Epilepsy Foundation Presents 2015 Champion of Epilepsy Award to John M. Pellock MD

WASHINGTON – The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with nearly 50 community offices throughout the United States, is honoring Dr. John M. (Jack) Pellock with the 2015 Champion of Epilepsy Award on April 23 at its “Race for Results” Reception in Washington.

The award recognizes Dr. Pellock’s career-long dedication to the epilepsy community as an internationally recognized expert in epilepsy drug therapy and clinical care. He has been principal investigator for more than 100 trials evaluating epilepsy treatments in children and adults, and has been involved in antiepileptic drug development and studying epilepsy in children for more than 30 years.

The Champion of Epilepsy Award celebrates individuals whose work has had a positive impact on epilepsy advocacy and awareness. Recipients of the Champion of Epilepsy Award exemplify the Epilepsy Foundation’s mission to stop seizures and SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy), find a cure, and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy, and research to accelerate ideas into new therapies.

“Dr. Pellock’s pioneering work is a testament to his lifelong commitment to serving the epilepsy community and passion for the mission we all share,” said Philip M. Gattone, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. “We are grateful for his longtime support of the Epilepsy Foundation and individuals living with seizures, and we are privileged to honor him.”

Dr. Pellock is professor of neurology, pediatrics, pharmacy, and pharmaceutics at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He served as chairman of the division of child neurology from 1995-2014. He received the 2004 J. Kiffin Penry Award for Excellence in Neurology from the American Epilepsy Society and has published extensively and lectured widely on pediatric epilepsy.

The Epilepsy Foundation’s “Race for Results” Reception, to be held April 23 in conjunction with the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting, will celebrate the people and innovative new therapies and technologies that are making a difference in the lives of individuals living with epilepsy and seizures.

About Epilepsy
When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, they are considered to have epilepsy. Epilepsy affects nearly 3 million people in the U.S. and 65 million worldwide. This year, another 150,000 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy.

About the Epilepsy Foundation
The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with nearly 50 affiliated organizations throughout the United States, 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 stop seizures and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy, and research to accelerate ideas into therapies. 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 www.epilepsy.com.

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