UCB presents awards for epilepsy journalism

UCB has announced the winners of the 2011 Excellence in Epilepsy Journalism Award, an initiative that acknowledges writing that has helped to improve understanding of epilepsy worldwide.

Conducted in association with the International Bureau of Epilepsy (IBE), the competition attracted almost 50 entries from 24 countries this year, with winners picked by an independent seven-person judging panel.

In the print category, Maj My Midtgaard Humaidan from Denmark won for her article Living Amidst Seizures and Lack of Empowerment, while Ireland's Birthe Tonseth won the broadcast category for her RTE One programme Life with Epilepsy.

Meanwhile, Comfort Mussa from Cameroon claimed the online prize for Epilepsy Myths Promote Stigma, Prevent Care in Cameroon, an article that appeared on the Global Press Institute website.

Mike Glynn, award judge and president of the IBE, said: "Our hope is that over time, we can help to encourage more reporting that begins to break down these barriers to understanding and acceptance for many people living with epilepsy across the world."

Earlier this month, UCB launched the Parkinson's Well-Being Map, a special visual tool that aims to make it easier to monitor the progress of Parkinson's disease.