COAL VALLEY, Ill. — November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, and the Epilepsy Advocacy Network is inviting the Quad Cities area community to join in the fun while supporting an important cause.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes recurring seizures. It’s one of the most common neurologic disorders in the country and can impact people of all ages. According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, one in 26 people will be diagnosed with the epilepsy disease in their lifetime.
That’s where the EAN comes in. The nonprofit serves 60 counties in the northern and central Illinois region, including the QCA.
The organization offers both medical and social support, including emergency assistance for medication and travel to appointments, as well as seizure-safe products like pillows and alert watches. They also provide broad case management and advocacy for people of all ages living with epilepsy.
EAN also works to educate the community through free Seizure First Aid trainings, Epilepsy 101 programs for youth, and outreach to schools in connection with a new Illinois House Bill requiring seizure training for educators.
If you want to help their mission, you can attend a Bingo Bash fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 8 at The Rock in Coal Valley. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. and the bingo begins at 6. It will be music bingo, with a chance to win prizes including a 32″ TV. There will also be food, a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle.
Tickets are $20 for ten bingo games or $120 for a table of eight. You can register here or at the door. There are also t-shirts for sale for $15 each.
Awareness is a key focus for the organization year-round, with EAN leaders emphasizing the importance of reducing stigma and improving understanding of the condition.
In addition to educational efforts, EAN hosts support groups throughout Central and Northwest Illinois and online.
Locally, meetings take place on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Moline Public Library. There are also virtual sessions available the fourth Tuesday at 3 p.m. You can join the Zoom meetings here.
You can also call 815-846-0881 or click here to find the nearest epilepsy coordinator.
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