Senate passes Sen. Carney joint resolution to recognize Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy Awareness Day
AUGUSTA — On Thursday, Feb. 10, the Senate passed SP 695, “Joint Resolution Recognizing June 2, 2022 as Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy Awareness Day,” which was sponsored by Sen. Carney.
“Earlier this year, Patricia Blankenship of the Maine Council for Epilepsy Foundation New England contacted me and shared the heartbreaking story of Carson Hooper, who tragically died from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) at 25 years of age,” said Sen. Carney. “Of course, I wanted to honor Carson’s memory and help spread awareness on SUDEP.”
The Joint Resolution recognizes June 2, 2022 as SUDEP Awareness Day in Maine. Carson Hooper was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 10 while attending camp. He continued to have seizures throughout his life. Carson loved working at Hannaford and playing the game, Magic: The Gathering, with his friends. Carson died on June 30, 2017.
People who continue to have seizures are at a greater risk of a number of complications, which is why preventing seizures and other problems is so important. Approximately 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy die from SUDEP each year. The greatest risk factors for SUDEP are convulsions that happen at night.
The joint resolution now goes to the House for concurrence.
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