Brain Disorders
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes unprovoked and recurrent seizures. While some people living with epilepsy can manage seizures through existing treatments, about 30–40 percent of epilepsy patients are treatment resistant. In addition to imposing a high social cost, seizures have the potential to cause physical harm, negative changes in the brain, and, in rare cases, death. Though epilepsy is considered common, research is underfunded, and investment lags behind other neurological conditions.
In 2016, SPARC developed a Giving Smarter Guide to provide an overview of epilepsy research and funding. The guide highlights key research areas that—if sufficiently funded—could yield breakthroughs in treating epilepsy.
Pediatric brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in children. SPARC’s Giving Smarter Guide outlines key opportunities for philanthropy to strengthen research infrastructure and transform care for young patients.
SPARC released an updated road map for implementing T1D autoantibody screening, highlighting progress, ongoing challenges, and opportunities for collaboration to expand screening in the general population.
Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in children and teens. A transformative philanthropic gift is now reshaping the field by supporting new therapies, patient care, and collaborative research.