Click on our Calendar above for upcoming events!
Information for Sinemet Users
There have been some recent announcements regarding Sinemet that our Parkinson's clients should be aware of. Please read about those changes here as well as about Merck Canada's Sinemet Patient Assistance Program.
Save the Date!
Our biennial conference on Parkinson's will take place on Saturday, April 14th and will feature J. Eric Ahlskog, Ph.D., M.D., Professor of Neurology at the Mayo Clinic, and Dr Matthew Farrer, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Neirogentics and Translational Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia. Watch for information in the new year!
VEPC Seeks New Board Members
Are you someone with epilepsy or Parkinson’s? Are you a friend or family member of someone with epilepsy or Parkinson’s? Do you have skills that could contribute to a nonprofit Board?
The Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre (VEPC) is a vibrant and welcoming non-profit society whose purpose is to strengthen clients’, families’ and communities’ ability to manage the physical, psychological and social effects of Parkinson’s and epilepsy. VEPC is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of people living with epilepsy or Parkinson’s and professionals with an interest in the two disorders. Board members are appointed for an initial one-year term followed by two-year terms. Each Board member is expected to serve on at least one Board committee. The Board of Directors provides overall direction for the organization and is responsible for ensuring VEPC’s programmatic and fiscal health and accountability.
VEPC is currently seeking new Board members. We are particularly interested in individuals with backgrounds in finance, fundraising, and public relations. We are seeking people with strong ties to the local community and an interest in epilepsy and/or Parkinson’s. Board members are typically selected by the current Board of Directors and approved by the General Membership at VEPC’s Annual General Meeting.
If you have knowledge and experience that will assist VEPC as it grows to meet the needs of growing populations of individuals with epilepsy and Parkinson’s in the Victoria Capital Regional District, we encourage you to apply to join VEPC’s Board of Directors by contacting us to request an application.
You can reach VEPC at (250) 475-6677, help@vepc.bc.ca, or visit our website at www.vepc.bc.ca
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Get Ready for Purple Day
Purple Day for Epilepsy (Purple Day) is held each year on March 26 and this year on March 24th you can join in and help with Victoria's first annual Plane Pull for Epilepsy. This one day event - the Viscount Air Plane Pull for Epilepsy - will see teams gather together to raise pledges in support of the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson's Centre Society (VEPC) and join in a fun and engaging day of competition and camaraderie at the Viscount Aero Centre, located near Victoria's International Airport.
Be a part of the fun of this first time event that will capture the attention, minds and hearts of the community and pull together for a great cause! See the website at www.victoriaplanepull.ca.
Class Action on Neurontin
Individuals with epilepsy who have taken Neurontin, should be aware of a Class Action law suit currently underway. Please read more here.
Epilepsy Program
Are you Newly Diagnosed with Epilepsy? Click here first!
What is EPILEPSY?
The word ‘epilepsy’ is a general term for more than 20 different types of seizure disorders. Seizures occur as a result of brief changes in the normal activity of brain cells. The extent of these changes, and their effect on the individual, can vary greatly. Epilepsy affects approximately 1 in every 100 Canadians, and begins most often in childhood or the senior years.
How can our agency help you?
If epilepsy is in your life, we can help! Our professional staff offer a wide variety of services to clients with epilepsy at all stages of the life cycle, from children to seniors, and their loved ones. These include the following:
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Confidential individualized consultations focusing on each client’s unique need for information, as well as on solutions for particular issues. Available in-person, via telephone at 475-6677, or our Epilepsy Information Desk.
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High quality educational magazine available to our members containing information about recent research developments and treatments, upcoming educational events, practical information on lifestyle management , employment and financial information, information on community resources and much more. For a free sample copy, contact us at 250-475-6677.
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Group educational and support opportunities, day and evening.
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Information packages and brochures for specific requests (ex: women’s issues, men’s issues, children’s issues, parents’ issues).
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Dr. Robert Mittan's Epilepsy Education Articles. These excellent articles provide much needed information about epilepsy diagnosis, treatment and management. Although written for parents of children, this material is applicable to everyone.
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Up-to-date lending library of books, videos and other educational resources
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Tailor-made public education in-services on epilepsy and seizure response, offered at no charge to teachers and students, health care providers, group homes, workplaces, law enforcement personnel, and community agencies.
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Bursaries for Further Education are offered through Camosun College.
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To help those who wish to search for information about epilepsy on the internet, we have provided links to a few popular epilepsy websites. Please feel welcome to contact our agency for further information and discussion.
