Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago

08/21/2026

It's Back to School time! There are steps that can be taken, such as submitting a Seizure Action Plan, to ensure that students living with epilepsy are learning in a safe and productive environment.

08/18/2026

One in two people is affected by a neurological disease or disorder (AAN). Epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease are both chronic neurological conditions that commonly affect older adults. Join us as we kick off our Fall Education Series on September 17th with a free webinar on the connection between epilepsy and Alzheimer’s. Our expert speakers will cover a variety of topics, including epilepsy and aging, Alzheimer’s, and simple habits you can adopt to support your brain health! To register visit https://bit.ly/4hHlrEE

08/14/2026

Last Saturday, we held the first of two art workshops in collaboration with the Hidden Truths Project. Our clients and their families came together to create a collaborative piece that will be featured in an upcoming art exhibition in the coming months.

Clients had the opportunity to explore different artistic techniques, share their experiences, and express themselves through creativity. We are looking forward to seeing you at our next Art Workshop on August 27! For more information, please contact Agatha at [email protected]

08/11/2026

Have you registered for the EFGC Rodeo 5K presented by Northwestern Medicine yet? We'll be at Cantigny Park in Wheaton on September 19th! Grab your hats and join in the fun! Register here: https://bit.ly/3SGxnMn

08/10/2026

Teens Speak Up! (TSU) is one of the Epilepsy Foundation of America’s signature advocacy initiatives, bringing together teens living with or impacted by epilepsy, family members, staff, healthcare providers, and volunteers from across the country to make a difference. 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 for issues vital to the epilepsy community. All teens interested in participating in the program must self-nominate! Teens must be living with epilepsy or siblings of a person with epilepsy between 13-17 years old who are interested in advocacy. Learn more about TSU, the process, and eligibility, as well as submit a self-nomination here: https://epilepsy.com/TSU. The deadline to self-nominate is Monday, August 31st.

08/07/2026

Thank You State Representative Bob Morgan for your support and commitment to the epilepsy community! Providing easier access to seizure detection devices will have a huge impact on those living with epilepsy and we are extremely grateful for your work.

This week, Governor JB Pritzker signed my bill, SB2762, into law, extending insurance coverage for life-saving seizure detection devices and capping patient costs at $50 per year.

With over 136,000 Illinois residents living with epilepsy, and many others who experience seizures, these devices provide peace of mind while taking a significant step toward preventing hospitalization.

As my colleagues and I continue working to make healthcare more accessible, I’ll keep fighting to ensure everyone has access to the care they need.

State Representative Camille Y. Lilly
Epilepsy Foundation of America Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago
The Danny Did Foundation

08/06/2026

Exciting news! The The National Plan for Epilepsy Act has officially passed the U.S. Senate, a major step toward improving epilepsy research, care, and public health for people living with epilepsy.

Our work is not done! Help move this legislation forward by urging your U.S. Representative to support and cosponsor the National Plan for Epilepsy Act. Take action here: https://bit.ly/NP4E.

08/05/2026

It's important that our environment is seizure safe. Seizures are not always emergencies, but the lack of proper first aid can create an emergency situation. Use our seizure first aid poster to help your workplace or school be prepared in the event of a seizure. It is available in several languages! Check them out here: https://bit.ly/4660j18

07/29/2026

Our Sibling Connections Clinical Workshop was a blast! Last Saturday, we led a fun and meaningful therapeutic workshop where siblings of children and teens with epilepsy connected, shared their experiences, built resilience, and learned healthy coping skills in a supportive environment.

Thank you to all the families who joined us! We can't wait for the next one!

07/24/2026

Here's why Arshia is running for EFGC's Bank of America Chicago Marathon team:

"My oldest daughter was in 2nd grade when all my phones started ringing at once. Alarmed, I quickly checked the voicemail when I felt blood draining from my face. “Your daughter is having a seizure,” is what I heard. I had 3 other younger children including a newborn at the time, and waves of panic when I finally arrived to see my daughter motionless, staring, and not responding to me. With the worst thoughts running through my head, since I had no family history of seizures, all I could do was wait. The seizure finally stopped after 20 long minutes and we moved through the next steps. Many months and years of failed medication dosages and trials to find the right combination put so much stress, anxiety, worry, panic, depression on the entire family, including my daughter, even though my job was to assure her that everything would be fine. Every time any child of ours went through 2nd grade, I'd start the day stiff, waiting for that phone call from school. I analyzed every strange movement, thought, neurological strangeness. But life threw another one and my 3rd daughter, in 5th grade, fell to the ground in front of us screaming that she was “dizzy.” I watched her diaphragm squeeze tight enough to make her lips turn blue and once again, all I could do was wait.

I applaud all the work and research going into the condition of epilepsy. I am hopeful that science and this foundation will come to breakthrough revolutions with fundraising and awareness. The medical and support staff who care for us are exceptional. Without them, as parents and family members, our lives would be in shambles."

Thank you Arshia for sharing your story. Your journey speaks volumes to all of those struggling with the challenges of epilepsy. Your strength and determination is inspiring and we are grateful to have you on our team. To read more about Arshia and to donate to her page, please visit https://bit.ly/4wh8kOR