Eisai Sponsors the Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York's 2nd Annual Epilepsy Awareness Day at Citi Field

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., June 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Eisai Inc. announced today it has become a "Keeper of the Flame" sponsor of the Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York's 2^nd Annual Epilepsy Awareness Day which will take place during a baseball game between the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres at Citi Field on Father's Day, June 15, 2014. The event will feature several exhibits and family activities designed to help raise public awareness about epilepsy.

Prior to the first pitch, there will be an on-field presentation of the Mets Spirit Award, which honors six families that have made a significant impact on the community by raising epilepsy awareness. Medikidz, who are five superheroes on a mission to help explain epilepsy to children living with the condition and their peers, will also be at the game handing out "Medikidz Explain Epilepsy" comic books. The Eisai-supported comic book tells a fictional story based on the real-life experiences of 14-year-old Jack, who is navigating middle school while living with epilepsy. Additionally, in honor of Father's Day, the Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York will be distributing "Fathers for Epilepsy Awareness" t-shirts to the first 100 fathers who arrive at the Epilepsy Community Space in the Bullpen Plaza at Citi Field.

"Public awareness and support for the epilepsy community is extremely important to us and this event is a fun but powerful way to reach the entire community," said Pamela Conford, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York. "We are grateful to Eisai for supporting our organization's goals and appreciate their commitment to the epilepsy community."

Epilepsy is a therapeutic area of focus for Eisai. The company is committed to advancing epilepsy care for patients and caregivers by providing meaningful resources that are in line with its corporate human health care (hhc) mission. The Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York is a non-profit organization that provides a variety of counseling and vocational services, as well as sponsoring support groups, community educational presentations and other events throughout the year.

"We are proud to support the Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York on this important day, as we both strongly believe in the importance of increasing public awareness about epilepsy," said Christine Verini, Vice President, Corporate Communications & Advocacy at Eisai Inc. "By honoring these families, we are not only highlighting the challenges that come with managing epilepsy, but also recognizing the efforts of those in the community who are helping to make a difference."

For more information about the Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York, please visit www.efmny.org.   

About Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a medical condition that produces seizures affecting a variety of mental and physical functions. According to the Institute of Medicine, epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting 2.2 million people in the United States.

Eisai Inc.

At Eisai Inc., human health care is our goal. We give our first thoughts to patients and their families. As the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Tokyo-based Eisai Co., Ltd., our passionate commitment to patient care is the driving force. We are a fully integrated pharmaceutical business with discovery, clinical, manufacturing and marketing capabilities. Our key areas of commercial focus include oncology and specialty care (Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy and metabolic disorders). To learn more about Eisai Inc., please visit us at www.eisai.com/US. 

Eisai Inc. has affiliates that are part of a global product creation organization that includes R&D facilities in Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, as well as a global demand chain organization that includes manufacturing facilities in Maryland and North Carolina. Eisai's global areas of R&D focus include neuroscience; oncology; metabolic disorders; vascular, inflammatory and immunological reaction; and antibody-based programs.

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SOURCE Eisai Inc.