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August 2026 Newsletter
Hope to See You There
National Night Out is taking place TOMORROW, August 4 at Delcastle Park in Wilmington. Come out for an enjoyable evening, and be sure to stop by and say hello! EFDE will be there spreading awareness and advocating for our community.
Parents & Caregivers, Let's Connect
Want to meet others caring for a loved one with epilepsy? Need a place to share your feelings? Then this Support Group is for you! Organized by the mother of an epilepsy warrior here in Delaware, this informal support space will allow parents/caregivers the chance to connect, share and support one another in a casual environment. Regular attendance is not required - join us when you can. The group will meet Tuesday, August 18 at 8:00 p.m. via Zoom. Please register here and the Zoom link will be provided:
Register today for EFDE's Freedom From Seizures 5K South!
Join us for an exciting morning on Saturday, October 10 at the Greene Turtle Bar & Grille. Stick around for our post-race celebration and awards ceremony.
Registering for our Freedom From Seizures 5K South will help raise funds for essential support programs and trainings, as well as raise awareness and reduce stigma in epilepsy.
The Teens Speak Up! & Public Policy Institute (TSU) is one of the Epilepsy Foundation of America's signature advocacy initiatives, bringing together teens living with epilepsy, family members, staff, healthcare providers, and volunteers from across the country to make a difference. Teens interested in participating in the program mustself-nominate byMonday, August 31, 2026.
Selected participants will have the opportunity to visit the nation's capital to receive advocacy training and meet with their members of Congress and their staff to share their experiences and advocate forissues vital to the epilepsy community. TSU is also an incredible connection opportunity, allowing teens to connect not only with their elected officials, but with other teens across the country living with or impacted by epilepsy.
Details & Eligibility
Event Dates: Sunday, April 11, 2027 – Tuesday, April 13, 2027
Location: Washington, D.C. area
Age & Education Level: Must be between 13 and 17 years old as of April 11, 2027, and at least in middle school.
Residency & Commitment: Must reside in the U.S. and commit to full in-person participation in TSU in April 2027 and the Year of Service.
Sibling Opportunity: The program primarily focuses on teens living with epilepsy. However, if a teen with epilepsy/seizure disorder is unable to travel due to health or disability-related concerns, a limited number of spots are available for eligible siblings (including siblings who have lost a brother or sister to epilepsy).
Cost:Travel, lodging, and most meal expenses are covered for each selected teen and one family member.
Learn more about the TSU program, process, eligibility, and submit a self-nomination here:
John H. Ammon Medical Education Center at Christiana Care
Newark, Delaware
Registration coming in September for this FREE educational event!
Friends Helping Friends
The Epilepsy Foundation of Delaware is pleased to again be partnering with Boscov's for the "Friends Helping Friends" event. Donate $5 to the EFDE and receive a 25% off shopping pass to be used on Wednesday, October 21 at any Boscov's (in store and online). You can also register to win a $100 Boscov's gift card (one winner at every store). The best part...100% of your donation goes to the EFDE! Please share this with your family and friends, then contact our office (302-999-9313) or email (efd@efde.org) to let us know how many passes you would like. Thank you and happy shopping!
In Appreciation
On July 1 we kicked off the 2026-2027 Annual Fund. For those unfamiliar with our annual fund, it is a critical source of revenue and provides funding for all of EFDE's educational events, support programs, seizure first aid trainings, our community outreach, and our advocacy efforts throughout the state. Thanks to your kindness, we are able to provide all of our services and resources at no charge to our community.
A big thank you to all who donated in July :
Brian Bartley - Joseph Cunningham - PayPal Giving Fund - Karyn Scout - John & Dawn Smith - AmeriHealth Caritas - James & Rhonda Lehr - Shirley Franklin - Wayne & Karyn Casares - Karen Palermo & Lois Ford - Carl & Sophie Williamson - Tammy Hanby
Don’t see your name? Make your gift today and join this dedicated group of supporters.
Hello, my name is Jada and I have been diagnosed with epilepsy since I was 10. Now I am 16 and driving! When people have epilepsy, many say it’s a scary disorder, or people with epilepsy have to stop doing what they love so they are safe. My friends asked me questions like this before. Since I am a child athlete and a person who loves to be out, my parents have a system. When my seizures weren’t controlled, we had someone with me at all times who was seizure certified. Some examples of precautions: if in a pool - the person with me would quickly react to get me out of the water; time - I carried a stopwatch with me in my bag for quick access; always letting my parents or friends know where I am going if I have to be by myself temporarily, and much more. In the beginning, I thought I had to give up sports. I love playing soccer, volleyball, basketball, ice skating, track, and other sports. I was worried that if I had a seizure, I would ruin the flow of the game and scare others badly, but my parents kept me in sports and my coaches understood what to do in the event of me seizing. Now in high school, with plenty of friends, people who understand my disorder, teachers, students, and people outside of my school show their support by working with me one-on-one if I need it. I am entering my junior year of high school, I can drive now, still keep my beloved sports, and am one of the most active people in and out of school, with dozens of professionals I am in contact with. I want to do Forensic Science CSI, and I know epilepsy hasn’t stopped me from reaching my goals in life. How I have always thought of epilepsy was a regular life with extra steps, and those steps give you a better story!
Join EFDE in wishing a veryHappy Birthdayto all celebrating aAugust Birthday!
Marla - Sarah - Bridget
Have an upcoming birthday? Click here to let us know so we can give you a shout out and celebrate you!
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