Epilepsy Research Institute urges MPs May 22

Epilepsy Research Institute used National Epilepsy Week on May 22 to press supporters to contact lawmakers and ask them to champion epilepsy research in Parliament. A post from the charity’s X account, @EpilepsyInst, urged followers to “contact your MP” and linked to a template and MP finder created for the campaign. The appeal tied the action directly to #EpilepsyWeek, the annual UK awareness campaign running this year from May 18 to May 24. The institute paired the post with an image and a link to its political advocacy materials. ### What exactly did the institute ask supporters to do? The Epilepsy Research Institute told supporters to use its online locator and template to write to their local member of Parliament. On its campaign page, the charity says the tool is meant to help “ensure that epilepsy is a priority in Parliament and on the agenda of policymakers.” The same page asks supporters to “invite your local MP to support epilepsy research.” (epilepsy-institute.org.uk) The institute’s National Epilepsy Week page says the process takes “two minutes” and encourages supporters to ask their MP to become a “parliamentary epilepsy research champion.” That language matches the message highlighted in the May 22 social-media push. ### How does this fit into the charity’s wider campaign? The institute has been running a broader advocacy effort under the banner “One in 100,” a reference to the prevalence figure often used in epilepsy awareness campaigns. (epilepsy-institute.org.uk) Its support page groups the MP-writing tool with other actions, including donations, campaign sharing and partnership outreach. A separate institute article, published as part of that campaign, says it wants to “recruit a network of MPs to champion epilepsy research.” That article says backers can use an “easy-to-complete letter template and local MP finder” to make contact with lawmakers. (epilepsy-institute.org.uk) ### Why was the message tied to this specific week? National Epilepsy Week began on May 18, according to epilepsy charities marking the campaign. (epilepsy-institute.org.uk) Epilepsy Society said this year’s week would feature personal stories from people living with epilepsy and research work from clinicians and scientists. The Epilepsy Research Institute used the same week to direct attention toward political advocacy as well as fundraising and public awareness. (epilepsy-institute.org.uk) Its National Epilepsy Week page places “Write to your MP” alongside donation appeals, challenge events and story-sharing as one of the main ways supporters can take part. ### What is the organization behind the appeal? (epilepsysociety.org.uk) The Association of Medical Research Charities lists Epilepsy Research Institute UK as a member charity focused on neurological research. The listing identifies the organization’s public-facing social account as @EpilepsyInst and links to its main website. The institute’s campaign materials describe the political ask in practical terms rather than legislative detail. (epilepsy-institute.org.uk) The stated goal is to raise the profile of epilepsy research with MPs and policymakers, using standardized outreach that supporters can send quickly during the awareness week. ### Where can supporters find the next step? National Epilepsy Week continues through May 24, and the Epilepsy Research Institute’s website keeps the MP-writing tool on its campaign and news pages. (amrc.org.uk) The same pages also direct supporters to donation links, challenge events and materials for sharing the campaign more widely. (epilepsy-institute.org.uk 1) (epilepsy-institute.org.uk 2)