Nevada Youth Named National Epilepsy Spokesperson

Jesse Buchanan to Visit Washington, D.C., and Meet with Elected
Officials



WASHINGTON, March 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Jesse Buchanan of
Gardnerville, Nev., will travel to Washington, D.C., this April 1 to meet
with congressional leaders and gain their support for restoration of the
Americans with Disabilities Act, support for epilepsy public health
programs and more research toward a cure for epilepsy.



Buchanan, 13, is one of 50 young people with epilepsy participating in
Kids Speak Up!, a national program coordinated by the Epilepsy Foundation
with support from Abbott. The program rallies young ambassadors with
epilepsy between the ages of 7 and 16 to advocate for the more than 3
million Americans living with the condition.



"Jesse was selected to participate in Kids Speak Up! to represent the
approximately 350,000 children under the age of 17 who are affected by the
condition. He is an ideal candidate because of his desire to achieve his
goals despite his challenges. Jesse's courage is an inspiration to us all,"
said Eric R. Hargis, President and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation.



This year's participants are a diverse group ranging from those with
controlled seizures to those who are massively affected by their epilepsy.
Despite their individual challenges, the kids enjoy doing ordinary things,
so when they come to D.C., besides meeting with their leaders, they will be
treated to a magic show featuring award-winning magician Bradley Fields and
meet Mighty Mike Simmel, an entertainment basketball player of the world
famous Harlem Wizards. Simmel, who also has epilepsy, inspires young people
to follow their dreams despite their obstacles.



Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in children and each
year approximately 45,000 children under age 17 are diagnosed with the
disorder. Despite modern therapy, about one million people in the U.S.
continue to experience seizures or significant side effects from treatment
for their epilepsy.



About the Epilepsy Foundation

The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with affiliated
organizations throughout the United States, has led the fight against
epilepsy since 1968. The Foundation's goals are to ensure that people with
seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and prevent,
control and cure epilepsy through services, education, advocacy and
research, so not another moment is lost to seizures. For additional
information, please visit http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org.



About Abbott

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the
discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and
medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The
company employs more than 60,000 people and markets its products in more
than 130 countries.













See Also

• Fort Wainwright Youth Named National Epilepsy Spokesperson
• Vion Pharmaceuticals to Host Conference Call to Discuss 2007 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Financial Results
• Arkansas Youth Named National Epilepsy Spokesperson
• Rhode Island Youth Named National Epilepsy Spokesperson

Via: Healthcare