The Epilepsy Foundation has planned the first-ever National Walk for Epilepsy, to be held in Washington DC. On March 31, 2007 thousands of people will walk the 5K route from Constitution Avenue to Jefferson Drive on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to raise awareness and money for epilepsy research.

The event takes place on the first day of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and should bring 5,000 walkers to help raise money to support programs to eliminate stigma and raise awareness of epilepsy.

“Epilepsy is the most-common neurological condition in almost three million Americans, but few people know that it can affect anyone, anywhere at any time,” said Eric R. Hargis, President and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. “The goals of the Walk are to raise public awareness about the condition and to secure much needed funding to find a cure. We are also striving to create an environment where people living with epilepsy have equal access to all life experiences.”

The National Walk for Epilepsy is hosted by The Epilepsy Foundation, a national voluntary health organization established in 1967, works to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; to improve how people with epilepsy are perceived, accepted and valued in society; and to promote research for a cure.

The event is sponsored by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics. “Ortho-McNeil Neurologics is very excited to be a part of the National Walk for Epilepsy, because our commitment to the epilepsy community extends beyond providing treatment,” said Janet Vergis, President, Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc.

Honorary Chair for this first-ever Walk is actor Greg Grunberg, who is best-known for his television roles as Sean Blumberg on Felicity, Eric Weiss on Alias, and Matt Parkman on NBC’s new hit show, Heroes. Greg and his wife Elizabeth’s 10-year-old son, Jake, has epilepsy. “It is such an honor to participate in any way we can to raise awareness in the fight against epilepsy,” Grunberg said. “To be able to march on Washington with those directly effected and their families lets our family know we are not alone.”