Dear clients and friends of the Epilepsy Foundation,
I wanted to reach out during these difficult times to reassure our community that we are closely monitoring advice from health authorities regarding the impacts of coronavirus, or COVID-19.
I have been in regular contact with our staff, board and executive to ensure we are able to continue delivering services to our clients while also ensuring the safety and welfare of our staff and the wider community.
At this stage, we have resolved to cease all physical face-to-face training and support services. Training via video-conferencing will continue, and the helpline will continue to be staffed.
While the health and welfare of our community is the most important issue, the current situation will also have significant impacts on our fundraising and awareness efforts for Purple Day.
The Foundation will not be holding events of any size for the foreseeable future and we encourage all community members holding their own events to monitor advice from health authorities (https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert) and make decisions about events early.
We understand this is disappointing. A significant amount of hard work and dedication goes into every Purple Day, both from us here at the Foundation and from all of our supporters in the community.
If you have been affected by an event cancellation, there are some great alternatives to in-person events. Online fundraisers, merchandise purchases and direct donations are all wonderful options to keep up support.
We’ve also decided to bring forward the first of our online epilepsy webinars, where experts discuss their insights with interactive discussion afterwards. The first, with Professor Mark Cook, will be broadcast on our Facebook page on Purple Day, March 26.
We thank our entire community for their understanding and patience during these difficult times. And remember, if you have loved ones living with epilepsy who have decided to stay home, please check on them.
Kind regards,
Graeme Shears
Chief Executive Officer
Epilepsy Foundation
