Epilepsy Advocates Take Over Capitol Hill with Week of Activities

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Mar 22, 2010, 12:43 ET

NBC Star Briefs Congress and Leads National Walk for Epilepsy

WASHINGTON, March 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 5,000 people are expected to participate in the Epilepsy Foundation's week of activities March 23 through 27 to raise public awareness of epilepsy and seizures, increase funding for programs and research, and empower people with epilepsy to become advocates for better health care. Events include a Kids Speak Up! national conference, congressional meetings and the National Walk for Epilepsy led by Hollywood favorite Greg Grunberg and NFL stars Alan Faneca of the New Jets, Jason Snelling of the Atlanta Falcons and Geoffrey Pope of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Kids Speak Up! conference kicks off the week at the Washington Plaza Hotel. The conference unites youth between the ages of 8-17 from across the country to become advocates for the nearly 3 million people living with epilepsy in the United States. The participants and their families will learn the latest in epilepsy research and meet with their congressional representatives to share their personal stories about the challenges of living with seizures.

On Thursday, March 25, Greg Grunberg, star of NBC's hit show Heroes, will host a congressional briefing to highlight the need to increase support of epilepsy research and improve public awareness of the condition. Grunberg, an Epilepsy Foundation spokesperson, serves in honor of his son, Jake, who has epilepsy.

On Saturday, March 27, thousands of people will rally on the National Mall for the National Walk for Epilepsy. Leading the Walk will be Grunberg and New York Jets offensive lineman and nine-time Pro Bowl player, Alan Faneca, who will walk with his family because he and his daughter have epilepsy. Also participating is Atlanta Falcons running back Jason Snelling, who was diagnosed with epilepsy as a teen and Geoffrey Pope, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback, who will lead a team in honor of his grandmother who experiences seizures.

For more information about the Walk visit www.WalkforEpilepsy.org or www.epilepsyfoundation.org.

About Epilepsy Foundation

The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with affiliated organizations throughout the United States, has led the fight against epilepsy since 1967. The Foundation's goals are to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; improve how people with epilepsy are perceived, accepted and valued in society; and promote research for a cure.

SOURCE Epilepsy Foundation