About Expressions
People with Epilepsy Encouraged to Submit Artwork as part of
National Expressions of Courage
®
Contest
Call for Entries Issued for National Art Contest in its Fifth Year
TITUSVILLE, N.J. (April 23, 2007) –When
coping with an illness or disease, many people have found they can
best express themselves and transcend barriers they face trying to
describe the condition to others through artwork. Now in its fifth
year, the Expressions of Courage
®
National Art Contest, sponsored by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics division
of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharamaceuticals, Inc. in partnership with
the Epilepsy Foundation, hopes to raise awareness of epilepsy and
encourage those living with the disorder to illustrate the emotions
they draw upon when facing the challenges caused by the condition.
The contest kicks off today for people of all ages who have been
diagnosed with epilepsy. People with epilepsy are invited to
illustrate their interpretation of living with the disease through
art, a powerful means of expression and considered by many to be an
important component of living with a chronic disease. Entries will be
accepted through July 16, 2007. Judges will review artwork and
announce winners in November in commemoration of National Epilepsy
Awareness Month. Winning artwork may be displayed as part of a
national traveling exhibition comprised of nearly 25 winning entries
selected by curators from the Society for the Arts in Healthcare.
Winning artwork also will be featured on the contest Web site and
included in a calendar, coffee table book or greeting cards,
available for viewing at local Epilepsy Foundation offices and
participating physician offices nationwide.
"Over the past five years, the Expressions of Courage contest has been tremendously successful, and each year, we’re excited to see new creative artwork that demonstrates the strength and courage of people with epilepsy," said Eric Hargis, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. "The artwork reinforces the talent and accomplishments of those in the epilepsy community, and provides people with a forum for sharing their own personal stories of hope and freedom."
Epilepsy is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system, affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide with as many as 200,000 Americans diagnosed for the first time each year.
Epilepsy can develop at any time in life, but there is a particular susceptibility in young children and the elderly. Currently, there is no cure for epilepsy; however, seizure medications help control seizure activity in the majority of people with this condition.
Dotty Pedi, a 41-year-old winner in the 2006 Expressions of Courage contest said, “It’s important to me that society gains a greater acceptance of people living with epilepsy. This contest not only allows me to express myself creatively, but by raising awareness, it also helps fight the stigma associated with epilepsy.”
About the Contest
Artwork may be created in ink, pencil, crayon or paint on paper or board, no larger than 8 ½ by 11 inches. Entry forms and more information can be found at www.expressionsofcourage.com or by calling 800-224-4935. Entries should be mailed to: Expressions of Courage, c/o Ortho-McNeil Neurologics division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharamaceuticals, Inc., 389 Pittstown Road, Pittstown, NJ 08867.
Nearly 300 pieces have been awarded over the past five years, and last year, the contest generated a record number of entries with 224 pieces of artwork.
About the Epilepsy Foundation
The Epilepsy Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the goal of ensuring that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences, and works to prevent, control and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy and services. For more information, visit www.epilepsyfoundation.org.
About Ortho-McNeil Neurologics division of
Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharamaceuticals, Inc.
Headquartered in Titusville, N.J., Ortho-McNeil Neurologics division
of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharamaceuticals, Inc. focuses exclusively on
providing solutions that improve neurological health. The company
currently markets products for Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and
acute and preventive migraine treatment. Ortho-McNeil Neurologics
division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharamaceuticals, Inc., in
conjunction with internal and external research partners, continues
to explore new opportunities to develop solutions for unmet health
care needs in neurology.