Guests:
Lisa Gallipoli, Executive Director, Epilepsy Alliance America
Liza Gundell, CEO, Epilepsy Services of New Jersey; Board Chair, Epilepsy Alliance America
Wendy Steele, Founder & Executive Director, Young Adults with Epilepsy

Interview by: Mark Oppenheim

• Epilepsy is more common than many realize. About 3.4 million people in the U.S. live with epilepsy, and 1 in 26 people will be diagnosed in their lifetime. Seizures vary widely, from convulsions to brief staring spells, underscoring the importance of public education and seizure response training.
• Epilepsy Alliance America fosters collaboration. Founded in 2018 by eight organizations, the Alliance supports 19 member groups nationwide, promoting knowledge-sharing and joint programs while respecting the diversity of local needs.
• Community support is vital. Organizations like Epilepsy Services of New Jersey (founded in 1970) provide respite care, employment services, recreation, and resources across all counties. Young Adults with Epilepsy, a newer organization, offers peer-to-peer support and workforce programs, empowering young people living with the condition.
• Donor choice drives impact. Contributions may go to national initiatives, local services, or targeted programs for young adults.
• The Alliance emphasizes collaboration over competition, ensuring that every gift helps strengthen the overall community.

Other Points on Epilepsy Alliance America:
Epilepsy is a spectrum condition: some have seizure control through medication, while others face daily challenges with multiple seizures. Each experience is unique.

The organization’s local and national partnerships help ensure families access services, advocacy, and awareness campaigns, such as the annual 1 in 26 Day, which takes place on January 26th to raise awareness on the statistics.

The Alliance works to reduce stigma, push for national policy change, and encourage inclusion in schools, workplaces, and communities.

Leaders stress that true progress requires listening to people with epilepsy, families, and funders, ensuring programs reflect lived experience and real needs.