Philly Area Epilepsy Advocates: Don’t Miss Mardi Gras

Each year the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania puts on a fantastic Gala with a Mardi Gras theme. This year the event will be held on Friday, February 8, 2013 at the Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia.

The festivities, will begin with a cocktail reception at 7 pm, followed by a 3-course creole style dinner and dancing. The event is a black-tie fundraiser with a New Orleans flair including beads, masks and great music by Tribeca Grand. The event benefits the EFEPA’s free programs and services.

Each year EFEPA honors one person as the King or Queen of the event. This years’ honoree is Jim Connolly, former President and CEO of Aeras. Mr. Connolly has held many positions in the pharmaceutical industry including EVP  and GM of Wyeth Vaccines; and President and Managing Director of Wyeth Canada. Mr. Connolly has a personal connection to the cause and along with his family, he has become a major epilepsy advocate.

This year, the EFEPA will also be recognizing epilepsy advocates with several awards. The Charley and Peggy Roach Founders Award will go to Madeleine Keehn, for her longtime commitment and volunteerism to the Foundation.  We will also be awarding the Eric Burton Osberg Award to Dr. Joyce Liporace, who has spent years as an epileptologist and is the Director of Women’s Health & Epilepsy Programs and Riddle Hospital.

In conjunction with the 6th Annual Mardi Gras Gala, the Epilepsy Foundation Eastern PA will be hosting a Young Professionals Mardi Gras Gala for ages of 21-30 from 9pm – 12a. Reduced ticket price includes open bar, live music, dancing, and small bites! There will also be a great Silent Auction with some great prizes including a trip to Vegas.

If you have questions please don’t hesitate to contact Julia Greenberger at (215) 629-5003 x107 or development@efepa.org.

Jessica K. Smith Founder and CEO; Executive Director

Jessica Keenan Smith is a patient advocate and epilepsy community leader with more than 15 years of experience. As Founder and CEO of Living Well With Epilepsy and Executive Director of ASENT she bridges the gap between the scientific and patient communities, with a particular focus on the needs of the epilepsies. Jessica Keenan Smith is Founder and CEO of Living Well With Epilepsy, an award winning online resource for people affected by epilepsy to share stories and access in-depth information on the disease. Since 2009, Living Well With Epilepsy (https://livingwellwithepilepsy.com) has been featured in Forbes, Wired, NBC, NPR and the cover story of Epilepsy Advocate Magazine and has partnered with companies such as UCB, Lundbeck, Sunovion, Eisai, and more. Ms. Smith is also the Executive Director of the American Society for Experimental Neurotherapeutics (ASENT) (https://asent.org), an organization that brings together leaders from industry, academia, government and advocacy who are engaged in bringing drugs and devices to market across all neurologic disease states. In this role she is responsible for leading a successful scientific journal and annual scientific conference with speakers from all over the world.

See Full Bio

Epilepsy