SCISSORS FOR SEIZURES - EPILEPSY AWARENESS FUNDRAISER - SUN., MAR. 28

Local Hair Salons Support Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton

OTTAWA – Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton (EOC), in partnership with the Professional Paramedics Association of Ottawa (PPAO) is hosting its fifth annual ‘Scissors for Seizures’ fundraiser on Sunday, March 28th, 2009, from noon to 4 p.m. Sponsored by local hair salons, this event provides (by donation) haircuts to members of the general public and all money raised is donated to EOC. No appointments are necessary - simply join us at one of the following locations on the afternoon of March 28:

Elite Image Hair and Spa: 4 Lorry Greenberg Drive, Unit 4

or

Hair Junkies: 200 Laurier Ave West

The ‘Scissors for Seizures’ concept was developed by Ann and Khoder Abdel-Hussein of Elite Image Hair and Spa. Ann and Khoder understand the struggles associated with epilepsy. Sadly, they lost their son Mousa, aged 18, to Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy Patients (SUDEP) in June 2004, just before his high school graduation. Since then, Ann and Khoder have been actively involved in raising money and awareness to support families who live with the challenges of epilepsy everyday.

Once again, along with their staff at Elite Image Hair and Spa and Fadi Assad and his staff at Hair Junkie, Ann and Khoder are donating their time and services to help raise money for Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton. “The generosity of my staff, our friends at Hair Junkies, our customers, families and friends in the community is truly inspirational and very much appreciated. It’s so great to see this event grow each year,” says Ann. All proceeds from this event go directly to raising awareness and to support the services of Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton, including the Mousa Abdel-Hussein Memorial Scholarship Award.

This year EOC is honoured to have the Professional Paramedics Association of Ottawa, PPAO on board as a partner for our event, helping us to raise awareness about seizure management and proper first aid procedures for seizures. We expect to have some Ottawa paramedics out getting their hair cut at the salons and as an added bonus, the public are welcome to take a guided tour of an ambulance as well!

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder which presents serious challenges to health, safety and self-esteem, especially in children, teens, and in all those with seriously disabling seizure disorders. Approximately 15,500 children, youth, adults and seniors in Ottawa and the rural areas served by EOC have epilepsy. Epilepsy also deeply affects the lives of their more than 30,000 family members in the region. Support, understanding and awareness for those living with the disorder are so important. Please join us in raising awareness of seizure safety and in fighting stigma – together we will make the Ottawa region a safe and supportive home for people with epilepsy and their families.

For over 23 years, Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton has been providing information, referral, peer support and social opportunities for those living with epilepsy in the Ottawa region. As well, we work to educate the public and to raise awareness about epilepsy.

For more information on epilepsy and/or Scissors for Seizures, please contact Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton:

T: (613) 594-9255

E-mail: info@epilepsyottawa.ca

www.epilepsyottawa.ca


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