Epilepsy Foundation Promotes Proper First Aid for Seizures

The Epilepsy Foundation has launched a series of public service announcements (PSAs) in an initiative to improve about seizure recognition and awareness of proper first aid. The basketball-themed TV spots will air on CBS’ Philadelphia and Chicago affiliates, and on the CW Atlanta affiliate, before and during the NCAA “March Madness” basketball tournament. 

The PSAs are one component of the Epilepsy Foundation’s #ShareMySeizure campaign, which features a young basketball player who has a seizure during a game. His coach and teammates come to his aid. The spots emphasize the “Stay, Safe, and Side” guideline for helping someone who is having a seizure: 

• Stay with the person and start timing the seizure
• Make sure they’re Safe
• Turn them on their Side to keep the airway open if they convulse or lose consciousness  

The #ShareMySeizure initiative, which is in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), includes digital and social media content featured on the Epilepsy Foundation channels, CBS local websites and newsletters, and CDC platforms. 

“The importance of public education about epilepsy and seizure first aid cannot be overstated,” said Philip M. Gattone, MEd, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. “It is critical that everyone knows seizure first aid to help people with epilepsy feel safer in their communities. All of us—from the youngest to the oldest—should be taught basic seizure first aid because it will help protect and save lives.”