Final Call for Entries to the ‘Excellence in Epilepsy’ Journalism Award

BRUSSELS - The ‘Excellence in Epilepsy’ Journalism Award - an initiative of the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and UCB - invites journalists from around the world to submit stimulating, informed and compelling news and feature stories on epilepsy.

The award seeks to increase awareness and improve understanding of epilepsy. The closing date for entries and nominations is 30 June, 2009.

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Susanne Lund, President of the IBE, commented “The IBE aims to create a world where fear and ignorance about epilepsy are replaced by understanding and care. We can only achieve this goal by increasing awareness of epilepsy - and this need is a pressing one.” She continued, “The media plays an important role in challenging stereotypes and sharing accurate information about epilepsy with their audiences. I believe that the Excellence in Epilepsy Journalism Award is a major step in encouraging the media to communicate knowledge, data and real life experiences of people with epilepsy around the world. Through this award journalists can help to combat the fear and ignorance about epilepsy and improve the lives for those living with the condition.”

The ‘Excellence in Epilepsy’ award is open to consumer and medical journalists from any country. Entries can be submitted from print, broadcast or online outlets and will be judged by an independent, seven member international panel, comprising:

- Dr Carlos Acevedo, Vice-President of the IBE Latin American Region and Editor, International Epilepsy News - David Josephs, Epilepsy Advocate - Joachim Mueller-Jung, Writer and Journalist, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Dr Mark Porter, GP, Broadcaster and Medical correspondent for The Times - Robert Cole, CEO, Epilepsy Association of South Australia and the Northern Territory - Roger Sergel, Managing Editor, Health coverage, ABC News - Susanne Lund, President, IBE

The panel is tasked with identifying responsible, informed, original and stimulating stories on epilepsy.

David Josephs, journalism award judge and father of ten-year-old Dominic who has epilepsy said; “Epilepsy is a complicated, but common condition which affects people in different ways. Our family welcomes this initiative which strives to put epilepsy in the mainstream and share understanding about the condition. I hope through this award stories about epilepsy and the experiences of people like Dominic receive the attention they deserve. By increasing knowledge and understanding of epilepsy we also increase the hope for those living with the condition.”

The award has three categories; medical print and online, consumer print and online and broadcast. Journalists can either directly submit their work for the awards or be nominated by a peer or colleague.

“There have been important developments in the treatment and management of epilepsy in recent years, but to truly improve the lives of people living with epilepsy there needs to also be wider understanding and knowledge amongst friends, colleagues, classmates, families and caregivers. Reaching such a broad range of people is only possible through informed and sustained media articles,” commented Dr Lode Dewulf, Vice-President of Global Medical Affairs, CNS, UCB.

“UCB is therefore pleased to work with the IBE on this epilepsy award initiative as part of our ongoing commitment to fostering education, awareness and understanding about this common condition and its treatment.”

To enter:

Send or email entries and the completed nomination form to: Excellence in Epilepsy Journalism Award PO Box 64158, London, WC2E 9WR or: excellence@epilepsyja.com

To find out more information or to download an entry or nomination form please visit: www.ibe-epilepsy.org/activities/excellence-in-journalism-award

About the IBE

The IBE is an organisation of laypersons and professionals interested in the medical and non-medical aspects of epilepsy. The IBE addresses such social problems as education, employment, insurance, driving licence restrictions and public awareness. www.ibe-epilepsy.org

About UCB

UCB, Brussels, Belgium is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative medicines with a focus on the fields of central nervous system and immunology disorders. Forward looking statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those that may be implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that could result in such differences include: changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, effects of future judicial decisions, changes in regulation, exchange rate fluctuations and hiring and retention of its employees.

Further information IBE Ann Little, IBE T +353-1-210-8850, ibedublin@eircom.net UCB Eimear O’Brien, Associate Director, Global CNS Communications UCB T +32-2-559-9271, Eimear.OBrien@ucb.com

Source: Excellence in Epilepsy Journalism Award

Further information: IBE, Ann Little, IBE, T +353-1-210-8850, ibedublin at eircom.net; UCB, Eimear O’Brien, Associate Director, Global CNS Communications UCB, T +32-2-559-9271, Eimear.OBrien at ucb.com