By Amber Kaiser
Epilepsy Resources in the U.S.
Welcome to your one stop search for epilepsy support organizations, resources and nonprofits in the U.S. & Canada! You’ll find a resource in almost every state and if they aren’t close to where you live to attend live events or classes, I recommend reaching out to the organization with any questions and to stay connected with their online resources. A lot of epilepsy educational classes and talks are now available online as well!
Although there is still a lot of opportunity for growth in epilepsy support services, there are many states now with Epilepsy Foundation (EF) Chapters. Also known as Epilepsy Foundation of America, EF was established in 1968 and found in most major cities in every state except North Dakota. To see if there is an EF affiliate near you, enter your zip code here, or check out the EF chapters below as well as other epilepsy support groups in your state. EF and most large affiliates have a plethora of resources like online seizure first aid training, epilepsy fundraising events, camps, epilepsy education classes as well as a 24/7 epilepsy helpline at 1-800-332-1000.
Created just a few years ago in 2018, Epilepsy Alliance America (EAA) is one of the newest epilepsy organizations. EAA’s mission is “dedicated to supporting those impacted by epilepsy in local communities confronting the spectrum of challenges created by seizures.” You can become a member and they currently have Alliances in several states including Florida, Louisiana and California. They provide more than a dozen services as well like seizure first aid training, medication assistance, camps and employment assistance. EAA also has an alliance with the Puerto Rican Epilepsy Society.
Check out your state below to see which epilepsy organizations and services may be available directly in your area as well as foundations created by families who have lived with epilepsy.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Epilepsy Foundation Greater Orange County
Epilepsy Foundation Los Angeles
Epilepsy Foundation Northern California
Epilepsy Foundation San Diego County
Sofie’s Journey—Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland
Greg Grunberg Epilepsy Foundation (known as Talk About It!)
Colorado
Epilepsy Foundation Colorado & Wyoming
Connecticut
Epilepsy Foundation Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Epilepsy Assistance Foundation
Josh Provides Epilepsy Assistance Foundation
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Epilepsy Foundation Greater Chicago
Epilepsy Foundation Greater Southern Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Epilepsy Foundation Missouri & Kansas
Kentucky
Epilepsy Foundation Kentuckiana
Louisiana
Maine
Epilepsy Foundation New England
Maryland
National Association of Epilepsy Centers (DC)
Massachusetts
Epilepsy Foundation New England
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Epilepsy Foundation Mississippi
Missouri
Epilepsy Foundation Missouri & Kansas
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
Epilepsy Foundation New England
New Jersey
Epilepsy Foundation New Jersey
New Mexico
Epilepsy Foundation New Mexico
New York
Epilepsy Foundation Long Island
Epilepsy Foundation Metropolitan New York
Epilepsy Foundation Northeastern New York
Epilepsy Alliance West Central New York
North Carolina
Epilepsy Foundation North Carolina
Epilepsy Alliance North Carolina
North Dakota
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Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Southern Oregon Epilepsy Group
Pennsylvania
Epilepsy Foundation Eastern Pennsylvania
Epilepsy Association of Western and Central PA
Rhode Island
Epilepsy Foundation New England
South Carolina
Epilepsy Foundation South Carolina
South Carolina Advocated for Epilepsy
South Dakota
Epilepsy Foundation South Dakota
Tennessee
Epilepsy Foundation East Tennessee
Epilepsy Foundation Southeast Tennessee
Texas
Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas
Epilepsy Foundation Houston/Dallas-Fort Worth/West Texas (has also been referred to as High Plains Epilepsy Association)
Utah
Vermont
Epilepsy Foundation New England
Virginia
Washington
Epilepsy Foundation Washington
West Virginia
Epilepsy Foundation West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Epilepsy Foundation Colorado & Wyoming
Other Resources for Coexisting Conditions
Do you or your loved one live with epilepsy as well as other neurological disorders like cerebral palsy? Coexisting conditions can be very challenging for both the patient and their families. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children with cerebral palsy often have other coexisting conditions including 1 in 4 have epilepsy. Learn more in this really helpful resource, the Cerebral Palsy Guide.
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Epilepsy Resources in Canada
Epilepsy Canada
Epilepsy Canada was founded in 1966 and their mission is to “find a cure for epilepsy, by promoting and funding patient focused research.” You can follow them on Instagram and Facebook, check out their volunteer opportunities and participate in their events.
Canadian Epilepsy Alliance
The Canadian Epilepsy Alliance (CEA) is one of the major resources in Canada for epilepsy support and provides a “Canada-wide network of grassroots organizations dedicated to the promotion of independence and quality of life for people with epilepsy and their families, through support services, information, advocacy, and public awareness.” You can follow them on most social media channels including Twitter and Instagram, read their stories and participate in their events and fundraisers throughout the year. Canadian Epilepsy Alliance has agencies throughout Canada in different provinces including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Maritime Region and Newfoundland & Labrador.
Center for Epilepsy & Seizure Education
The Center for Epilepsy & Seizure Education is in British Columbia, Canada, and started in 1998. Their mission is "dedicated to creating and providing support, information, and education to families and individuals who live with epilepsy, their support staff, educational personnel, friends, co-workers, health care providers and anyone else affected by epilepsy." You can follow them on most social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Voice for Epilepsy
The Voice for Epilepsy mission is to "raise awareness of epilepsy, building a community of shared experiences giving individuals a voice to connect and feel supported." You can also read my interview with the founder, Kasam Parker, to learn more about how he started the organization in Birmingham, UK, and his own experience with epilepsy.
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Do you have questions or know of any other helpful epilepsy resources? Feel free to email us at hello@neureka.ai and stay connected with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram!