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.

Epilepsy Canada Announces Board of Directors Changes

New Board Members:

We are very pleased to announce that Epilepsy Canada has elected two new directors to complement our dynamic leadership team. Joining the Epilepsy Canada Board are AnneMarie Ryan and Jacques Brunelle.

AnneMarie Ryan is President of AMR Associates and Chair of WCM (Women in Capital Markets). AnneMarie consults to Canadian Financial services firms on market structure and how technology is transforming the investment business. AnneMarie has over 25 years consulting in the Financial Services industry working with ITG Canada, Ontario Securities Commission, Canaccord Capital, Perimeter Financial, and eTrade Canada to name a few. In addition AnneMarie sits on the boards of Benefaction and TriAct Canada Marketplace LLP.

AnneMarie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and MBA from the University of Toronto.

Jacques Brunelle is Vice President, Business Development at INFORMAT Software Inc. in Montreal, Quebec. Jacques has over 30 year’s business experience in business having worked with IBM Canada, Canada Post, Van Houtte, McKesson Canada, and Uniprix Pharmacies. Jacques has been involved with various foundations such as Ressources Jeunesse, The Terry Fox Foundation, and the F.I.N.L.B. (for the visually impaired).

Jacques holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from McGill. Jacques also coaches a children’s ski racing program at Mount Tremblant and is involved in organizing two National Tennis Championship tournaments (under 12, under 14).

Changes to Existing Board Member Status:

Dr. W. McIntyre (Mac) Burnham, Department of Pharmacology at the University of Toronto, has been elected President and Gary Collins, Managing Partner of 4Growth Inc., Vice President of Epilepsy Canada.

Dr. Donald Weaver becomes Past- President, Board Member.

Epilepsy Canada is stronger than ever with this new leadership team in place.

We look forward to being the most formative body in Canada to lead RESEARCH in this field.

Battle of the Blades and Epilepsy Research

Former NHL'er and Stanley Cup winner Boyd Devereaux and award winning figure skater Tanith Belbin have reached the finale of the spectacular "Battle of the Blades" reality TV show http://www.cbc.ca/battle/. Each contestant is allowed to donate their "Battle" winnings to the charity of their choice. The Devereaux family has chosen to donate their winnings to the Epilepsy Huron-Bruce-Perth foundation which funds Epilepsy Research in Canada. Epilepsy Canada is thrilled that the Devereaux's have designated their donations go to funding Epilepsy research.

We wish them well this weekend as they "go for the gold". This is reality TV so let's get all Epilepsy supporters we can to vote for Boyd and Tanith in the finale on Sunday night (November 13 at 7:00 P.M. EST.)

Skating for Charity - definitely Canadian.