Star Wars Actor Raising Awareness About Seizures

The Epilepsy Foundation and actor Greg Grunberg launch a new website
The Epilepsy Foundation recently launched its TalkAboutIt.org website in partnership with epilepsy advocate and actor Greg Grunberg, who is featured in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Trek Beyond. The site, with sponsorship support from Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, raises awareness about seizure symptoms, offers first aid information, and addresses misconceptions about the condition. Three million people in the United States currently live with seizures, and one in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy in their lifetime.
The site is a unique, subway-themed resource that pairs celebrities and some of the leading experts in epilepsy to take viewers on a journey and provide information about key topics, such as what is epilepsy, who has it, how to treat epilepsy, how to provide seizure first aid, and how to help end public misunderstanding about epilepsy.
“Epilepsy is one of the oldest known medical conditions, but many people still don’t know much about seizures,” said Grunberg. “My son had seizures during high school. I personally went to the teachers and spoke about what to do if he had a seizure. It’s very common for people to think that epilepsy is contagious or that it is a mental illness, when in fact it’s not! Once people know about epilepsy and are comfortable talking about it, the world can start to change for people with seizures. Acceptance and understanding replaces ignorance and fear. Everyone needs to talk about it.”
When his son was first diagnosed with epilepsy, the Epilepsy Foundation helped Grunberg and his wife connect with services and support. One of the goals of TalkAboutIt.org is to help individuals and families find similar connections through the resources of the Foundation.
Another key goal of the site is to help raise public awareness. Many well-known celebrities appear on the site to help educate visitors about epilepsy and seizures.
“The Epilepsy Foundation is proud to deepen our partnership with our longtime friend and advocate, Greg Grunberg,” said Phil Gattone, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. “Greg and his celebrity friends will help us take our efforts to the next level to lead the fight in helping people overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy. TalkAboutIt.org helps us highlight the need to accelerate access to better therapies to save lives, while also raising awareness of seizures and proper first aid. We have greater strength when we all talk about it and take action together.”
TalkAboutIt.org is a program of the Epilepsy Foundation and is supported by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the innovative application of science and medicine to help people with serious medical conditions.
What is Epilepsy?
When a person has two unprovoked seizures or one unprovoked seizure with the likelihood of more, they are considered to have epilepsy. Epilepsy affects 3 million people in the U.S. and 65 million worldwide. This year, another 150,000 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite all available treatments, 4 out of 10 people with epilepsy continue to experience uncontrolled seizures while many more experience less than optimal seizure control.
About the Epilepsy Foundation
The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with nearly 50 local organizations throughout the U.S., has led the fight against seizures since 1968. The Foundation is an unwavering ally for individuals and families impacted by epilepsy and seizures. The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is: to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives. The Foundation works to ensure that people with seizures have the opportunity to live their lives to their fullest potential. For additional information, please visit epilepsy.com.
Source: epilepsy.com