The Epilepsy Centre

13/04/2026

UPDATE REGARDING THE SENATE INQUIRY INTO EPILEPSY IN AUSTRALIA.

A lot of people hear “submission” and think it sounds complicated.
It’s not. A submission is simply your experience — written down and shared.

It could be a page.
A few paragraphs.
Even just a short story.
What matters is that it’s real.

The Epilepsy Centre has created a FACT SHEET to support individuals with firsthand experience of epilepsy in making submissions to the inquiry.

We are also available to help with submission preparation and have SUBMISSION TEMPLATES ready upon request.

If you would like a copy of either the FACT SHEET OR SUBMISSION TEMPLATES (Submission template - person who lives with, cares for or interacts with a person who has epilepsy OR people living with epilepsy), please don't hesitate to reach out to us Email: enquiries@epilepsycentre.org.au.

Submissions close on 15 May 2026.

https://bit.ly/47gm2aq

02/04/2026

Please meet Randell, Emma and baby Ava from Berri.

Another beautiful family given full epilepsy awareness training and support as donating an Emfit Seizure Monitor and Breathable Pillow to keep little Ava safe.

Thank you for sharing your story and kind words. We are always here for you for continued support:

"Ava was born with severe Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) (level 3) at birth due to a placenta abruption in a country hospital and restricted of oxygen for 90 minutes. This then led to being transferred to Flinders Medical Centre (NICU) where she started her challenging journey for the first 7 weeks of her life here. Upon her arrival at Flinders, Ava was experiencing life threatening seizures where she was heavily medicated and still at present is on anti-seizure medication while constantly being monitored for any changes.

Mum and dad are home full time providing care for her and were referred to The Epilepsy Centre from the Neurology Team at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital to receive first aid training in the event that Ava experiences a seizure. We are planning to ween off of the seizure medication at age 12 months which we are extra vigilant on her health especially whilst she is asleep.

By receiving the potentially life saving Monitor, we have the peace of mind that even while Ava rests or we are asleep, she has a guardian angel always watching over her to make sure that she is safe. In the event that Ava experiences a seizure, we can provide first aid due to being alerted of her condition changing.

We also received an anti-suffocation pillow for her to use when she is old enough. This supports Ava’s rest without the risk of SIDS.

We are grateful for The Epilepsy Centre and the sponsors that contribute towards families like ours who otherwise won’t be able to afford lifesavings equipment!

Kind Regards,
Randell and Emma Smith "

FROM ALL OF US AT THE EPILEPSY CENTRE WE WISH ALL OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS A SAFE, HAPPY WONDERFUL EASTER.

31/03/2026

On the very last day of Epilepsy Awareness Month, please meet Darren. It's not easy to share a story with such sadness but Darren has risen above his own grief with the loss of his beautiful daughter Keeley last year at only 26 years young and pay it forward for others.

Darren, next year will be running from WA TO SA in a 2600km hike to raise money for The Epilepsy Centre for equipment that saves lives. We, The Epilepsy Centre encourage you to support Darren please when the time comes.

What an amazing resilient Man. A loss that many families in the E-Family community (too many recently) and to be frank SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

Darren will be taking on an almighty challenge from Perth to Adelaide next year raising funds for The Epilepsy Centre and we will keep you posted. Thank you for all your care during Epilepsy Awareness Month.

26/03/2026

A wrap for PURPLE DAY today but not before sharing the amazing words of Kat Cooper one of our biggest supporters from Mount Gambier, South Australa.

Ella is only 16 years old, beautiful talented girl that was diagnosed with Glut1 Syndrome a very rare form of epilepsy in 2015 and then diagnosed in 2019 with Jaevons Syndrome (eyelid myclonia with absences).

Kat has spoken at our functions, raised awareness in her community, fundraised to pay it forward to others with funds going towards Seizure Monitors and Breathable Pillows and providing free training in the Limecoast Community.

Thank you for everything you do, for paying it forward regardless of your own struggles for being brave and resilient for your daughter and we are truly thankful for everything that you do and are.

26/03/2026

THIS IS WHAT "PURPLE DAY" NATIONAL EPILEPSY DAY/AWARENESS MEANS TO THE EPILEPSY CENTRE SA & NT TEAM!

The ONLY Australian based Epilepsy Organisation that raises funds specifically for Emfit Seizure Monitors ($1200 each) and Breathable Pillows ($145 each) to keep children diagnosed with nocturnal epilepsy safe. We're so proud to say we donated over 450 Monitors and over 300 Pillows!

Meet these two amazing Parents Madi and Tim from Bellevue Heights who came to us this Tuesday for Epilepsy Awareness Training and Midazolam Training after their 3 year old beautiful daughter Hartly's diagnosis and in their words:-

"We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to The Epilepsy Centre for the incredible support you have provided our family following Hartly’s recent diagnosis. Navigating this new chapter has not been easy, but your guidance, care, and understanding have made a truly meaningful difference.

We are especially grateful for the bed alarm you have provided. Knowing that it can detect seizures and alert us when Hartly needs support brings us an immense sense of reassurance. It is already helping to restore a sense of normality in our home and allowing all of us to sleep more peacefully.

Your kindness and generosity have eased a very challenging time for our family, and we deeply appreciate everything you do for families like ours. Thank you for helping us feel supported, informed, and less alone.

Thanks again.
Madi and Tim"

TRAINING FOR FAMILIES COSTS NOTHING!
EPILEPSY AWARENESS IS EVERYTHING!
YOUR DONATION IS PAID FORWARD TO FAMILIES!

https://epilepsycentre.org.au/epilepsy-donations/

23/03/2026

As International Purple Day on 26 March 2026 approaches, Lou from South Australia, is passing the baton and sharing her 26 second message.

Help us spread awareness:
💜Share your story in just 26 seconds! Tell us your epilepsy experience, bust a myth, or share the most important message YOU want Australia to hear.
Create your post, tag The Epilepsy Centre, and help keep the baton moving across the country.

💜It’s not too late to donate and make a difference this Purple Day. Donate $26 to show your support for the 1 in 26 Australians who will be diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime.

Let’s make 2026 the year we amplify epilepsy awareness donate, share your message, and watch the baton travel across the country in support of the 266,000 Australians living with epilepsy.

https://purpleupfortheepilepsycentre.gofundraise.com.au/

/NT

22/03/2026

As International Purple Day on 26 March 2026 approaches, Lisa Todd from Central Coast, New South Wales is passing the baton and sharing her 26 second message.

Help us spread awareness:

💜Share your story in just 26 seconds! Tell us your epilepsy experience, bust a myth, or share the most important message YOU want Australia to hear.

Create your post, tag The Epilepsy Centre, and help keep the baton moving across the country.

💜It’s not too late to donate and make a difference this Purple Day. Donate $26 to show your support for the 1 in 26 Australians who will be diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime.

Let’s make 2026 the year we amplify epilepsy awareness donate, share your message, and watch the baton travel across the country in support of the 266,000 Australians living with epilepsy.

https://purpleupfortheepilepsycentre.gofundraise.com.au/

19/03/2026

Meet one of our Ambassadors Kym Meers OAM beautiful daughter Izla who has been part of The Epilepsy Centre since she was a little girl. Diagnosed with West Syndrome at only 3 Months of age. The family journey like so many with hurdles still to this day.

March, PURPLE UP EPILEPSY AWARENESS Month is about that, raising awareness, sharing your stories and understanding that you are not alone.
We are always here to support you.

Through March The Epilepsy Centre and Epilepsy Action Australia are passing the baton and are calling on all Australians to Purple Up and pass the baton for the 266,000 Australians living with epilepsy.

Tell us - in just 26 seconds! - your epilepsy story, an epilepsy myth buster, or the most important epilepsy message YOU want Australia to hear.

I asked Izla who lives every day with epilepsy and this was her response raw and honest and in her words!

“I am not interested in talking about my epilepsy for 26 seconds because I’m Over it!”😢

/NT