The Epilepsy Foundation is the only national organization dedicated to helping people pursue seizure freedom.
The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with over 50 local organizations throughout the United States, has led the fight against seizures since 1968. We are an unwavering ally for individuals and families impacted by epilepsy and seizures. We work to prevent, control, and cure epilepsy through community services, public education, federal and local advocacy, and supporting research into new treatments and therapies. We work to ensure that people with seizures have the opportunity to live their lives to their fullest potential.
Claire loves reading, writing, and history. But missing school for doctors’ appointments and medical testing makes it hard to keep up. Before her family connected with us, Claire told her mom she “felt like the only one who had epilepsy in the whole world and that no one understood me!”
Our local network provides direct services and connections in communities across the United States for individuals and families impacted by seizures and epilepsy. Each local foundation provides education and outreach to community organizations like school systems, emergency services, and local governments.
Lily had her first seizure when she was a baby. She is bright, talented, and full of dreams for her future. But sudden, frightening, dangerous seizures are still part of her life. She describes having epilepsy as “a war that doesn’t have an ending.” But together we can change that!
We provide educational support for individuals and families to help make sure they can manage and control their seizures to the best of their ability. Special initiatives help individuals and caregivers improve their overall health and raise awareness about the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). In addition, we educate the general public to help improve understanding of epilepsy, seizure recognition, and first aid. Epilepsy.com is the largest online education and community portal in the world for epilepsy education and awareness, with over 19 million global visitors a year.
Chase was diagnosed with epilepsy at age three. His seizures – sometimes hundreds a day – slowed his mental and emotional development. With his family and the epilepsy community, Chase is surrounded by love as he fights his battle against epilepsy.
Our epilepsy research ecosystem covers the entire spectrum of discovery – from the idea to market. We foster the development of new scientists and support research that leads to better treatments and care and an end to SUDEP. We strive for excellence, innovation, and radical thinking to end epilepsy.
We are committed to people with epilepsy, their family members, and caregivers; to advocating for funding for epilepsy programs, research, and a cure; to policies that promote research and innovation; to improving access to and coverage of quality care and essential services; and to the protection of the rights of individuals with disabilities. These broad goals guide our federal and state advocacy activities.
Kevin had epilepsy since he was a child. He tried many medications, but nothing completely controlled his seizures. The night of January 31, 2014, he had two seizures during his sleep. His wife, who was very familiar with his seizures, rolled over and went back to sleep. The next morning, she woke up and he didn't. He was only 56 years old. After learning about SUDEP following his passing, his daughter Amber said, “We just didn't know that this could have happened.”
Giving to the Epilepsy Foundation means you make the world a better, easier, more manageable place for Lily, Claire, Chase, and the 3.4 million other people in the U.S. who are living with epilepsy and seizures. Giving means you can help us prevent tragedies like Kevin's family experienced.
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.
