At the time of this report, approximately 30 to 40 percent of epilepsy patients were treatment resistant. The most catastrophic forms of epilepsy occur in very young children and have a lifelong negative impact on patients, families, and communities. Still, there are no disease-modifying therapies for epilepsy, while approximately 30 to 40 percent of epilepsy patients are treatment resistant and live with uncontrollable seizures. According to an Institute of Medicine report, this group is also at a higher risk of mortality, having a 20 times higher rate of sudden unexpected death compared to the general population. 

The Center for Strategic Philanthropy has developed this Epilepsy Giving Smarter Guide with the express purpose of empowering patients, supporters, and stakeholders to make informed, strategic decisions when directing their philanthropic investments and energy into research and development efforts.