Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario

Virtual Teen Support Group
2021-11-16 16:00 - 17:00, 2021-11-30 16:00 - 17:00, 2021-12-14 16:00 - 17:00, 2022-04-26 16:00 - 17:00, 2022-05-10 16:00 - 17:00, 2022-05-24 16:00 - 17:00, 2022-06-07 16:00 - 17:00, 2022-06-21 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Toronto) and 1 more date
Making connections and building meaningful relationships can be an important part of living a happy and healthy life. Epilepsy can sometimes pose a barrier for people and make it more challenging to establish meaningful relationships. Our virtual support group meets bi-weekly on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 5:00 pm.
This is a drop-in group with weekly planned topics to facilitate conversation about issues that are important to people living with epilepsy. Our hope is to provide a space for our community members to meet others with epilepsy and have an opportunity to share their experiences and coping strategies. If you are interested in this session or future sessions, email holly@epilepsyswo.ca to register.

Virtual Adult Support Group
2021-11-23 16:00 - 17:00, 2021-12-07 16:00 - 17:00, 2022-05-03 16:00 - 17:00, 2022-05-17 16:00 - 17:00, 2022-05-31 16:00 - 17:00, 2022-06-14 16:00 - 17:00, 2022-06-28 16:00 - 17:00, 2022-07-12 16:00 - 17:00

Giving Tuesday
2021-11-30
Give someone the #GiftofHope this Giving Tuesday
We’re putting our own spin on Giving Tuesday with the #GIFTOFHOPE, a special fundraiser that empowers you to to help support the 1 in 100 people living with epilepsy throughout Southwestern Ontario this holiday season and beyond.
What is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday is a global movement for giving and volunteering. It’s a time when people all over the globe rally together for the causes they care about. There is no better time to think locally and make a difference right in your community.
3 Ways to Get Involved on Giving Tuesday
Donate
Support a child with epilepsy by providing their entire classroom with education about epilepsy and seizure first aid with a donation of just $50. Imagine the peace of mind this would bring to the student with epilepsy in the classroom.
Crowdfund
Share our crowdfunding page with family and friends.
Post an #UNselfie
Post an unselfie telling your friends why you support us. (An unselfie is just like a selfie, but with a generous twist. Take a photo of yourself holding a sign that tells your followers who you’re supporting for #GivingTuesday and why.)
Learn more about what we have going on for Giving Tuesday by heading to our Giving Tuesday landing page here.

ESWO Virtual Holiday Party
2021-12-08 18:30 - 19:30
You are invited to our virtual Merry Little Holiday Party, on Wednesday, December 8th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
Join this virtual drop-in event to re-connect with our staff team and play a few online holiday games! Please RSVP to the event below by December 8th at 3:00pm and you will receive the link to join via email the day of the event.

London Lightning 50/50
2022-03-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Budweiser Gardens, 99 Dundas St, London, Ontario, N6A 6K1, Canada
ESWO is hosting the 50/50 at the London Lightning game on March 9, 2022. Come and cheer on the London Lightning at Budweiser Gardens for their game against the Kitchener Waterloo Titans. The tip-off is at 7 PM!
We hope to see you there, we will have a merch table and will be selling 50/50 tickets. If you are interested in volunteering contact bailey@epilepsyswo.ca.

Virtual Epilepsy Awareness Month Party
2022-03-14 18:00 - 19:00
Our virtual Epilepsy Awareness Month party is open to all ESWO clients who may not be able to attend one of our in-person events, as well as those who would like to attend both! Epilepsy Warriors, this is YOUR month, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you! Join our team for an evening of conversation and games and you’ll have a chance to meet new people and reconnect with the familiar faces you’ve missed. We look forward to welcoming everyone who can join.
Join us virtually March 14th from 6-7pm
Connect with holly@epilepsyswo.ca for more information and to RSVP.

Seize the Paw
2022-03-15 14:00 - 16:00
For many of us, pets play an important role in our lives. Imagine how impactful having a specially trained Seizure Response Dog or Emotional Support Animal would be!
Join other Epilepsy Warriors for an afternoon of togetherness while supporting the animals of our local Chatham-Kent Pet and Wildlife Rescue (PAWR). Play with kittens or take a puppy for a walk! Let’s give these sheltered animals some love! Hope to see you there!
Date: Tuesday, March 15 (March Break)
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Location: 405 Park Avenue East Chatham, ON
RSVP to sandra@epilepsyswo.ca

Tropical Togetherness Day
2022-03-16 12:00 - 16:00 | Colasanti Tropical Gardens, 1550 Road 3 East, Kingsville, Ontario, N9Y 2E5, Canada
Looking for close-to-home fun this March Break? Please join us to celebrate Epilepsy Awareness Month at a beautiful indoor tropical garden on March 16th with fellow epilepsy warriors! Join us for an afternoon lunch and fun at Colasanti’s Tropical Garden! There’s something for the whole family!
Grab your purple and join us for some fun. The cost of zoo admission and mini golf generously covered though Ava’s fundraising for children’s programs in Windsor. (Costs of additional activities are the responsibility of each attendee).
Join us for the entire afternoon, or drop in when you can:
12:00 pm-2:00 pm Group Lunch (attendees to cover their own lunch)
https://www.colasanti.com/everydaymenu/
2:00 pm-4:00 pm Petting Zoo and Mini Golf (free of charge courtesy of Ava’s fundraising efforts)
Please RSVP to sarah@epilepsyswo.ca if you plan to join us.

Purple Game: Sarnia Legionnaires vs. Chatham Maroons
2022-03-17 19:05 - 21:30 | Sarnia Arena, 134 Brock St S, Sarnia, Ontario, N7T2W2, Canada
There are some hockey teams in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) showing their community support for Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario (ESWO) by hosting a PURPLE GAME. During this regular-season game, the team and their coaching staff will be wearing purple clothing or sporting purple tape on their sticks to raise Epilepsy awareness.
One of our local Epilepsy Warriors will be part of the Ceremonial Puck Drop, and fans can support ESWO by purchasing ESWO merchandise or just donating to this worthy cause.
Information about what ESWO provides to the communities will be available in the lobby.
So, join the Sarnia Legionnaires on Thursday, March 17th at 7:05 pm at the Sarnia Arena for their PURPLE GAME in support of Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario.

Sam Jam
2022-03-20 16:00 - 20:00 | Storm Stayed Brewing Company, 169 Wharncliffe Rd S, London, Ontario, N6J 2K7, Canada
An annual event held in memory of Sam (Fen) Richmond with donations going to Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario and Open Closet.

The event will be held on March 20th from 4 pm – 8 pm at Storm Stayed Brewing Company (169 Wharncliffe Rd S, London, ON N6J 2K7). There will be a small art auction. Entrance by donation.

Follow updates on their Facebook event page.

London In-Person Client Party
2022-03-23 18:00 - 20:00 | East Lions Community Centre, 1731 Churchill Ave, London, Ontario, N5W 5P4, Canada
All ESWO clients and families are invited to our Epilepsy Awareness Month party in London! We invite you to celebrate your epilepsy journey and milestones with others who can understand and appreciate your experiences. This family-friendly event will have light refreshments, some games, and a collective art activity for everyone to participate in. Please contact Holly O’Neill at Holly@epilepsyswo.ca to register. We are excited to see all of you soon!
Date: March 23rd, 2022
Time: 6-8pm
Location: East Lions Community Centre

Purple Daisy Days
2022-03-26 09:00 - 17:00 | The Purple Pansy flower boutique, 46 William St S, Chatham, ON, N7M 4S3, Canada
The Purple Pansy Flower Boutique has teamed up with ESWO to raise money for epilepsy education and support services in Chatham-Kent. Purchase a bunch (5 stems) of beautiful purple daisies for $12 (including tax) and the proceeds will be donated back to ESWO.
Pick-up is March 26, 2022, or Friday, March 25, 2022, if necessary! Order yours today by calling 519-354-5555! 🌸

Music and Epilepsy
2022-03-30 18:30 - 19:30
Many people with epilepsy struggle with feelings of anxiety or depression – can music help to relieve some of these milder symptoms? Join us on March 30th at 6:30 pm to learn about how music can positively impact mental health and how people with epilepsy may benefit from incorporating music into their lives. In addition, Sarina, an ESWO client and a talented musician will be sharing her personal experience with music. You won’t want to miss it!
RSVP to holly@epilepsyswo.ca

Mad Hatter Tea Party Gala
2022-04-02 18:00 - 23:30 | Hellenic Community Centre, 133 Southdale Rd W, London, Ontario, N6J 2J2, Canada
Don’t be late for this very important date, join us on Saturday, April 2, 2022 for our 36th Annual Gala “Mad Hatter Tea Party”.
Join us down the rabbit hole to enjoy this hybrid event including entertainment, a delicious chef-catered dinner for those in person, silent auction, and recognition of our H.O.P.E. award recipient, Ava Pitre. Our goal is to raise $35,000 to support our Public Education Programs throughout Southwestern Ontario.
IN PERSON – Join us at the Hellenic Centre for live entertainment, a catered dinner and exclusive access to certain auction items. Guests must be at the event in person to bid on these exclusive items.
VIRTUAL – Great option for those that can’t travel to London, but still want to participate in our event. A portion of the Gala will be streamed live; ticket holders will receive a hyperlink by email to attend, which will be sent the morning of Saturday, April 2, 2022!
Where: Hellenic Community Centre, 133 Southdale Rd W. London OR Virtual
* Note: we have changed the location to a much larger venue to allow for the appropriate distancing of tables.
When: Saturday, April 2, 2022. Doors open at 6:00 pm
Virtual event starts at 8:00 pm
Tickets:
IN PERSON – $125/ticket
VIRTUAL – $25/household
Payment: Purchase online, through cheque made payable to ‘Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario’, or by credit card by calling 519-433-4073

iPad Pro Raffle
Working on projects or work on the go wouldn’t be so bad with the Apple iPad Pro 12.9″, valued just over $2000. Purchase a raffle ticket for your chance to win!
Big thank you to Festival City Glass & Tint for sponsoring this amazing raffle in support of our Mad Hatter Tea Party!
All proceeds will go towards epilepsy education and support services in Southwestern Ontario.
Purchase Raffle Ticket(s)
Raffle Rules

Virtual Silent Auction
Auction opens: Friday, March 25, 2022 at noon
Auction closes: Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 10 pm
Bid on several exciting items including a round-trip flight for two on West Jet, a Dyson V15 Detect, a Joey modular couch, many gift baskets, VIA Rail travel voucher, wine tour, overnight stays, and much more!
All auction items will be available for pickup at ESWO’s head office (797 York St. Unit 3 London, ON). Pickup times to be arranged with staff.
* Please note credit cards will be processed when the auction closes. Trellis fees will be applied.
Enter Silent Auction

Host Nick Paparella
We are very excited to introduce Nick Paparella as our honourary host for our ESWO Virtual Gala!
Nick is the longest serving News Reporter at CTV News London.
Nick has been married to his high-school sweetheart Evelyn for more than 30 years. They have three very active and happy adult sons. Among his many interests, Nick supports several charities and community organizations with his time.

Magician Keith Brown
Keith Brown is a world-class VIP entertainer and keynote speaker. He has inspired wonder in over 22 countries & counting. He was chosen Toronto’s BEST Magician and he’s not even from Toronto… Most recently, Keith performed for the President and First Lady of Iceland. When he’s not touring his show or entertaining at private events Keith trains Ivey MBAs & business executives in effective communication and high impact presentation skills.
“Very Entertaining” – Eliza Reid, First Lady of Iceland
“You’re Incredible!” – Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters
“WOW!” – Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
https://www.absolutemagic.ca/

H.O.P.E. Award Recipient
Every year at our gala we present a H.O.P.E. award (Helping out People with Epilepsy) to a person, group of people or organization who has shown great care and compassion and made a difference in the lives of people living with epilepsy.
Ava Pitre is a very special 9 year old epilepsy warrior, who has made helping people with epilepsy her main agenda. Recognizing the peace of mind that her anti-suffocation pillow brought to her own family, she began a fundraising mission to provide pillows to other local families. Ava’s passion for spreading epilepsy awareness drives these Epilepsy Awareness Month fundraising efforts, which have raised thousands of dollars and provided pillows to 28 families (and climbing) living with nocturnal seizures! Ava’s compassionate heart and commitment to spreading epilepsy awareness have earned her this year’s H.O.P.E. award.

Become a Sponsor
To become an event sponsor or to contribute to our silent auction, please contact bailey@epilepsyswo.ca
Check back for regular updates, we can’t wait to see you then!
Our Event Sponsors and Participants:
Cheshire Champion Sponsors

Queen of Hearts Sponsors and Participants

Coolest Caterpillar Sponsor

Dashing Rabbit Sponsors

Curious Alice Sponsor
BlueStone Properties
Elgin Contracting and Restoration Ltd.
Tepperman’s

50/50 Draw at Chatham-Kent Ribfest 2022
2022-07-07 11:00 - 2022-07-10 17:00 | Tecumseh Park, Chatham, Ontario, Canada
We’re excited to partner with the Chatham-Kent Ribfest by hosting a 50/50 draw in support of ESWO and individuals living with epilepsy. ESWO will be attending and have a booth set up at the Chatham Ribfest July 7-10, 2022 in Tecumseh Park.
Ticket purchases must be made no later than 4:30pm on July 10, 2022, in order to be eligible for this 50/50 draw.
Tickets: 200 for $40, 60 for $20, or 10 for $10.
Purchase tickets online: https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/epilepsyswo
For more information or any questions about this 50/50 draw, please contact sandra@epilepsyswo.ca
