Epilepsy Ontario executive director Rozalyn Werner-Arcé accepts a cheque for $2,800 from the Ontario Telemedicine Network. OTN raised the money during a two-month campaign focused on epilepsy awareness.
Paula Ashley says she came away with a reinforced feeling of what a “caring and passionate” organization she works for, following the Ontario Telemedicine Network’s (OTN’s) two-month campaign to raise money for epilepsy causes and spread awareness about the neurological disorder.
 Timmins OTN staff celebrating Thumbs up for Epilepsy! |
OTN, an organization providing telemedicine solutions for health-care stakeholders across Ontario, selects one charity or community organization to fundraise for each year. The sudden passing last summer of an OTN staff member who was living with a seizure disorder was the catalyst for team members choosing Epilepsy Ontario for this past year’s initiative, says Ashley, OTN’s employee engagement and communication specialist.
During the campaign this spring, OTN raised more than $2,800 to help Epilepsy Ontario raise awareness of seizure disorders. OTN also developed initiatives to educate staff members at its five regional offices.
When the campaign began, OTN worked with Epilepsy Ontario to obtain pins, bracelets, stickers and information packages to enhance awareness of epilepsy during weekly events hosted at its offices.
Events OTN hosted included a popcorn day, where Epilepsy Ontario’s logo was put on bags of popcorn; and a “purple thumb day,” which saw senior leaders painting staff members’ thumbs purple, the colour that represents epilepsy internationally.“Because we were doing this in memory of a colleague, it was quite amazing to see how our organization rose to the occasion with such passion and fervour,” says Ashley.
“We ended up raising more money than we had ever raised before, and that really said a lot about the people who work at OTN.”Approximately one in every 100 Canadians are living with a seizure disorder. Given the neurological disorder’s prevalence, Epilepsy Ontario executive director Rozalyn Werner-Arcé says it’s important that organizations follow OTN’s example of educating people.“OTN has set a wonderful example, not only through its fundraising, but also by educating people about epilepsy,” she says.“The funds raised by OTN during its awareness campaign will be put to good use educating people about epilepsy and seizure disorders.”Writer: Deron HamelIf you have feedback on this story, or have a story of your own that you would like to share, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca. You can also leave a comment below.* If you wish to reprint this story, please include following notice: “This story originally appeared on the Epilepsy Ontario website.”
