Over 40 staff, students and visitors joined epilepsy awareness events run by the SMQB on campus.
Kicking this off was an enjoyable seizure first-aid training session at lunch run by Epilepsy Action lead Simon Privett. Simon is also one of SMQB’s AMIGO patient and public involvement representives and has a long history of collaborating with SMQB Director Professor Terry and the team. Simon shared fun facts, personal anecdotes and useful information about the condition, the many different seizure types and how people can support those who may be having a seizure.
This was followed later in the afternoon by a 2-hour session featuring talks & networking. Speakers included charity Epilepsy Research UK, who shared details of the Priority Setting Partnership work they are involved with, plus lived experience talks from people affected by epilepsy and a talk from one of the lead clinical nurse specialists in the region. Of course SMQB researchers also got involved with talks from Professor John Terry, Dr Wes Woldman, Dr Isa Marinelli and Dr Daniel Galvis about the way in which mathematical modelling is helping understand brain networks for diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers as well as planning epilepsy surgery. Colleagues from the IMSR (Dr John Allotey) and CHBH (Professor Andy Bagshaw) also contributed, sharing research into improving outcomes for pregnant mums with epilepsy and understanding the links with sleep and cognition in children.
Even Old Joe got involved and lit up purple at night!
If you would be interested in collaborating on Purple Day next year, get in touch with the SMQB.