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Nebraska Youth Named National Epilepsy Spokesperson

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sam Schmidt, 10, of La Vista, Neb., will travel to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness about epilepsy and how it affects the life of a child who experiences seizures. Schmidt will participate in the Epilepsy Foundation's annual Kids Speak Up! event from March 27 through March 29, and become a part of the democratic process to make a difference for the nearly 3 million people coping with the disorder.

Kids Speak Up! is a national program that rallies young ambassadors with epilepsy between the ages of 8 and 18 to become advocates in their local communities and in the nation's capital. Their mission is to personally petition congressional leaders for aid in assuring better access to care, improved public education and awareness about epilepsy and more research toward a cure.

As one of 43 Kids Speak Up! spokespersons, Schmidt will participate in a three-day training to learn more about epilepsy, develop his public speaking skills, and learn the importance of advocacy. The highlight of the trip will be a meeting with his state representative.

"Sam was selected to participate in Kids Speak Up! to represent the approximately 45,000 children under the age of 15 who develop epilepsy each year," said Rich Denness, president & CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. "He is an ideal candidate because of his efforts to spread awareness of epilepsy in his community. His courage is an inspiration to us all."

Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in children. It affects more than 326,000 children under the age of 15.

About the Epilepsy Foundation

The Epilepsy Foundation, a national nonprofit with affiliated organizations throughout the United States, has led the fight against epilepsy since 1968. The Foundation's mission is to stop seizures, find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy. For additional information, please visit www.epilepsyfoundation.org.

SOURCE Epilepsy Foundation