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WHEREAS, the month of November is declared National Epilepsy Awareness Month by the Epilepsy Foundation in order to raise awareness in the general public about epilepsy and seizures, fight stigma and ignorance, raise funds for epilepsy agencies and research in order to find a cure; and,
WHEREAS, 1 in 10 people will have a seizure in their lifetime and 1 in 26 will be diagnosed with epilepsy, which currently affects 2 million people in the United States and 65 million worldwide, and, even though it is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the U.S., epilepsy is among the least understood of major chronic medical conditions; and,
WHEREAS, delays in correctly diagnosing the condition increases the risk for having more seizures, growing disability, poorer quality of life and even death through SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy); and,
WHEREAS, the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Central PA (EFWCP), an independently incorporated affiliate of the Epilepsy Foundation National, was founded in 1972 with offices and staff in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Johnstown and offers programs and services to residents in 49 counties throughout western and central Pennsylvania to ensure an improved quality of life for those who face the challenges of this medical condition; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend the role that the Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central Pennsylvania is playing in raising awareness about Epilepsy in the City of Pittsburgh; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare the Month of November,2013 "Epilepsy Awareness Month" in the City of Pittsburgh.