Epilepsy awareness has always been on top of mind for one Richmond student, and she is now pushing for more epilepsy funding through the B.C. Youth Parliament (BCYP).
Marika Lopez, who lives with epilepsy, is in her second year as a member of the BCYP, a youth-run organization promoting youth service in the community.
Lopez told the Richmond News she noticed during her time at BCYP there’s been a lack of research funding for epilepsy.
But it wasn’t until this year that she was able to present her Parliament Member Resolution (PMR) – similar to a Private Member’s Bill – during a BCYP debate.
“Last year, we had so many debates over some silly stuff that we weren’t able to get to my (resolution) or other important ones on the list,” said Lopez. She originally wanted to bring up the importance of epilepsy funding already last year.
“This year, I raised it up again and mine was second or third on the list for debate and I was quite excited for it.”
During the debate, Lopez felt empowered hearing many of the youth members rise and support for an increase in funding for epilepsy.
“To see members stand up and saying they knew someone with epilepsy and why isn’t this talked about more or why it isn’t being researched more was just unbelievable.”
At one point, one member voiced that epilepsy is “as common as breast cancer,” which even surprised Lopez herself.
“We’ve all heard about breast cancer and we all know about it, we even have Breast Cancer Awareness Month and many people donating to the cause, but if anything, this really shows how underfunded epilepsy research is,” she added.
Lopez’s resolution was reviewed by the BCYP’s Board of Directors and it passed. This means her provincial secretary in the youth organization will be reaching out to the professionals and organizations addressed in the debate about her resolution.
“I hope there can be a change, because not only is this important personally to me, but also to many others who have also been touched by epilepsy or know of friends and family who have been.”
