Epilepsy Foundation Welcomes CNN's Elizabeth Espinosa as New Voice Raising Awareness for Latino Americans Living with Epilepsy and Seizures

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Epilepsy Foundation is proud to welcome Emmy Award-winning journalist Elizabeth Espinosa, host of CNN Latino's "Sin Limites" and weekend news anchor on KTLA in Los Angeles, as a spokesperson to help raise awareness of epilepsy and seizures in the Latino American community. Ms. Espinosa will take part in a series of public service announcements designed to inform the community about how common epilepsy is and how the Epilepsy Foundation can provide help and support.

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"We are grateful to Elizabeth Espinosa for lending 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 that they are not alone. The Epilepsy Foundation and its nationwide network of affiliates can help people live full and productive lives."

Approximately 1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime. It is almost twice as common among Hispanics as among non-Hispanics. More than 23,000 Latino Americans in New York City live with epilepsy. In Florida, those living with epilepsy top 44,000. Nearly 20,000 Latino Americans in Arizona and nearly 19,000 in Los Angeles live with epilepsy.

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.

Launched in January 2013, CNN Latino is a block of syndicated programming designed for the U.S. Hispanic market. It features news, lifestyle, documentary, talk, and debate shows. The programming block currently airs from 3 to 11 p.m. ET in Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Tampa, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Miami. On "Sin Limites," Ms. Espinosa moderates a panel of experts and newsmakers from the U.S. and Latin America who debate current issues and answer audience questions submitted through social media.

About Epilepsy
When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, they have epilepsy, which affects nearly three million people in the United States and 65 million people worldwide. This year, another 200,000 people in our country will be diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite all available treatments, 30 to 40 percent of 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 Foundation works to prevent, control and cure epilepsy through community services; public education; federal and local advocacy; and supporting research into new treatments and 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.

SOURCE Epilepsy Foundation