Telephone Service Disruption at Epilepsy Canada

Due to moving our National Office on June 7^th, Epilepsy Canada  will be experiencing a minor disruption in our telephone service on that day. Should you need to contact us, our voicemail service will be unaffected. Please feel free leave us a message at 1-877-734-0873 and we will promptly return your call.

Alternatively, you can reach us via email:

Gary Collins – garycollins@epilepsy.ca

Jaime Weatherbee – jaime@epilepsy.ca

Chow Dindayal – chow@epilepsy.ca

We thank you for your continued support, your patience, and understanding.  

Poker Tournament In Aid of Epilepsy Research

Saturday, May 5th, 2012 commencing at 7:00 PM come out and join us for a friendly poker tournament in aid of epilepsy research at The North Beach Volleyball Academy at 74 Railside Road in North York. Tickets are $30.00 at the door and 100% of all proceeds go to Epilepsy Research! There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers as well as Door Prizes to be won. There is also a restaurant with cash bar on site.

For more information, please contact 416-224-9300.

We hope to see you there!

MARCH IS EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH!

Today, 42 Canadians will learn that they have epilepsy. Approximately 300,000 Canadians now live with this neurological disorder; a condition that causes sudden bursts of hyperactivity in the brain and reveals itself in the form of seizures.

 Would you be surprised to that there are twice as many Canadians living with epilepsy as with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis-- combined?  Due to the stigma that surrounds epilepsy, many with the disorder have been reluctant to speak out about it. As a result it has been dubbed "The Silent Disorder".  March is Epilepsy Month, a good time to break the silence.

Dr. W. McIntyre (Mac) Burnham, President of Epilepsy Canada and a member of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Toronto, is one of the leaders in the fight to find a cure for epilepsy. He says that research efforts are showing promise for new ways to treat and manage the condition. "I can point to three specific areas where there is reason for hope," he said. "Several new anticonvulsant drugs have been introduced in the past few years which are proving to be successful in managing many patients' conditions.  Clinical trials of new dietary supplements are moving forward: if successful these hold the promise of providing new options for controlling seizures through diet. And advances are being made in the use of Deep Brain Stimulation to control seizures. "

Epilepsy Canada is the only national organization in Canada with the mission to enhance the quality of life for persons affected by epilepsy through the promotion and funding of research and education. It receives no government funding and relies entirely on private and corporate donations to achieve its goals.  Each year, Epilepsy Canada awards research grants to doctors and students, to advance our knowledge about epilepsy with over 57 cents of every dollar donated going directly to research. The balance is used for education and administration.

 Dr. Burnham said, "During Epilepsy Awareness Month we invite all Canadians to break the silence that surrounds epilepsy and learn more about it by visiting our website or connecting to us on Facebook or Twitter"  Adding, "We also hope they ask, 'How can I help in the effort to find a cure?'  More research is required and that means we need more funds."

New Executive Director at Epilepsy Canada

Toronto – The Board of Director's of Epilepsy Canada have voted to appoint Gary Collins to the position of Executive Director. Mr. Collins will step down from his position on the Board of Directors when the appointment takes effect March 1, 2012.

Mr. Collins was first elected to the Board of Directors, Epilepsy Canada in October 2010. He has served the organization in the role of Vice President since December 2011.

Commenting on the appointment, Epilepsy Canada President Dr. W. McIntyre Burnham said, "Over the past year Gary's leadership has been instrumental in bringing our marketing and fund raising efforts into the digital era. He possesses strategic business experience, the ability to forge alliances and partnerships, and limitless energy. We're keen to utilize all three attributes in the coming months to grow our research funding program."

Gary Collins is also the Managing Partner at 4Growth Inc. a Toronto area management Consulting firm. He will retain his responsibilities at 4Growth in addition to performing his Epilepsy Canada duties.

Epilepsy Canada is the only national organization in Canada with the mission to enhance the quality of life for persons affected by epilepsy through the promotion and funding of research. It receives no government funding and relies entirely on private and corporate donations to achieve its goals.

Through its promotion and support of research funding initiatives Epilepsy Canada builds understanding of epilepsy and raises money to ensure research for new treatments continues.

Purple Day Act

We are very close to having Purple Day become a reality here in Canada! There is not much time, please write in to the Clerk of the Standing Committee on Health by email and tell them why they should support the Purple Day Act! Make Cassidy Megan's dream a reality! See www.purpleday.org for more details.

All written Submissions to the Standing committee on Health in Ottawa need to be in by Tuesday, Feb. 14th. Please write them and ask them to support Bill C-278 the Purple Day Act so it moves on to the next step.

Committees
Directorate
Sixth Floor, 131 Queen Street
House of Commons
Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Canada

Toronto Rock Ticket Promotion to Benefit Epilepsy Canada

The Toronto Rock are partnering with Epilepsy Canada to raise money for epilepsy research. Fans of the NLL champion Toronto Rock can enjoy their lacrosse heroes battle the Buffalo Bandits on March 16, at special discounted ticket prices.

A portion of every ticket sold in this promotion will be donated to Epilepsy Canada. The game is one of three home dates at the Air Canada Centre which The Rock will play during March -- Epilepsy Awareness Month.

Over 300,000 Canadians have epilepsy, a condition that causes sudden bursts of hyperactivity in the brain and reveals itself in the form of seizures. Epilepsy Canada is the only national organization in Canada with the mission to enhance the quality of life for persons affected by epilepsy through the promotion and funding of research and education. It receives no government funding and relies entirely on private and corporate donations to achieve its goals.

Tickets for the March 16 Rock vs. Buffalo Bandits game can be purchased online at http://www.torontorock.com/page/epilepsy

Call for research grant 2012

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 

Epilepsy Canada is pleased to announce that it is again accepting submissions to support research trainees in any area of research pertaining to epilepsy. Epilepsy Canada’s mission is to support research (in the biomedical, clinical or social sciences) that is focussed on improving the lives of people with seizure disorders. In particular, we are seeking to fund post-doctoral researchers and summer studentships associated with a Canadian university or hospital (research activities must be conducted within Canada).

Postdoctoral Research Award

Epilepsy Canada will award one (1) postdoctoral research award (valued at $37,000 CDN) for the time period July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013. This award is for one year only; requests for renewal must be done in the form of a complete new application and are dependent upon availability of funds. Applications are invited from qualified applicants who are within three years of the completion of their PhD at the time of application submission. Applications are invited from all areas of epilepsy research including the biomedical, clinical and social sciences. A complete application will consist of the following:

1. a description of the proposed research (including Research Hypothesis, Research Goals, Back-ground, Methods, Proposed Work, Relevance to Epilepsy; 5 pages maximum, 12 pt font, Arial or Times New Roman, single spaced, 0.75 inch borders)
2. curriculum vitae of the applicant (common CV, CIHR format)
3. curriculum vitae of the proposed supervisor (common CV, CIHR format).

Please submit the original plus four (4) copies (total 5 copies) to Epilepsy Canada postmarked or courier-stamped on or before April 1st, 2012. Results will be announced on April 23rd, 2012. The award is to be held at a Canadian university or hospital.

Summer Studentship

Epilepsy Canada will award one (1) summer studentship (valued at $5,000 CDN) for the time period June 01, 2012 – August 30, 2012. Applications are invited from students enrolled at a Canadian university or college at the time of application submission. Applications are invited from all areas of epilepsy research including the biomedical, clinical and social sciences. A complete application will consist of the following:

1. a description of the proposed research (including Research Goals, Background, Methods, Proposed Work, Relevance to Epilepsy; 2 pages maximum, 12 pt font, Arial or Times New Roman,single spaced, 0.75 inch borders)
2. curriculum vitae of the applicant (free format, 3 pages maximum) and
3. curriculum vitae of the proposed supervisor (common CV, CIHR format).

Please submit the original plus four (4) copies (total 5 copies) to Epilepsy Canada postmarked or courier-stamped on or before April 1st, 2012. Results will be announced on April 23rd, 2012. The award is to be held at a Canadian university, college or hospital.