Epilepsy Durham Region is dedicated to promoting independence and optimal quality of life for children and adults living with Epilepsy and/or other seizure disorders and their families, through awareness, support, advocacy, and public education. We demonstrate this through facilitating programming such as the peer-to-peer support groups, in-school and workplace presentations, among other programs. As well as organizing various events to fundraise, educate and advocate throughout the year.

At Epilepsy Durham Region, we engage regularly with people who want to understand what epilepsy means and how it will affect them and their loved ones. As with all grassroots not-for-profit agencies, Epilepsy Durham Region’s (EDR) number one priority is to ensure that our clients’ needs are met. For us, this means helping individuals and their families to achieve and maintain optimal quality of life.

Our team of volunteers and staff are driven to provide a caring and safe environment and individualized help – strengthening our clients and their loved ones/caretaker’s ability to manage the physical, psychological and social effects of epilepsy. We are able to accomplish this through one-on-one counselling services, supplementation of the extraordinary cost of medication, referral to specialists that are currently not within Durham Region, aid in transportation costs associated with visiting specialists, programming and events, and public awareness and education. Raising awareness to eliminate myths and erase stigma is a key priority.

In addition, Epilepsy Durham Region plays a key role in advocacy and policy change at a provincial and national level. We strive to educate the community through presentations and various online resources, a lecture series and conference with specialized focuses and topics, among other programs and events. Our aspiration is to create social change and contribute to improvements in accessibility within the Durham Region community, as well as on a provincial and national level.

Values and Objectives

• Accountability to the public
• Efficient and cost-effective management
• Treating all persons with integrity and honesty
• Respect and diversity
• Co-ordinate community health education programs as required
• Heighten Awareness of programs and services available throughout the Region
• Ensure funding is available to support programming initiatives

Epilepsy Durham Region is a registered, non-for-profit, non-governmental agency incorporated in 1987 which receives no government or United Way funding; as such, we aim to engage with the community to develop and foster partnerships to ensure that our programs, services and resources are available to those most in need. The agency is governed by a Board of Directors composed of business leaders, professionals, and client representatives, who are elected by the membership at large at its annual general meeting.

Epilepsy Durham Region has extensive expertise in issues pertaining to system navigation within both healthcare and government support services, advocacy, and mental health issues. Utilizing a network of programs and services, our team provides support to individuals and their family to assist with the self-management of epilepsy, allowing them to become partners in their healthcare and manage their condition.

Our programming consists of one-to-one counselling, outreach education and awareness, employment support and peer to peer engagement. We also host various events including a lecture series and conference, golf tournament fundraiser, gala, walk for Epilepsy, and many more.

Epilepsy Durham Region strives to make a difference in the Durham Region community and facilitate education, advocacy, events and programming related to improving the overall wellbeing of individuals diagnosed with Epilepsy and other seizure disorders, and provide support to them and their families. We hope that through our efforts, we can contribute to increased accessibility and social change at a local, provincial, and national level.

At Epilepsy Durham Region, our success is driven by the dedication and expertise of both our staff and our governing body. Our team consists of compassionate professionals committed to delivering exceptional support and advocacy for those affected by epilepsy. Guided by a strong governance framework, our Board of Directors ensures that we maintain transparency, accountability, and strategic focus in all our activities. Together, we work in harmony to uphold the mission and vision of the organization, fostering a community that understands and supports individuals living with epilepsy.

Discover how you can be a part of our dynamic and impactful organization.Our Careers page provides information on current job openings and how you can contribute to our mission.