News

Walk 2020 2

In partnership with the Durham Community Foundation's Walk for Your Cause join us for our annual walk for epilepsy. This year, our walk will look a little different than usual. Choose any time between October 18th and October 25th to take part in your own virtual walk, send us your photos, and join us for the Durham Community Foundation’s Live Facebook event on October 25th. Looking to turn it into a fundraiser? Download our pledge form bellow or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an online donation option.

When: Sunday October 18th - Sunday October 25th

Where: At your favourite location ( remember to social distance)

Download Pledge Form Here

At the age of 8 months Colton started having seizures and often they were status seizures lasting around 20 minutes. By the time Colton was 2 years old he had over 1000 seizures and was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome. Dravet Syndrome is a rare genetic form of epilepsy which results in prolonged seizures, multiple seizure types, global development delay and other conditions.

Once receiving the diagnosis we started him on the medical Ketogenic diet that quickly helped with seizure control and eliminated the long seizures. The diet involves appointments to Sick Kids to make sure Colton is staying healthy and make adjustments.To this day Colton continues to have seizures, however, this doesn't hold his family back from enjoying life.Colton recently celebrated his 9th birthday, and is a very happy boy. He plays baseball for the Durham Challengers, enjoys traveling and puzzles.

Although it has been a long journey with some very difficult days, our family continues to stay strong and make the most of each seizure free day Colton has.

Epilepsy Durham Region is pleased to announce that we are one of the recipients of the Starbucks Foundation's Neighbourhood Grants program. Neighbourhood Grants are intended to help build sustained local impact and inspire increased partner volunteerism with nonprofit organizations that work in our communities.

The very special part about this grant is that we were nominated by an amazing young woman in our community, Christine. Christine not only shared her personal experiences, but also highlighted the support we have provided to a young girl that she used to babysit as a child (you may recognize this young girl as one of our youth ambassadors, Abbie). Please read some of her kind words from her nomination below:

Christine Abbie "Epilepsy Durham Regionhelps those in need. With epilepsy, many people cannot obtain a driver’s license so they will help those people get to appointments or help with the other needs within the community. They also provide mental and emotional support and offer a wide variety of options to help provide knowledge to those with epilepsy as well as those who may know people suffering from this illness.

They are always in the community trying to help and I would love to be able to help them like they have been able to help me and others who are close to me. As an epileptic myself, it is inspiring knowing that there are people around who care and support those who are struggling with this disease. I have watched them help a beautiful little girl with epilepsy as well as a learning disability who has been bullied into a strong girl who cares about everyone and isn’t afraid to be anyone but who she is. If they can do that for one little girl, I can only imagine what else they can do and what this grant would mean for them."

It is through the kindness of people like Christine that we are inspired and capable of supporting the 1 in 100 individuals in Durham Region that are living with Epilepsy. Thank you Christine for your thoughtfulness and recognition, and thank you to the Starbucks Canada Charitable Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation, for your generosity in giving back to our communities at a local level.

Alongside its Community Epilepsy Agency partners across the province, Epilepsy Ontario now has an online 50/50 raffle to support programs and services across the province, including Durham Region!

Proceeds from this online 50/50 raffle will help provide education, advocacy, information and support services to the almost 95,000 people living with epilepsy and their families in Ontario.

LEARN MORE AND BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

Medium Header

Please help us by purchasing your tickets here. This province-wide online 50/50 raffle will take place year long, with monthly draws on the last day of each month! Join us each month, and take a chance for epilepsy!

Email Header EDR Generic

MESSAGE FROM BOARD

Epilepsy Durham Region Announces New Executive Director

Whitby – May 25, 2020 – It is with great pleasure that the Epilepsy Durham Region (EDR) Board of Directors announces the appointment of Chelsea Kerstens as the new Executive Director. Epilepsy Durham Region is a registered non-profit providing tailored support to strengthen individuals and their families’ ability to manage the physical, psychological and social effects of epilepsy.

Ms. Kerstens joined EDR in 2014 as the Community Outreach Associate bringing along significant experience in all client services, including epilepsy programming, advocacy, system navigation & client relations to the role of Executive Director. She is incredibly passionate about our agency’s cause, mission and values as well as the individuals and the families that we serve.

Epilepsy Durham Region will continue to adapt and transform how we deliver programs and services to ensure that we are able to provide the best support to all of our clients.

As EDR prepares to move into its next phase of growth, our Board of Directors ask that you join us in welcoming Ms. Kerstens into her new role as Executive Director effective immediately.

Cris Douglas

President | Epilepsy Durham Reigon

To connect with Chelsea, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.