HR 518 — A Resolution recognizing the month of November 2026 as "National Epilepsy Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   3362

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



              HOUSE RESOLUTION
                 No. 518
                                                 Session of
                                                   2026

     INTRODUCED BY DIAMOND, HOGAN, HARKINS, STAATS, PICKETT, McNEILL,
        JAMES, VENKAT, ROWE, HANBIDGE, WALLEN, RIVERA, NEILSON,
        OLSOMMER, BENNINGHOFF, MERSKI, BOROWSKI AND ANDERSON,
        MAY 5, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MAY 6, 2026


                                  A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing the month of November 2026 as "National Epilepsy
 2      Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
 3         WHEREAS, Epilepsy is a neurological condition sometimes
 4   referred to as a seizure disorder and is characterized by
 5   recurring seizures; and
 6         WHEREAS, A seizure is usually defined as a sudden alteration
 7   of behavior due to a temporary change in electrical functioning
 8   of the brain; and
 9         WHEREAS, Normally, the brain continuously generates tiny
10   electrical impulses in an orderly pattern and these impulses
11   travel along neurons and throughout the whole body via chemical
12   messengers called neurotransmitters; and
13         WHEREAS, In epilepsy, the brain's electrical rhythms have a
14   tendency to become imbalanced, resulting in recurrent seizures;
15   and
16         WHEREAS, In patients with seizures, the normal electrical
17   pattern is disrupted by sudden and synchronized bursts of
 1   electrical energy that may briefly affect their consciousness,
 2   movements or sensations; and
 3         WHEREAS, As the fourth most common neurological disorder in
 4   the United States, following migraine, stroke and Alzheimer's
 5   disease, epilepsy affects 3.4 million Americans of all ages; and
 6         WHEREAS, Approximately 150,000 new cases of epilepsy are
 7   diagnosed each year, most often in young children and senior
 8   citizens; and
 9         WHEREAS, One in 26 people will develop epilepsy in his or her
10   lifetime; and
11         WHEREAS, Up to 50,000 Americans die each year from seizures
12   and related causes, including sudden unexplained death in
13   epilepsy; and
14         WHEREAS, The Epilepsy Association of Western and Central
15   Pennsylvania and the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania
16   lead the fight to stop seizures, find a cure and overcome the
17   challenges created by epilepsy; and
18         WHEREAS, The Epilepsy Association of Western and Central
19   Pennsylvania and the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania
20   are dedicated to ensuring that all people with seizures and
21   epilepsy are able to participate in all of life's experiences;
22   and
23         WHEREAS, The Epilepsy Association of Western and Central
24   Pennsylvania and the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania
25   have been serving the needs of Pennsylvanians who live with
26   seizures since 1972; and
27         WHEREAS, Misinformation and misperceptions regarding epilepsy
28   have a long history and are still prevalent throughout society
29   today; and
30         WHEREAS, Epilepsy education and awareness programs seek to

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1   combat stigma in the hope of improving the quality of life for
2   people with epilepsy; therefore be it
3      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
4   month of November 2026 as "National Epilepsy Awareness Month" in
5   Pennsylvania.




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