Staff go purple to raise funds for epilepsy charity

Neuroscience staff at the John Radcliffe Hospital are wearing one item of purple clothing for international epilepsy awareness day (Purple Day, 26 March 2018), to help raise funds for a local charity.

SUDEP Action, based in Wantage, is dedicated to raising awareness of epilepsy risks and tackling epilepsy deaths including Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy.  They offer both practical and emotional support for families bereaved by epilepsy.

Dr Arjune Sen, Consultant Neurologist and the Head of the Epilepsy Research Group, said: "As many as one in 20 people will have a seizure at some stage in their life.  Some people feel they need to conceal their epilepsy as, even now, there can be a stigma attached to seizures.

"Both the Trust and SUDEP Action really want to dispel that myth, especially as many patients with epilepsy can be seizure-free with the right medication. Here at the Trust, we are investigating further advancements in epilepsy treatment, especially in autoimmune epilepsy and epilepsy in older people. We will always work towards maximising the potential of people with epilepsy."

Jane Hanna OBE, CEO at SUDEP Action, said: "We're so pleased to be working with the Trust to raise money for our services.  Treatment for epilepsy is advancing all the time, but it can still result in serious head injuries and sadly death, and it's essential to support families who have been affected by a sudden epilepsy death.

"We're really grateful to Oxford University Hospitals for their support and will continue to work towards reducing the stigma around epilepsy and helping those who need it most."

Neurology services are based in the West Wing at the John Radcliffe Hospital, and the team have extensive experience in areas such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, and dementia. The team provide specialist care to people in the Thames Valley, and patients also come from surrounding areas like Swindon and Northamptonshire to receive treatment.