What's New in Central & South Texas???

Celebrating the New Americans with Disabilities Act

Sep 16, 2008: We are very happy to report that the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Amendments Act of 2008 was unanimously passed by the Senate last week. Click here for full story!

2008 Family Picnic--Oct 18, @ Walker Ranch Park!

Make plans now to join us at the 3rd Annual Picnic In The Park!! This family fun event will be held on Oct 18 @ Walker Ranch Park.Click here for event details and registration.

And The Winner Is..... CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RAFFLE WINNERS!!

1st Prize Winner!! Ms. Della Martinez of McAllen Texas won a $2,500 MasterCard® Gift Card & 2 SW Airline R/Trip Tickets!The winning ticket was sold by Ms. Anna Amos, Secretary of the EFCST Board of Directors! Della is Anna's sister in-law and has been a LONG TIME supporter of EFCST... Anna's son Joaquin has epilepsy and Della is fully aware of how challenging life can be for children and people with epilepsy. Della has not yet decided how she will spend her new fortune or where she will be traveling!

2nd Place Winner!! Ms. Brandi Howard of San Antonio Texas won a $1,500 MasterCard® GiftCard!! The winning ticket was sold by Ms. Crystal Zamora, Treasurer of the EFCST Board of Directors! Brandi is a co-worker of Crystal's, and LONG time supporter of EFCST! Crystal & Brandi work at Fisher, Herbst & Kemble (FHK). FHK is a generous supporter to EFCST! Brandi is still pondering how she will spend all that moolah!!

3rd Prize Winner!! Ms. Leah Lawson of Converse Texas won a $1,000 MasterCard® Gift Card!! When we asked Leah what motivated her to purchase the Raffle Tickets, she said "I will do anything to support the Epilepsy Foundation!" Leah is the grandmother of 7 children, two of which have epilepsy. Less than a week after her youngest grandson (4 years old) was diagnosed with epilepsy her co-worker (Lynda Takao) mentioned the Epilepsy Foundation Raffle. Leah asked her ifshe could buy some tickets as she really felt moved to support such a worthy cause. So she bought 3 tickets and didn't think about it anymore until Ryan Takao called with the news that she was the 3rd place winner!! When asked what she will do with the $1,000.00 Gift Card, she replied "My husband and I are leaving for vacation next week and the extra money from that prize will be so nice! But the real winners are all the people who benefit from the good work provided by your Foundation. Thanks for all of your work!" Side Note: This is the 2nd Winning Raffle Ticket sold by Ryan Takao...husband of our Board President, Cari Takao!! Thanks Ryan for all your hard work and effort selling Raffle Tickets!!

Thanks to EVERYONE who sold raffle tickets and helped us raise nearly $14,000!!

A special THANK YOU to Mr. Neal Shaver Raffle King--for selling 380 Tickets! Neal sold more than 1/2 of the total tickets sold!! Thanks so much Mr. Neal!!

Fleming's 2nd Annual Drive Fore The Cure Golf Tournament!!!

• The 2nd Annual Drive Fore The Cure Golf Tourney was held on Sep 12, 2008 @ SilverHorn Golf Club!! Lots of fun was had by all while raising moneyfor EFCST! We even had a hole in 1!!! BIG thanks to Mr. Mark Knezeak and our Title Sponsor Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar!!Special thank you to Mr. Barry Biggs, Golf Tourney Chairman, and to his committee for putting together an awesome event!! Thank You to you all our wonderful donors and sponsors, who contributed to the Drive Fore The Cure!!Please click here for the 2008 Drive Fore The Cure Photo Gallery!!

Do you have a story to tell us?

Has your prescription ever been changed from brand name to generic or from one generic manufacturer to another without your knowledge?

• Has your medicine ever looked different when you picked it up? (Different color, shape, size, etc)

• Did the pharmacist tell you that it was exactly the same as what you had received before?

• Did you have an adverse reaction due to your medication being “changed”?

• Has your school-aged child been prescribed Diastat?

• If your answer is YES to any of these questions, we want to hear from you!! Please email: staff@efcst.org and tell us your story!

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Epilepsy Foundation of Central and South Texas

Epilepsy is one of the major health problems of our nation. More than 3 million Americans have epilepsy/seizure disorders, yet it remains one of our most misunderstood and unknown health issues. About half of the people with epilepsy have continuing seizures even with treatment. Many face problems in educational attainment, employment, transportation, and social interactions.The Epilepsy Foundation is a not-for-profit human service agency addressing the needs of persons and their families affected by epilepsy, seizure disorder, and related disabilities including traumatic and acquired brain injury, stroke, and developmental disability. The Foundation serves individuals and families without regard to race, color, sex, age, or national origin.

We are a non-profit, charitable agency, designated as a 501 (c) 3 organization by the Internal Revenue Service. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible as allowed by law.The Epilepsy Foundation of Central & South Texas is an affiliate of the Epilepsy Foundation National Office, located in Landover, Maryland.

Our Mission

"Serving the Needs of People Affected by Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders"

The Epilepsy Foundation of Central & South Texas is a voluntary health organization. We value all people with epilepsy. We commit our resources to empowering their independence and inspiring productive lives.

The Epilepsy Foundation of Central & South Texas (EFCST) was founded in 1994 to improve the quality of life of the over 119,000 adults and children with epilepsy and/or seizure disorders in the 79 counties of Central and South Texas. EFCST was created to put an end to themyths and misunderstandingsabout epilepsy while helping individuals with epilepsy to improve their quality of life and the opportunity to participate in all life experiences.

Since EFCST was founded, thousands of people with epilepsy and their families have received information or have benefited from the comprehensive medical, educational, and social, services offered by EFCST. Epilepsy affects all aspects of a person's life. Learning to cope with and manage epilepsy takes a coordinated effort by family, friends, teachers, and managers in the workplace. All the Foundation's programs are designed to help people reach their full potential and enhance their sense of self worth.

EFCST staff provides a wide variety of services to persons with epilepsy, their families and the community. At the Epilepsy Foundation, one of our primary goals is to provide accessible, current information about epilepsy/seizure disorders to individuals with epilepsy, parents, family members and friends. We also provide information about epilepsy to professionals in the community through our in-service training programs. Our professionally trained staff is available to answer questions about epilepsy and its related concerns.

Explore our site to learn about our Programs and Services-- and find out how you can make a difference.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy  sometimes called a seizure disorder, or (SEIZURES) is a chronic unpredictable neurological condition characterized by intermittent electrical and chemical disturbances in the brain that cause seizures which affect awareness, movement, or sensation. Epilepsy is the most prevalent serious neurological disorder of childhood, and second only to stroke as a condition that can strike at any stage of life.

Epilepsy is not contagious.
Epilepsy is not mental illness.
Epilepsy is not mental retardation.

Who has Epilepsy?

Epilepsy does not discriminate. It can affect children, adults, seniors, men and woman, people of all races, religions, ethnic backgrounds, and social classes at any time.

• 2.7 million people in the U.S. have Epilepsy. That's 1 in every 100 people. 1 in 10 people will experience a seizure at some point in their lives.
• 50% of all new cases occur before the age of 25.
• Three in 100 people will develop Epilepsy by the age of 75.
• Every hour 20 Americans are diagnosed as having Epilepsy and 181,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.

Did You Know?

• Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder behind stroke and Alzheimer's disease.
• In 70% of cases the cause is unknown.
• More people have seizure disorders (Epilepsy) than Parkinson's Disease, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophy combined! Yet, none of these well-known diseases carry the powerful stigma associated with Epilepsy.
• Surveys of people with epilepsy show that their greatest concerns are societal expectations (stigma, discrimination, negative attitudes) coupled with issues of transportation, unemployment, and health & safety concerns.
• Many people still believe that you should place something in the mouth of someone having a seizure.

Help Us Keep In Touch With You!

The Epilepsy Foundation of Central & South Texas & the National Epilepsy Foundation sends both electronic and "snail mail" mailings to provide updates on epilepsy research, Foundation activities, and other news. To make sure you do not miss any news, please login or create an account to sign up for our newsletter & e-Newsletter mailings.

How to Contact Us

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm

Address:
10615 Perrin Beitel Road, Suite 602
San Antonio, Texas 78217
Phone: (210) 653-5353
Toll Free: (888) 606-5353 (toll free only from 79 county service area)
Fax: (210) 653-5355
E-mail: staff@efcst.org

Driving Directions

From Loop 410 the Epilepsy Foundation is located North of the Main Post Office at Perrin Beitel & Wurzbach Parkway. We are in the Perrin Oaks Garden Office complex. Download driving directions from your area to our office on yahoo maps.

Thank you for visiting!

We try to update our site regularly and hope you will save our web site as a "favorite place" to return to often whether you need assistance for yourself or a loved one. Your contribution of financial support will help us help others.

The Epilepsy Foundation of Central & South Texas is a Community Health Charities Member Agency.

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