February 13, 2023 International Epilepsy Day At the start Stories of Epilepsy are staged

(Adnkronos) - •The LICE and LICE Foundation campaign kicks off to tell stories of social inclusion of people with epilepsy, from school to work •The short film at the Giffoni Film Festival 2023 Rome, 13 February 2023 - Life is a theater and each of noi goes on stage every day, without exception This is the message that the LICE – Italian League Against Epilepsy addresses to People who live with Epilepsy, not to surrender to their condition, because today it is possible to achieve a better quality of life.

In industrialized countries, Epilepsy affects about 1 in 100 people This pathology can occur at all ages, with two major peaks of incidence, one in the first years of life and the other - increasingly higher - in the older age.

advanced Indeed, it is currently calculated that in Italy every year 86 new cases of Epilepsy occur in the first year of life, 20-30 in youth/adulthood and 180 after the age of 75.

At the basis of the high incidence rate in the first year of life there are above all genetic factors and risks connected to various causes of perinatal suffering, while for the over 75s the cause lies above all in the concomitant increase in age-related pathologies: cerebral stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, tumors and head injuries On the occasion of International Epilepsy Day, LICE and the LICE Foundation, in collaboration with the Giffoni Innovation Hub, in front of an audience of journalists and institutions, presented in a press conference “Si va in scena.

Stories of Epilepsy”, the awareness campaign against the social stigma that often involves exclusion from a normal life for those who live with Epilepsy, even in school and work International Day was an opportunity to launch a contest dedicated to the theme of social inclusion, from school to work.

In fact, the Campaign will involve the direct involvement of People with Epilepsy and their caregivers who will want to tell the story of those who experience Epilepsy firsthand, in every area of ​​daily life The best story will be selected by a jury of experts, and will become the subject of a short film which will be presented from 20 to 29 July at the Giffoni Film Festival 2023 and, out of competition, at the next Venice International Film Festival.

“In Italy there are about 600,000 people with epilepsy - highlights Laura Tassi, LICE president - and a third of them are not sensitive to pharmacological treatment, representing a serious problem of school and work social inclusion and the largest share of expenditure for the national health service and for caregivers Epilepsy is a chronic disease that certainly impacts on the daily life of those who suffer from it, even in relationships with people, classmates and colleagues.

Although there is still a long way to go, many steps forward have been made, and LICE supports People with Epilepsy not to give up on their condition and to face life courageously in every social sphere We thank our partners and the Giffoni Film Festival which will give visibility to the stories of People with Epilepsy through a short film".

The international day of Epilepsy also celebrates the 30th anniversary of "Il Grande Cocomero", one of the rare films in which the theme of epilepsy has been dealt with in an exhaustive and exciting way During the event, a special montage of the film was screened and, for the occasion, the director, Francesca Archibugi, wanted to be present with a video greeting.

"We are really proud of this project - explains Oriano Mecarelli, LICE Past-President - which will see the making of a short film entirely dedicated to the social inclusion of those living with epilepsy and will be presented in a highly prestigious international scenario such as Giffoni Movie Festivals Giving a voice to people with epilepsy means inviting them to be aware of their pathology and encouraging them to face life in the best possible way, in every social sphere.

We represent one of the Italian Scientific Societies with the longest tradition and activity and we are constantly committed to soliciting the attention of the Institutions and public opinion towards Epilepsy also through adequate information and assistance to the community of People with Epilepsy and their caregivers" Also this year the traditional lighting of Italian monuments is renewed: on the evening of 13 February, in fact, the monuments of the main Italian cities, starting from the Colosseum, will be colored in purple, the color of the fight against epilepsy.

Numerous events planned in the various Italian Regions can be consulted on the LICE website The awareness campaign for February 13th obtained the support of Rai for Sustainability for information support through the Rai editorial channels.

“This year even more - concludes Antonio Gambardella, President of the LICE Foundation – we wanted to highlight how important social inclusion is for those who live with epilepsy Those affected by pathologies like these face discrimination and exclusion from social, professional or school life on a daily basis based on age.

This is why we want People with Epilepsy to no longer hide out of fear of judgement, we want them to tell their stories, their fears but also their successes For this reason, always alongside LICE, we will know with great emotion the most beautiful story of Epilepsy which will be selected and will become a short film presented in an international context such as the Giffoni Film Festival to which our thanks go”.

Participating in today's event were Laura Tassi, LICE President; Oriano Mecarelli, Past President LICE, Antonio Gambardella, President of the LICE Foundation; Francesca Sofia, President International Bureau for Epilepsy, IBE; Domenico Di Giorgio, AIFA, with the moderation of Mario Moroni, LICE Testimonial A special thanks goes to the companies that are here today alongside LICE and the LICE Foundation for supporting International Epilepsy Day and for their extraordinary commitment that they dedicate every day in this area: Angelini Pharma which also contributed to the lighting of the Colosseum, and then again Jazz Pharmaceuticals, UCB, Eisai, Ecufarma, Lusofarmacoe Sanofi for the non-conditioning contribution to the Campaign.

The LICE 2023 Campaign “WE GO ON STAGE STORIES OF EPILEPSY" will continue throughout 2023.

Anyone wishing to participate in the contest and tell their story of Epilepsy, no later than March 13, 2023, will be able to find all the information on LICE and the LICE Foundation The trailer of the short film will be previewed during the 46th LICE National Congress which will be held in Naples from 7 to 9 June 2023.

For More Information: Www Lice

It Https://fondazionelice It/ Https://www

facebook com/FondazioneEpilessiaLICE GAS Communication Press Office Francesca Rossini – Stefania Perrelli – Manuela Indraccolo f.

Rossini@aimcommunication Eu ; S

Perrelli@aimcommunication Eu; M

.