Harnessing the power of professional athletes, who wear helmets in their careers, to help erase the stigma associated with epilepsy.

CHICAGO and NEW YORK, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- November is Epilepsy Awareness Month. The Lennox Gastaut Syndrome Foundation (LGSF) and the American Epilepsy Outreach Foundation (AEOF) has joined with Eisai Pharmaceuticals and Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals to co-host the 1st Annual Helmets for Hope(TM) Campaign. The Helmets for Hope(TM) is an awareness campaign and fundraising event developed to raise awareness of severe epilepsy disorders, including those which are characterized by drop-attack (atonic) seizures. The Helmets for Hope(TM) Campaign launched on October 6, 2009 and will run until the grand finale celebration and fundraiser set for November 5th to be held at The Providence, 311 West 57th Street in New York City.

The Helmets for Hope(TM) is a campaign developed by the LGS Foundation to raise awareness of severe epilepsy disorders, including those which are characterized by drop attack seizures. One of the main objectives of the campaign includes gathering support from professional athletes who wear helmets in their careers, in an effort to help erase the stigma associated with children who are required to wear helmets in their daily lives. Other objectives of the campaign include raising funds for epilepsy research and programs to benefit families affected by catastrophic or severe forms of epilepsy.

Supporters include Mike Yam, ESPN, Michael Strahan (NY GIANTS), Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR), Marion Clinget (Olympic Cyclist), The Chicago Wolves, Greg Olsen (CHICAGO BEARS), Pat Fitzgerald (NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY), Rusty Greer (TEXAS RANGERS).

Objectives for Helmets for Hope(TM) include harnessing the power of professional athletes to help raise awareness and erase the stigma associated with children required to wear helmets in their daily lives. To encourage media to publish stories about LGS, epilepsy and atonic seizures. To gain the support of other epilepsy organizations to help us spread the word about this campaign. To distribute helmets to those individuals with epilepsy in need and to distribute information about the campaign to neurologists, caregivers, patients, and local communities across the U.S.

For tickets and information visit, www.epilepsyoutreach.org or www.lgsfoundation.org. Business/Business Casual attire.

SOURCE American Epilepsy Outreach Foundation