Welcome to the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia’s new website! We have completely redone the site over the past few months. The new look provides a much better opportunity to display information and to highlight the things that the organization is doing to help those with epilepsy throughout the state. Take some time to navigate through the site and explore all the information available. There is also a link to the National Epilepsy Foundation website where even more information can be found.

The Foundation’s programs and services accomplishments are highlighted on the Home Page of the website. Since the beginning of our fiscal year (July 1, 2007) our program director has been busy presenting educational programs to more than 8,000 people in 82 counties. We have already begun planning for the 2008 Symposium to be held on November 1, and will be sponsoring additional seminars around the state throughout the year, thanks to a grant from the Georgia Baptist Medical Heath Care Foundation. Our planning for the 2008 summer camp sessions is well underway, and we hope to have a record number of participants.

Overall, our financial status is as solid as it has been in a number of years. Most of our funding now comes from private sources, primarily our two largest fund-raising events – the Taste of Love dinner/auction and the Magnolia Run. This is quite a change from 3-4 years ago when most funding came from the United Way and the State of Georgia. Both of those sources have significantly cut back their support of health charities.

As we look to 2008 we want to continue to grow and expand. Funding has been secured to allow us to provide more resources towards Medication Fund assistance. Additionally, we plan to host an educational program for employers about hiring individuals with epilepsy.

Our advocacy activities continue to expand as we recently held our 2nd Annual Epilepsy Awareness Day at the State Capitol. This allowed us to meet with our local legislators on a face-to-face basis. In March, Gina and Kenya Harbour of Douglasville will represent Georgia at the Kids Speak Out program in Washington, DC. They will be making personal appeals on behalf of the Epilepsy Foundation to our federal delegation.

Our fund raising efforts were rewarded with a very successful Taste of Love dinner/auction held on February 9. We want to thank the volunteers and more than 500 attendees for making this evening such a hit. A more detailed article and photos of the event appear elsewhere in this website. We’ll also be lacing up our shoes soon for the Magnolia Run to be held this summer.

Finally, we can always use more volunteers within the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia. Our Board of Directors has a number of committees providing such opportunities and we can also provide training for those interested in making educational presentations. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the office.

Sincerely,
Pete Graybill
President