Epilepsy Foundation's week of activities to be held to raise awareness of epilepsy and seizures

NBC Star Briefs Congress and Leads National Walk for Epilepsy

More than 5,000 people are expected to participate in the Epilepsy Foundation's week of activities March 23 through 27 to raise public awareness of epilepsy and seizures, increase funding for programs and research, and empower people with epilepsy to become advocates for better health care. Events include a Kids Speak Up! national conference, congressional meetings and the National Walk for Epilepsy led by Hollywood favorite Greg Grunberg and NFL stars Alan Faneca of the New Jets, Jason Snelling of the Atlanta Falcons and Geoffrey Pope of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Kids Speak Up! conference kicks off the week at the Washington Plaza Hotel. The conference unites youth between the ages of 8-17 from across the country to become advocates for the nearly 3 million people living with epilepsy in the United States. The participants and their families will learn the latest in epilepsy research and meet with their congressional representatives to share their personal stories about the challenges of living with seizures.

On Thursday, March 25, Greg Grunberg, star of NBC's hit show Heroes, will host a congressional briefing to highlight the need to increase support of epilepsy research and improve public awareness of the condition. Grunberg, an Epilepsy Foundation spokesperson, serves in honor of his son, Jake, who has epilepsy.

On Saturday, March 27, thousands of people will rally on the National Mall for the National Walk for Epilepsy. Leading the Walk will be Grunberg and New York Jets offensive lineman and nine-time Pro Bowl player, Alan Faneca, who will walk with his family because he and his daughter have epilepsy. Also participating is Atlanta Falcons running back Jason Snelling, who was diagnosed with epilepsy as a teen and Geoffrey Pope, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback, who will lead a team in honor of his grandmother who experiences seizures.