SUDEP Action Day

Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is when someone who has epilepsy suddenly and prematurely dies with no other cause of death being found. There are around 50 million people in the world who have this illness, which makes it one of the most common neurological diseases in the world.

Roughly 1% of people who have epilepsy pass away each year from SUDEP, which is why this event was started. It was decided that something needed to be done, and SUDEP Action Day began.

Awareness on its own is not enough, not when three people per day are dying with epilepsy-related cause of deaths in the UK alone. This is an international day that is supported by organizations all over the world, making it a globally backed event rather than a national one.

No matter where in the world they happen to be, epilepsy is a neurological condition that impacts a lot of people, so it is important that everyone is educated on the subject. But, action now needs to be taken as far too many people with this condition are dying without any other cause.

More research needs to be done, effective treatments need to be sought, and this can only happen if enough people stand up and demand it.

History SUDEP Action Day

SUDEP Action Day was renamed as such in 2017, previously being known as SUDEP Awareness Day. Before, the day was all about educating people on the topic, letting them know what it is, why it was an issue, and how it was impacting the people who have this neurological disorder. However, now, people are being asked to ACT instead of being aware. People are being asked to ask the hard questions, share any stories that they have in order to make some noise and also bring awareness to those who are not educated on the subject and take action by letting everyone know about this issue.

How to celebrate SUDEP Action Day

Take to social media, share leaflets, write to a local government, whatever can be done to support this cause is how to celebrate. Help people to understand the issue, why it is a problem, and what needs to be done in order to move forward and help keep those who have epilepsy safe from sudden and premature death.

More research needs to be done into this area, and making noise so that those in power have to listen is the goal of this event. SUDEP raises a lot of questions that need answering, and the public standing together is the only way that these answers are ever going to be revealed. Education starts at home, so once someone has the information about SUDEP, it can then be shared on to everyone else.

SUDEP is a problem and one that needs action to make a positive change. Take part in SUDEP Action Day and help bring about the change needed to keep those with epilepsy safe with the correct research needed in this area.