NATIONAL MEDIA ALERT

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE USE

                                                                                                                 

1 in 10 Aussies with epilepsy sustaining serious physical injuries
Call to improve community awareness, support & response to seizures this Purple Day® 

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One in 10 Australians living with epilepsy experience a seizure-related injury each year, many of which are potentially life-threatening, according to an article just published in MJA InSight to mark Purple Day® (an international epilepsy awareness day).1

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The most commonly reported seizure-related injuries sustained by those living with the neurological (brain) disease include head, water immersion, driving, burns, fractures and dental-related injuries.1,2

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Doctors, advocacy groups, patients and their families will join forces Australia-wide today, Thursday, 
March 26 to highlight the serious injuries caused by epileptic seizures, and call for heightened awareness, understanding and support for the 250,000 Australians living with epilepsy,3 to create calmer waters through which they can safely navigate their physical journey with the disease.  

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To learn more, about the potentially life-threatening injuries sustained by those living with epilepsy, 
tee up an interview with: 
 

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW

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EXPERTS    

Dr Kaitlyn Parratt   

              

Prof Ernest Somerville   

 

A/Prof Wendyl D’Souza      

Prof Terence O’Brien           

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PATIENT ADVOCACY GROUP REPRESENTATIVES

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Carol Ireland                  

Graeme Shears            

Helen Whitehead 

Fiona Allardyce             

Wendy Groot                 

Robyn Wakefield          

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Emma Buitendag       

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AUSTRALIAN LIVING WITH EPILEPSY

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Amy, 20            

Phill, 35             

Georgia, 19      

Chelsea, 21      

Brae, 22            

Lisa, 39             

Matt, 30            

Hayley, 49        

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Purple Day is a Registered Trademark of The Anita Kaufmann Foundation.

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BROADCAST VISION CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE: https://vimeo.com/400152677/f254845227

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FOR INTERVIEWS CONTACT: 

Kirsten Bruce, Holly Hamilton Green or Bella Poidevin, VIVA! Communications02 9968 3741 or 0401 717 566 / 0434 799 839 / 0423 041 631

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References

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1.    Parratt, K. and W. D’Souza. People with epilepsy; sailing against the wind. MJA InSight, 2020.
2.   Tan, M., et al., Risk factors for injury in a community-treated cohort of patients with epilepsy in Australia. Epilepsia, 2019. 60(3): p. 518-526.
3.   Deloitte Access Economics, The economic burden of epilepsy in Australia, 2019-2020. 2020.

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Consultant neurologist & epileptologist, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital & Sharp Neurology, SYDNEY 

Neurologist, epileptologist, Director, Comprehensive Epilepsy Service, Prince of Wales Hospital & Professor, University of New South Wales, SYDNEY

Neurologist, epileptologist & epidemiologist, St Vincent’s Hospital, MELBOURNE

Professor of Medicine (Neurology) & Head, Department of Neuroscience & Central Clinical School, Monash University MELBOURNE

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Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Epilepsy Action Australia, SYDNEY

Chief Executive Officer, Epilepsy Foundation, MELBOURNE

Chief Executive Officer, Epilepsy Queensland, BRISBANE

Chief Executive Officer, Epilepsy ACT & epilepsy advocate, CANBERRA

Chief Executive Officer, Epilepsy Tasmania & Chair, Epilepsy Australia, HOBART

Chief Executive Officer, Epilepsy Centre (SA & NT) & Board Member Epilepsy Australia, ADELAIDE

Chief Executive Officer, Epilepsy WA, PERTH 

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Passionate cellist & Sydney Conservatorium of Music student living with epilepsy, SYDNEY

CEO & water-sports enthusiast who broke both shoulders during a seizure, SYDNEY

Nursing student who experienced her first seizure during her final high school exams, SYDNEY

University student whose strong support system helps her manage her epilepsy, MELBOURNE

AFL & gold detecting enthusiast whose epilepsy put his plumbing career on hold, HORSHAM, VIC

Avid writer who was diagnosed with epilepsy diagnosis after a brain haemorrhage, BRISBANE

Father & graphic designer whose epilepsy is limiting his career potential, GOLD COAST

Epilepsy support counsellor whose has lived with the condition for 14 years, PERTH