Watch and support our BBC Lifeline Appeal today
Learn about our amazing work which is helping to transform the lives of people with epilepsy
630,000 people in the UK live with seizures and around 21 die every week. Our goal is to improve treatments and reduce the number of epilepsy deaths by half in the next 10 years.
We are thrilled to announce our BBC Lifeline Appeal
Watch our Lifeline appeal now on BBC iPlayer.
Our BBC Lifeline Appeal, presented by DJ and broadcaster, Edith Bowman, shares the stories of incredible people whose lives have been impacted by epilepsy. And the heartbreak of one family who lost their beautiful daughter and sister to epilepsy. Please watch and donate so you can support us in transforming the lives of people affected by epilepsy through our world-leading research, advocacy, and care.
Also watch on BBC iPlayer from 30th June - 21st July.
Edith
Hello, I’m Edith Bowman and I feel very privileged to be presenting this Lifeline appeal for the Epilepsy Society. Epilepsy is a cause that I have a personal connection with - I had epilepsy as a child so I know what is feels like to have that constant fear of seizures. I also know how important it is to have a charity like the Epilepsy Society to turn to for help and also support through their dedicated Helpline and even more importantly, for the hope they offer through their amazing research.
Scientists at the charity work tirelessly to understand more about epilepsy and how it can be treated. They are determined to understand why, for some people, seizures can lead to sudden death. But they can’t do it without your help. Please watch our film and donate to this incredible cause. It could literally save a life. Thank you.
Kirsty
Kirsty has had epilepsy since she was six years old. She has six different seizure types and despite undergoing brain surgery, her seizures are uncontrolled. Kirsty’s youngest son, Corbyn, 13, also has epilepsy and her older son, Kirtys, 15, is being investigated for the condition.
She is being treated at the Epilepsy Society’s Chalfont Centre where she feels she receives the very best medical care available. She has taken part in research trials to explore different treatments. And she has been grateful to have been able to turn to the charity’s Helpline when she has been at her lowest points.
Evan
GB judo fighter, Evan Molloy, has been visually impaired since birth but also started having seizures at the age of four. At 13, his seizures became significantly worse. He was in and out of hospital, couldn’t sleep and was exhausted. Evan found himself in a dark place.
It was only when he was referred to the Epilepsy Society’s Chalfont Centre that things began to change. Epilepsy experts were able to pinpoint the part of his brain where the seizures were coming from. And they were able to prescribe the right type of medication for his seizure type. They also helped him to see how he could help himself through better sleep and nutrition.
Hamish and Debbie
Hamish and Debbie do not want any other family to go through the pain and heartbreak that they have experienced. Just days before Christmas in 2018, their beautiful daughter, Amelia was found dead by her sisters Lily and Kitty.
At 21, Amelia had died of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
Since losing Amelia, Hamish and Debbie have dedicated themselves to raising funds for research at the Epilepsy Society into why, for some people, seizures prove fatal. They also want to raise awareness of the risk of this tragic outcome. They can’t bring Amelia back, says Debbie, but they can try to make a difference in the future and stop other families suffering as they have.