CURE Epilepsy is the only nonprofit organization committed to the singular goal of finding a cure for epilepsy. We accelerate cures by filling gaps that exist across the research landscape. Our efforts fund ground-breaking research focused on understanding epilepsy’s underlying causes and mechanisms to get to the root of the problem.
Parent-founded, research-focused
CURE Epilepsy was founded by Susan Axelrod and a small group of parents of children with epilepsy who were frustrated with their inability to protect their children from seizures and the side effects of medications. Unwilling to sit back, they joined forces to spearhead the search for a cure. Since its inception in 1998, CURE Epilepsy has raised more than $100 million to fund epilepsy research and other initiatives that will lead the way to cures for the epilepsies.
Our Mission
From Desperation to Hope: A Seizing Life with Susan Axelrod & Barb Kelly
More Seizing Life EpisodesWe've built a powerful, global research network
Through our pursuit of a cure, we’ve brought together the epilepsy community and researchers around the world to push the field forward on finding cures.
Our Research ImpactAssembled Strong Teams
We've assembled the best scientists across multiple fields to drive cutting-edge research through a team science approach, encouraging collaboration and surfacing opportunities to eliminate the silos that exist in medical research. And we've fostered the next generation of promising epilepsy researchers to build a bench of talent that will drive future novel developments.
Brought Experts Together
We've convened with experts at other nonprofits and national health organizations, like the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), to advocate for research funding. We've advocated for programs like Centers Without Walls, a partnership with NINDS to promote collaboration and accelerate epilepsy research.
Championed Government Funding
We've championed government funding of epilepsy research by working closely with government representatives. CURE Epilepsy Founder Susan Axelrod and Illinois Senator Dick Durbin advocated establishing the Epilepsy Research Program at the Department of Defense. This resulted in $10M from Congress to study the causes and prevention of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE).
Key Milestones for CURE Epilepsy
CURE Epilepsy has been a leader and a convener in the epilepsy research space for over 25 years
