Standing 4 Epilepsy

This November, Epilepsy Alliance Louisiana (EAL) invited the public to join a powerful evening of Seizure First Aid & Safety Training in honor of Epilepsy Awareness Month. Hosted at LSU's iconic Tiger Stadium in Lawton Room, this free event embodied the 2024 theme, Empowering Every Journey, a reflection of the organization’s dedication to supporting individuals and families impacted by epilepsy every step of the way.

Led by Dr. Yash Shah, a Pediatric Neurologist from Our Lady of the Lake Health, this training provided life-saving knowledge on how to respond safely to seizures. With 1 in 10 people likely to experience a seizure in their lifetime, knowing how to respond can make a profound difference.

Attendees heard from former LSU football player CJ Daniels, an epilepsy advocate and Vice President of Angels of Epilepsy, alongside his mother, Natalie Beavers—an epilepsy warrior and founder of Angels of Epilepsy. Daniels has been a passionate voice for epilepsy awareness, leading his teammates at LSU in a campaign to wear purple ribbons for Epilepsy Awareness Month. Together, CJ and Natalie shared their personal experiences, highlighting the resilience required to navigate the challenges of epilepsy and the importance of building informed and supportive communities.

This event marked a collaborative effort made possible through the support of LSU Athletics, Epilepsy Alliance Louisiana, Angels of Epilepsy, Our Lady of the Lake Health, and The NeuroMedical Center Clinic. Together, we committed to raising awareness and empowering individuals with the skills to help those affected by epilepsy.

Shelly Mullenix, LSU Athletics Senior Associate Athletics Director for Health & Wellness shared, “LSU Athletics is thrilled to support CJ Daniels and his mother by providing a platform to raise awareness and support our families, friends and neighbors impacted by epilepsy and seizure disorders. The health and safety of our student-athletes and greater LSU community are paramount to our success. We can all help by educating ourselves on how to respond when faced with a seizure emergency. LSU Athletics and our healthcare partners are proud of CJ’s dedication to this cause!”

November was Epilepsy Awareness Month, when we took time to rally support, spread awareness, and provide education on epilepsy and seizure response. LSU Athletics supported this opportunity for community involvement to help strengthen support for those impacted by epilepsy. Join us in making a difference—equip yourself with knowledge, raise awareness, and empower every journey.

Here is what you need to know about Epilepsy:

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder in the United States, affecting approximately 3 million adults and 470,000 children, meaning about 1.2% of the U.S. population lives with active epilepsy. In Louisiana alone, it is estimated that 54,000 individuals have epilepsy. Epilepsy is more common than Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson’s Disease, Muscular Dystrophy, and Multiple Sclerosis combined. These statistics underscore the critical need for organizations like EAL to provide essential support and resources to those affected by epilepsy in the state.