Issue: January 2013
 

Welcome to Epilepsy News brought to you by the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey. We pride ourselves in sending you the most up-to-date information about epilepsy events, conferences, and issues that are important to you.


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Epilepsy Foundation And Epilepsy Therapy Project Finalize Merger To Create Strong, Unified Organization To Support People With Epilepsy
  

New foundation will drive awareness, supportive care and accelerate new therapies for millions of people living with seizures

 

Washington, DC, December 26, 2012 - The Epilepsy Foundation (EF) and the Epilepsy Therapy Project (ETP) announced today that their Boards of Directors have unanimously approved the merger of the two organizations.The new organization, known as the Epilepsy Foundation, will fight for more than two million Americans and their families living with epilepsy today and the one in 26 Americans who will develop epilepsy at some point in their lives.The new mission of the Foundation is to stop seizures and SUDEP, find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy and research to accelerate ideas into therapies.This strategic merger of the EF and ETP has garnered tremendous support from leaders in the healthcare advocacy and research communities.

 

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In This Issue
- Epilepsy Foundation and Epilepsy Therapy Project Finalize Merger to Create Strong Unified Organization
- Paint the Pony Purple Set for March 24th
- Candlelight Concert for Epilepsy Awareness
- The National Walk for Epilepsy
- NREG Epilepsy National Walk Travel Fund
- Epilepsy Foundation of NJ 2013 Scholarship
- Dr. Marcelo Lancman, Medical Director of the NEREG
- Madden Bill to Extend Epilepsy Task Force, Add Members from School Nurses Approved by Senate
- Super NOVA
- Kelly Pretz Organizes Purple Bracelet Making in Manasquan
- Shop for a Cause!
- Donate!!
Epilepsy Foundation of NJ
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The Second Annual Paint the Pony Purple event will be held on Sunday, March 24th at the celebrated Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ.  Paint the Pony Purple is part of 50 Concerts 50 States

 

Last year's event raised about $5,000 to support EFNJ's Fifth Grade Program. Tickets are reasonably priced at $20.00 each, to purchase click here or call 732-528-4382.

 

 

  
 
   
  
candlelight concert 

The Candlelight Concert for Epilepsy Awareness is being sponsored and promoted by Eric Miller in part to honor the memory of his late wife, Carolina Barcelos Carneiro de Oliveira Miller. On August 22nd, 2011, Carolina, age 25, passed away suddenly as a result of epilepsy.She was just 25 years old. It is our privilege to collaborate with Eric to raise awareness about epilepsy and carry on the remembrance of Carolina. This fundraising effort is designed to reverse the history of stigmatization and further contribute to seeking a cause and cure for epilepsy.

 

For more information please visit http://www.candlelightconcert.org/

  

 

Further Information has been released in USA Today. Please visit http://sites.conversionplanet.com/epilepsy-awareness/home/i-lost-my-wife-to-sudden-unexpected-death-in-epilepsy for more information.

 

 

 

The National Walk is fast approaching! Saturday, April 20, 2013, Washington, D.C.

 

 

nat epilespy walk 

 

The National Walk for Epilepsy will continue to bring attention to what Epilepsy is and is not. As we walk together we will be sending a strong message to others across the nation that people with epilepsy are deserving of respect and are strong members of our community. Epilepsy deserves to be better understood!

 

 

This year EFNJ would like to get as many New Jersey teams as possible together at the starting line! If you have already created a team or plan to, please contact Andrea Racioppi at aracioppi@efnj.com or 800.336.5843.

 

 

If you are interested in creating a team you can go to

 

www.walkforepilepsy.org and click on the create a team tab. Under Team Company, write "Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey." By typing in EFNJ, the money that you raise will stay in New Jersey and help support the programs and services that benefit people with Epilepsy in New Jersey.

 

Can't make it to the walk? You can still show your commitment by joining us for the Virtual

Walk for Epilepsy. Donations can be sent via check to National Walk for Epilepsy,8301 Professional Place, Landover, MD 20785.
 

Please make sure to include Epilepsy Foundation of NewJersey in the memo line of your check.

Hope to see you there!

 

 

 

 

 Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group National Walk Travel Fund

 

If you are interested in attending the National Walk in Washington, D.C. but need assistance in paying for transportation from New Jersey (train ticket, bus ticket, or gas mileage), please contact Andrea Racioppi at 800.336.5843 or aracioppi@efnj.com

 

The Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group has generously donated funding to help assist those with Epilepsy to get to and from the National Walk on April 20, 2013. Funding is only for those with Epilepsy and for travel from and to New Jersey. This funding will be distributed on a first come first serve basis and the deadline to make a request is April 5th. Once approved you will be reimbursed after the walk, a bus or train receipt is required. In order to maximize the number of individuals that benefit from this funding, allowance per person has been set according to estimated travel costs.

 

A special thank you to the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group for providing the travel fund for the third year in a row!

 

 

  

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey 2013 Scholarship

 

The Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey is pleased to announce the existence of a scholarship program for New Jersey high school seniors who have epilepsy.  We anticipate offering a least three $1,000 scholarships.

 

New Jersey high school seniors with epilepsy who plan to attend a college or university are eligible.  Academic achievement, participation in activities and financial need will be considered.  The extent of a student's disability(s) will be taken into account as well, so that s/he need not be near the top of her/his class to qualify.  Final awards will be made by the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey, which reserves the right not to make any awards.

 

Applications and supporting documents are due May 15, 2009.  For an application click http://www.efnj.com/content/services/programs.php.

Please call 800.336.5843 or email aracioppi@efnj.com  for more information.

 


 

 

 

Dr. Marcelo Lancman, Medical Director of the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group (NEREG) of New York and New Jersey Authors Book on New Epilepsy for Patients and Loved Ones
  

EFNJ would like to thank Dr. Lancman for generously donating proceeds from this book to the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey.

 

Dr. Marcelo Lancman, Director of Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group and a board certified epileptologist with over 20 years of experience, commented: "We wrote What You Need to Know if Epilepsy Has Touched Your Life to provide the most current medical, psychological and lifestyle information on epilepsy in plain English. This book is part of the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group's campaign to raise epilepsy and seizure awareness and provides education in understandable language." Collaborating authors include Dr. Evan Fertig, the NEREG Director of Research, Dr. Olgica Laban-Grant, New York Associate Director of NEREG, Dr. Lorna Myers, clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist, and Dana Casendino, registered dietician.
  
click here to buy a copy of Dr. Lancmans book.
  
  
  
Madden Bill to Extend Epilepsy Task Force, Add Member from School Nurses Approved by Senate
  

TRENTON - Legislation sponsored by Senator Fred Madden (D- Camden/Gloucester) that would extend the work of the New Jersey Epilepsy Task Force for another year and add representation for school nurses was approved unanimously today by the full Senate.

 

"It's important that we provide the Task Force enough time to compile the necessary information to provide recommendations on how to improve the screening, diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy," said Senator Madden. "The recommendations of the task force will be used to educate the public and health care professionals about the symptoms and treatment of epilepsy. This is a treatable disease but knowledge is vital to prevent complications and related health problems."

 

The bill (S-2353) would also have the epilepsy task force provide an interim report to the Legislature and the governor in advance of the full report. The report is to include recommendations to address the psychosocial issues faced by persons with epilepsy, such as, depression, stigmatization, and discrimination.

 

 

  
Super NOVA
 
 
  
  
Kelly Pretz Organizes Purple Bracelet Making in Manasquan
  
 

Teen mentor and author of Rain at Midnight, Kelly Pretz organizes her second annual purple bracelet making event in Manasquan for girls with epilepsy. Kelly is completing her Girl Scouts' Gold Award and chose to center the goal around raising epilepsy awareness.  She will be selling the bracelets at her high school to educate her peers about the diagnosis. All donations will benefit EFNJ. Great job and thank you Kelly! For more information on how to do something like this at your local school or community organization, please contact 800.336.5843.

 
Shop For A Cause!
  
What better way to raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation of NJ than by shopping?  You can automatically donate up to 20% of your purchases to the Epilepsy Foundation of NJ and get money-saving coupons at 2800+ stores with Goodshop.  Participating retailers include, Amazon, Best Buy, Apple Store, Macy's and more.  To participate please click here and download the tool bar.
  

 
  
Donate!!
  
Donate Now

Talk About Efficient - The Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey spends 95 cents out of every dollar for direct services and programs! Support sustainability and "go green" by giving online. It's economical and environmentally friendly. To make an online donation please click here.

 

Auto Donations

Are you thinking of selling or trading in that old car? Why not donate it instead? As a charitable contribution your vehicle donation could make a big difference. Our process is simple, quick and convenient and we will provide free and timely pick-up of your vehicle donation. Our program is simple ... The better the car, the greater your tax deduction.  To inquire about a donation please contact us.

 

Cell Phone Drive

Do you have old cell phones gathering dust in your closet? Help the environment and raise funds for the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey by donating your old cell phones. All collected phones will be shipped to a recycling company who then refurbishes the phones and provides EFNJ with payment. Phones need not be in working order to qualify.

 

To participate please mail or drop off your used cell phones to any of our 5 statewide locations.

 

Memorial Donations

You can create a living memorial in the name of a family member or friend. Your tax-deductible donation will help the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey and/or The Family Resource Network continue to develop innovative programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities. We'll send a letter personalized with your message to the person you designate to acknowledge (the amount of the gift will not be indicated). If you prefer, you can make your donation by phone at 609-392-4900, or mail your donation to 1 AAA Drive, Suite 203, Trenton, NJ 08691.

 

Matching Gifts

Do you know that your employer may be able to match your gift and double the amount you donate to the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey or The Family Resource Network? Most companies and organizations have matching gift programs. Check with your Human Resources Department and ask them to match your gift to the Family Support Center of New Jersey or The Family Resource Network. If they don't have a matching gift program and they would like to start one, please contact Heather Comstock at (609) 392-4900.