Rockies' Buddy Bell joins epilepsy partnership

Rockies' Buddy Bell joins epilepsy partnership

July 5, 2001

James Shore, Chancellor of the University of Colorado Health Science, Senate President Pro Tem Ed Perlmutter (D-Golden) and Colorado Epilepsy Foundation Board President Mary Rembold announced a partnership between CU Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) and the Epilepsy Foundation to educate and support residents outside the Denver-metro area about epilepsy. Buddy Bell, Colorado Rockies Manager.

The partnership is the culmination of a year-long effort among the groups to reach out to Colorado’s rural areas and educate folks about the prevention, detection and education of epilepsy.

The Denver-metro area is blessed with many resources for people with epilepsy and their families. However, when you "go to Craig, Lamar and Julesburg, people there are not as fortunate to have those resources," Perlmutter said. This partnership will bring much needed support and to those with epilepsy and their families in areas outside the metro area.

Rembold said that 40,000 Coloradans have seizure disorders, and this partnership will help enhance the quality of life for those outside the Denver area.

After being announced as an honorary member of the Epilepsy board, Bell played a game of catch with kids who had come in for the announcement. Bell gave up three runs in a half inning of work. However, he did treat the kids and their parents to a Rockies game later that night.

As part of the partnership, the Epilepsy Foundation has opened a satellite office in Grand Junction, staffed by Drene Stevens, to serve the Western Slope area.

The Western Slope Brain injury/Epilepsy Support Group meets the first Wednesday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at Radiken Towers, 875 Main Street in the main floor cafeteria in Grand Junction. The Delta-Montrose Brain Injury/Epilepsy Support Group meets the second Tuesday of the month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Delta Memorial Hospital, 100 Stafford Lane in the main floor board room. Both groups are open to all ages.

Contact Stevens for information about the support groups and other activities and services at (970) 640-3428,