The Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia works to improve the quality of life for the 85,000 Virginians living with epilepsy — individuals whom EFVA proudly calls “epilepsy heroes.” These are people who face seizures with courage, strength and resilience every day.
As the Virginia chapter of the National Epilepsy Foundation, EFVA mirrors the national mission: “to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures and save lives.”
In Virginia, that mission comes to life through education, advocacy, direct assistance and a deep commitment to building a seizure-safe future where every hero can thrive.
Programs, services & community impact
EFVA’s core work centers on client advocacy, helping people navigate lifelong challenges whether they are in school, at work or enjoying daily life. From students mislabeled as “daydreaming” when they’re experiencing an absence seizure to adults losing jobs because of uncontrolled seizures, EFVA steps in with education and intervention.
The foundation offers a range of services, including one-time financial assistance of up to $300 a year, virtual support groups, scholarships for students with epilepsy, creative programming like Paint Nights and clinic support.
The nonprofit also organizes signature events like Epilepsy Heroes Day in March, the Race for Seizure Freedom in Winchester, Virginia, and the Tour de Midnight Bike Ride held in Rockville, Virginia, with satellite rides across the state.
Through these initiatives, EFVA educates and engages more than 10,000 Virginians annually, including patients, families, healthcare professionals and the general public.
Its legislative outreach is just as impactful. Recently, EFVA contacted 171 state legislators through Zoom, phone calls and letters to push for stronger support and awareness.
Advocacy efforts now focus heavily on SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), a rare occurrence when a person with epilepsy dies unexpectedly while in otherwise good health. EFVA raises awareness of this often-overlooked risk through statewide training for doctors and by stressing the importance of informing patients who may be at risk.
A personal mission
The heart of this work is Suzanne Bischoff, EFVA’s dedicated executive director who has been involved with the organization for over three decades. While she does not have epilepsy herself, Bischoff has experienced seizures and understands their impact, which fuels her leadership.
For Bischoff, the mission is personal. She’s moved by the stories of those helped by EFVA’s services, whether it’s someone able to purchase seizure-safe carpeting or a medical alert watch that contacts a loved one during a fall. These moments serve as a reminder that EFVA makes an everyday difference for individuals.
“There are 85,000 epilepsy heroes in Virginia — people living with seizures who work, raise families and face challenges every day with strength,” Bischoff said.
The foundation’s advocacy also includes public education for law enforcement and first responders about properly recognizing and responding to seizures. This awareness is essential, Bischoff noted, as epilepsy remains one of the most misunderstood neurological conditions, despite being the fourth most common in the world.
A seizure-safe future
Looking ahead, Bischoff is preparing a succession plan to ensure the organization’s mission continues beyond her leadership.
“We may not be able to stop the seizures, but we can give people the tools, support and strength to live with them,” Bischoff said.
Priorities for the future include faster, more equitable access to epileptologists and specialized clinics, where some waitlists stretch over a year. Additionally, EFVA is working to expand outreach through social media, training sessions and recruiting more volunteers.
Programs like Teens Speak Up, which trains young people with epilepsy to advocate at the state and federal levels, highlight EFVA’s commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders. It’s a team effort at EFVA, with many staff members experiencing the impact of epilepsy in their own families. It’s these personal connections to the cause that make EFVA more determined to inspire change.
Get involved and support Virginia’s epilepsy heroes today.
