As many of our volunteers, supporters and members will know, October 16th marked SUDEP Action Day.
SUDEP Action Day is one of the most important days in our annual calendar as we raise awareness of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy and what can be done to mitigate the risks of SUDEP. It is also an important day to remember those who have passed away due to SUDEP and other epilepsy-related deaths.
This year’s SUDEP Action Day had significant national media coverage due to an Epilepsy Ireland supported study confirming the incidence of SUDEP in Ireland for the first time – with media coverage across RTÉ News and Radio – with Epilepsy Ireland also writing to the Minister for Health calling for a National Strategy to reduce SUDEP and epilepsy-related deaths. You can read more about all of this by visiting the ‘News’ section of our website.
In the lead up to SUDEP Action Day, Epilepsy Ireland also contacted all members of the Oireachtas sharing information about SUDEP and our new campaign. This was shared by elected representatives across the country and something which may have been missed, was SUDEP Action Day and our new campaign being raised in the Seanad on the morning of SUDEP Action Day. You can watch the contributions of several Senators on this in the video below.
We will continue to pursue this new campaign in the days, weeks and months ahead and will provide further updates on our website and social media channels. To learn more, visit the ‘National Strategy to reduce Epilepsy-Related deaths’ page on our website.
To learn more about SUDEP, visit the ‘SUDEP’ page on our website. If you need any information or support around your or a loved one's epilepsy, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your local Community Resource Officer. You can find their details by visiting the 'Our Local Services' section of our website.