Medikidz Explain Seizure Assistance Dogs is part of an educational comic book series
Eisai has launched a competition in the US to find a child with epilepsy who will feature in a comic book to help young people understand the condition.
The Japan-based pharma company has teamed up with educational comic book makers Medikidz on ‘Search for the Next Medikidz Star’, which aims to identify a child who will star in the next instalment of the Medikidz Explain Epilepsy comic book series.
The peer-reviewed Medikidz series of comics uses the action adventure world of its superhero characters to explain illnesses and treatments to children. The company has more than 100 titles so far, dealing with conditions such as diabetes, HIV and stroke.
The Medikidz Explain Epilepsy series was first launched in December 2013 to help educate children about epilepsy and address misunderstandings associated with the disease.
Eisai has committed to supporting three additional books in the series, including Medikidz Explain Seizure Assistance Dogs, which was launched last week, and a third book to feature the winner of Search for the Next Medikidz Star.
Joel Wilcox, who, along with his dog Flame, was the inspiration for the Medikidz Explain Seizure Assistance Dogs, said: “Now the other kids at school can understand what I go through every day.”
He added: “I think it is awesome that the ‘Search for the Next Medikidz Star’ now gives another child living with epilepsy the chance to star in a book and continue to teach others about living with epilepsy.”
This video explains how to become the next Medikidz Star
The contest is open to young people between the ages of 13 and 18 who have epilepsy. Entrants must submit a two minute video describe a circumstance where they have overcome a challenge or obstacle and why they should be the next Medikidz star.
Entries can be made on Eisai’s website www.advancingepilepsycare.com
Epilepsy is a relative new area of focus for Eisai, whose treatment options include Fycompa (perampanel), which was launched in Europe in 2012.