Elizabeth Espinosa Brings Epilepsy Awareness to High Profile Southern California Radio Station KFI-640 AM

LOS ANGELES, April 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Epilepsy Foundation and the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles are proud to announce spokesperson Elizabeth Espinosa will be talking about epilepsy on Southern California radio's KFI AM 640 as a host of Thompson and Espinosa, which airs weekdays from 1-3 PM PST.  The new partnership with KFI includes airing of public service announcements, narrated by Ms. Espinosa, which are designed to build epilepsy and seizure awareness in greater Los Angeles, with a special focus on the Latino community.

"We are grateful to Elizabeth Espinosa for continuing to lend her voice to the Epilepsy Foundation and its mission," said Philip M. Gattone, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. "It is vitally important that all people affected by epilepsy, including those in the Latino American community, know they are not alone. The Epilepsy Foundation and its nationwide network of affiliates can help people live full and productive lives."

"There are over 200,000 families living with epilepsy in Southern California," said Susan Pietsch-Escueta, executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles. "Elizabeth speaking up about epilepsy on such a popular radio station is vital to increasing public awareness about epilepsy and reminds people living with epilepsy that they are not alone in their fight against epilepsy."

"I have been so excited that Mark Thompson and Elizabeth Espinosa have joined KFI --- they are two wonderful, smart and passionate people," said KFI PD Robin Bertolucci. "KFI is now live and local every day from 5am to 10pm, I know that Elizabeth is active in advocating for those with special needs, and her work with the Epilepsy Foundation and the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles, two important charities, is wonderful. We're proud to support her in efforts to make Southern California better place for people living with epilepsy."

Approximately 1 in 26 people in the USA will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime.  About 200,000 live with epilepsy in Southern California.

About Epilepsy
When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, they have epilepsy, which affects more than 2 million people in the United States and 65 million people worldwide.  This year, another 150,000 people in our country will be diagnosed with epilepsy.  Despite all available treatments, four out of 10 people with epilepsy continue to experience uncontrolled seizures while many more experience less than optimal seizure control.

About the Epilepsy Foundation
The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with 47 affiliated organizations throughout the United States, has led the fight against seizures since 1968.  The Foundation is an unwavering ally for individuals and families impacted by epilepsy and seizures.  The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is to stop seizures and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy and research to accelerate ideas into therapies.  The Foundation works to ensure that people with seizures have the opportunity to live their lives to their fullest potential. For additional information, please visit www.epilepsy.com.

"Like" the Epilepsy Foundation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/epilepsyfoundationofamerica and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/epilepsyfdn.

About the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles
Established in 1957 as a 501(c)3 charitable organization, the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles is leading the fight to END EPILEPSY® and the burden of seizures. Our fundraising and community efforts support care, advocacy and education, today, while investing in research and hope for tomorrow. Visit us online at ENDEPILEPSY.org.

About Elizabeth Espinosa
Ms. Espinosa is the host of Thompson and Espinosa, which airs weekdays on KFI AM 640 from 1-3 PM PST.  She is also the host of Sin Limites, a nightly talk show that airs on CNN Latino and further is a reporter with KTLA in Los Angeles.  Ms. Espinosa received an Emmy Award in 2007 for her special "Forgotten Footprints: The Hunted Children of Uganda." She has also reported on disabled and abandoned children in El Salvador and on arranged marriages in Pakistan. She is a dedicated advocate for the rights of the disabled, a cause rooted in her youth as the primary caretaker for her disabled younger brother.

About KFI
KFI AM 640 is one of the most popular radio stations in Los Angeles and one of the most listened-to news/talk radio stations in the country.  The 50,000-watt KFI is owned by Clear Channel and broadcasts from Burbank, California.

For additional information visit:  http://www.kfiam640.com    

SOURCE Epilepsy Foundation