New initiative launched to help save lives of epilepsy sufferers
It’s a condition which affects around 600,000 people in the UK, but a new study by Young Epilepsy finds that most of us wouldn’t know what to do if we saw someone having a seizure.
Perhaps more worryingly are the results showing that one in eight people would put a spoon or ruler into the persons mouth.
A 60 per cent of people did not realise it is possible to die from epilepsy, with around 1,000 epilepsy related deaths every year.
Around 42 per cent of these deaths are deemed to be avoidable, with lives being saved if people actually knew how to help.
Epilepsy causes sufferers to have seizures after a sudden and excessive burst of electrical activity occurs in the brain.
Fashion retailer River Island, is working with Young Epilepsy on the ‘Everyone Knows Someone’ awareness raising initiative.
During 11-17 February, online shoppers will receive a free wrist band with their orders and will be asked an epilepsy related question for the chance to win a shop-a-thon.
Chief Executive at Young Epilepsy, David Ford said: “A little knowledge goes a long way and ultimately can save a person’s life. Around 1000 people die each year from epilepsy – we hope that this campaign will help to reduce this number. Young Epilepsy aims to make more people aware of the simple things that they could do to support someone in the event of a seizure and it’s really great that River Island has got behind our work. With around 1 in 100 people living with epilepsy, the chances are you do know someone, but you might just not be aware of it. I’d encourage everyone to get involved and become more epilepsy aware.”