The Hoover-based Epilepsy Foundation Alabama will host the 2022 Walk to End Epilepsy at Birmingham’s Railroad Park on Saturday, November 5th.
Registration for the 1-mile walk will begin at 10 a.m. and a short pre-walk program will begin at 11 a.m., said Sarah Franklin, regional director of the Epilepsy Foundation.
Participation in the walk is free, but organizers ask attendees to find a person or business to sponsor with a donation.
The Epilepsy Foundation will use the proceeds to raise awareness about epilepsy, fund research and training programs in seizure recognition and first aid, and improve access to specialized care and supportive care for people with epilepsy. To do.
About 800 people attended last year’s Birmingham Walk, which raised about $130,000, including corporate sponsors, Franklin said. His goal this year is $75,000.
This year’s walk will also be used as time to celebrate the Seizure Safe Schools Act, which was passed by the Alabama legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey in the spring of 2021 and went into effect this school year.
This law allows nonmedical school personnel trained to administer nasal antiepileptic drugs in emergencies when school nurses are not on campus.This law was passed several years ago. Franklin said the law is similar to the current law, which allows trained personnel to administer epinephrine and insulin to students in schools during emergencies.
There are about 7,500 epileptic students in Alabama schools, and the new law could help save lives in the event of a severe epileptic seizure, Franklin said.
To sign up for the 2022 Birmingham Walk to End Epilepsy, or for more information visit walktoendepilepsy.org/Birmingham.
end epilepsy by walking
WHERE: railroad park
When: Saturday, November 5th, 10am
