Is your school Thinking About Epilepsy?

The Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey (EFNJ) has been tackling the topic of epilepsy in schools all over the New Jersey. In fact, since 2007 the organization, in conjunction with the Anita Kaufmann Foundation, has educated over 20,000 fifth grade students on the topic of epilepsy using a program called Thinking About Epilepsy.

The 40 minute presentation, which is offered at NO COST, was created to increase awareness and to reduce stigma’s about epilepsy. In each presentation, the 5th graders are taught how to recognize different seizure types and provide the proper first aid.

“The presentation was informative, interactive, and well received by our students and staff. The students are now more comfortable with the topic of epilepsy.” – School Nurse Memorial School

If you are interested in arranging a presentation or have a connection with any school that may benefit from this program please call Jenna Andolora of the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey. You can reach her at 1-800-336-5843 or jandolora@efnj.com.

Thinking About Epilepsy is coming to the following schools in 2010. Is your school scheduled?

Immaculate Conception-Annandale
Washington School-N.Arlington
Hoover School-Begenfield
Cherry Street School-Bridgetown
Richard Butler School-Butler
Lakeview School-Denville
Academy School-Dover
East Dover-Dover
Nicholas S. LaCorte #3-Elizabeth
Gibbsboro School-Gibbsboro
Nehausey MS-Gibbstown
Alexander Sullivan School-Jersey City
Nicolaus Copernicus School-Jersey City
PS 29-Jersey City
Garfield School-Kearny
Soehl M.S-Linden
All Saints Regional Catholic-Manahawkin
Marlboro Elem. School-Marlboro
Upper Pittsgrove-Monroeville
Netcong Elem. School-Netcong
Walter M. Schirra- Old Bridge
Harmony Township School-Phillipsburg
East Dover Elem School-Toms River
Birches Elem School- Turnersville
Thomas Jefferson-Tunersville
Robert Waters School-Union City
Brookside Elem. School-Westwood

Does this sound like a program you would want to bring to your school? Let me know what you think about talking about epilepsy with kids.

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