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Recognizing November 2012 as Epilepsy Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, Epilepsy afflicts 65 million people around the world, including 300,000 children under the age of 15 and 2 million individuals in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder and 1 in 26 Americans will develop Epilepsy at some point in their respective lifetimes. However, many more are significantly impacted by epilepsy in their daily lives when you include family members, caregivers, and friends in the total; and
WHEREAS, Between 4 and 10 out of 1,000 people in the world live with active seizures. The estimated annual cost of medical costs and lost or reduced earnings and production totals $15.5 billion; and
WHEREAS, One third of those suffering from Epilepsy live with uncontrollable seizures due to a lack of treatment. Approximately 50,000 people die from Epilepsy-related causes in the United States each year; and
WHEREAS, The Epilepsy Foundation Eastern Pennsylvania, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation, was founded in 1972 under the name The Epilepsy Foundation of Philadelphia. The name was revised to reflect the organization's broader service area of northeastern Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, The Epilepsy Foundation Eastern Pennsylvania estimates that 25,350 Philadelphians and 109,000 individuals in eastern Pennsylvania are living with Epilepsy; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation Eastern Pennsylvania is to lead the fight to stop seizures, find a cure and overcome challenges created by Epilepsy. They choose to fulfill that mission by meeting the non-medical needs for people affected by Epilepsy and seizure disorders to enhance their lives and build supportive communities; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia, Voices its support to increase public awareness about Epilepsy, improve the quality of life and empower those who are affected by Epilepsy and their caregivers.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, That November 2012 is recognized as Epilepsy Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.
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