EPILEPSY ALLIANCE NORTH CAROLINA

EPILEPSY ALLIANCE NORTH CAROLINA Life doesn’t stop with epilepsy — and neither do we.ABOUTUSAt the Epilepsy Alliance of North Carolina, our aim is to empower individuals and families affected by epilepsy. We provide comprehensive support through education, advocacy, and direct services. Our goal is to enhance the quality of life for those living with epilepsy by offering resources, community connections, and compassionate care. Explore our website to learn more about our programs, access valuable information, and find out how you can get involved in making a difference. Together, we can create a world where everyone with epilepsy can thrive.LEARN MOREPROTECT THE CDC EPILEPSY PROGRAM THE FUTURE OF THE CDC EPILEPSY PROGRAM IS IN JEOPARDY. EPILEPSY is not a red issue or a blue issue. It is a PURPLE Issue. Almost 3 million adults in the United States have epilepsy. About 456,000 U.S. children 17 and younger have active epilepsy. These are your family members, your neighbors and your colleagues. THIS IS YOU. WHAT HAPPENED? On April 1, 2025, Reductions in Force (RIF) Notices were issued to staff members in the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Epilepsy Program. The Epilepsy Community has counted on the work, the voice and the programs of the CDC Epilepsy Program for decades. The future of the CDC Epilepsy Program is unclear. These staff reductions will halt progress in preventing, treating and managing epilepsy. THIS IS OUR CALL TO ACTION! Urge your members of Congress to take action and reverse these CDC Epilepsy Program staff cuts and protect funding for the program moving forward. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!EPILEPSY CIRCLE OF CARE"How can I help?" Friends of families of those with epilepsy are often anxious to find out what they can do to lessen the heavy burden of medical problems and the high cost of medical care and special equipment. Now there is a direct, tangible way to make a contribution for a specific need. It is called the Epilepsy "Circle of Care".LEARN MORE AND SEE CURRENT NEEDSTell Me Something Good... ​ Research shows that doing an act of kindness changes you chemically for the good. A simple act of kindness can reward our bodies and our minds. It releases a chemical called oxytocin that contributes to your mood and overall well being. It has also been linked to releasing dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that gives us a feeling of euphoria, as well as serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood. Helping others is also believed to increase levels of an endorphin-like chemical in the body called substance P, which can relieve pain. It has also been found that just hearing about an act of kindness can produce similar results. With this in mind, The Alliance is creating this section dedicated to telling uplifting acts that throw a spotlight on the goodness that is in the world that often goes unseen. To that end, we would like to thank the unknown man in Davidson County who stepped forward while standing in line when the young man with epilepsy was told that his credit card didn’t work when paying for his medicine. “That is no problem,” said the man, “use this one” and handed his to the cashier. The pharmacist who relayed that story was still feeling the flow of the feel-good chemicals. More recently, a young woman who fled from her abusive husband with her three young children found herself without medicine. The Alliance quickly stepped in and arranged for her medicine to be transferred to the new pharmacy a good distance away. Unfortunately, the young mother had no way to get to the pharmacy for pickup. Upon hearing about this, the pharmacist said “No problem, I will drop it by her house after work”. Thank you Tarheel Pharmacy in Carrboro, NC for that lovely act of kindness. If you have witnessed an act of kindness, please share it with us. CONTACT US