your legal Will for free.

It just takes 10 minutes of your time – 10 minutes that can change a person’s life.

Your gift can make a life-changing difference for the 1 in 25 people who have epilepsy. And for the thousands more who love and care for them.

It can help fund ground-breaking research into epilepsy, including the ultimate goal – a cure.
And help us invest in innovative support, education and tools. Along with better treatments and programs. For every person impacted by epilepsy.

Don’t miss out. Write your legal Will securely online for free.

To learn more about writing your legal Will for free, please visit https://bit.ly/4dXDeSK

Your voice matters! If you live with epilepsy or are a carer of someone living with epilepsy, help make a difference worldwide by participating in the Global Epilepsy Needs Study.

Take the survey now and share your experiences by visiting https://bit.ly/3ApPVXZ

Each person’s epilepsy and seizures are different. It is important to determine what risk reduction strategies are right for you based on your lifestyle, seizure control level, and risk level you feel is suitable for your unique situation. However, it would be best not to rely on a single risk reduction strategy in isolation but rather as part of a comprehensive overall risk reduction plan. This includes always remembering to take your epilepsy medications as prescribed.

This video details some risk reduction strategies you can implement around your home.

For further information around managing risks in the home, please visit epilepsyfoundation.org.au/managing-epilepsy/health-and-wellbeing/safety-at-home or https://bit.ly/4dvBtMw

https://youtu.be/pz8jG2liy0I

Epilepsy: Wellness Starts at Home Visit www.epilepsyfoundation.org.au for more information.

Write your legal Will for free, online and in just 10 minutes, this September.

Epilepsy can affect anyone, any time, and at any stage of their life. Just like it has for Stella, Jas, Margaret, their families and friends.

- Stella hadn’t even turned one, she was already experiencing severe seizures.
- Jas believes he’s had epilepsy most of his life. He was officially diagnosed in his 30s.
- And Margaret never would have dreamt that in her golden years she would have epilepsy.

When you choose to leave a Gift in your Will, your decision today can make a life-changing difference for a person living with epilepsy tomorrow.

Your gift is an investment in ground-breaking research including the ultimate goal – a cure for epilepsy. And in innovative support, education and tools along with better treatments and programs for people impacted by epilepsy.

To learn more about writing your legal Will for free, please visit https://bit.ly/4dXDeSK