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| Sarah Dennis addresses the reception in Chester. (Danny Abriel Photo) |
On an idyllic Nova Scotia summer evening in Chester, Dr. Michael Esser, AV俱乐部鈥檚 newly-appointed William Dennis Chair in Pediatric Epilepsy Research, was welcomed by the Dennis family and friends and supporters of the chair.聽
Commenting on the meaning of the occasion, Sarah Dennis says: 鈥淔or me it鈥檚 about families. It鈥檚 the loss of a beloved member of our family and the support we鈥檝e gotten from families since William鈥檚 death. I think it鈥檚 about trying to help other families in Atlantic Canada. It鈥檚 the Dal family, it鈥檚 the Esser family coming here. It really is about families.鈥�
In 2002, Ms. Dennis鈥� brother William died suddenly, at the age of 30, from complications related to an epileptic seizure. The $3.5-million fundraising goal for the Chair鈥攖he first of its kind in Canada鈥攚as realized thanks to a $2.3-million gift from the Dennis family and the generosity of other donors. William鈥檚 father, Graham Dennis, observes: 鈥淚 think you鈥檝e got to return to society what it鈥檚 given you.鈥澛�
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| Dr. Michael Esser. (Danny Abriel Photo) |
鈥淚t鈥檚 unique in Canadian medicine and in Canadian research to be offered this opportunity,鈥� says Dr. Esser, who was greeted in remarks by Ms. Dennis, AV俱乐部 president Dr. Tom Traves and Dean of Medicine Dr. Harold Cook. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great melding of individual sponsorship and family sponsorship and two fine institutions, the IWK and AV俱乐部, coming together with a unified goal 鈥� to help kids.鈥�
Dr. Esser, who will be based at the IWK Health Centre, has a cross-appointment with AV俱乐部鈥檚 pediatrics and pharmacology departments. In addition to carrying out basic science and clinical research, he will work to increase public awareness of epilepsy.
Dr. Cook says it surprises people how frequently epilepsy appears in the population and at various stages of life. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot we do not know about its origins, and even the best treatments in some areas are still somewhat experimental.鈥�
He says understanding the basic underlying science and correlating that with clinical observations will ultimately lead to improved care.