Epilepsy+Foundation+of+Arizona

240 W. Thomas Road, 2nd Floor Phoenix, AZ 85013 Phone: (602) 406-3581 Toll Free: (888) 768-2690 E-mail: efaz@chw.edu

[|//**http://old.epilepsyfoundation.org/local/arizona/index.cfm**//]

More than 65,000 Arizonans have been diagnosed with epilepsy and thousands more are being diagnosed each year; yet it remains one of our most misunderstood and least know health issues. About half of the people with epilepsy have continuing seizures, even with treatment. Many face problems in educational attainment, employment, transportation, and social interaction.

Since 1973, the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona, has been a 501 (c) (3), charitable agency, dedicated to the welfare of people with epilepsy. The goals are the prevention and cure of seizure disorders, the alleviation of their effects, and the promotion of independence and optimal quality of life for people who have these disorders.

The EFAZ employs and equivalent of five full-time employees. The Foundation is governed by a board of directors consisting of leaders from the Arizona business and medical communities. Additionally, the success of the organization and our programs is as a direct result of our more than 150 volunteers. The Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona has developed public education programs that foster community awareness to improve the health care and community support available to all persons affected by epilepsy. Epilepsy is a generic term for a variety of seizure disorders characterized by chronic recurring seizures. A seizure is a disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain. One in every ten Americans have had, or will have, at least one seizure at some time in their lives.

Services provided to the epilepsy community include (i) providing information and education on living successfully with epilepsy (ii) conducting professional and lay seminars (iii) providing a one week camping experience for children with epilepsy (iv) reaching out to populations at risk of developing epilepsy including Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, Seniors, African-Americans, Native Americans and Latino communities (v) training school nurses, law enforcement, first responders, caretakers, and other professionals in seizure recognition, treatment, and response.