This year's Chatham-Kent Crowfest will be featuring a new element to help Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario (ESWO).
On Tuesday, the charity announced a new 50/50 draw at the event to support people who live with epilepsy.
The fundraising draw hopes to raise at least $15,000 for programming, according to ESWO.
"ESWO’s services are free and without government funding. This means, we rely heavily on fundraising efforts, donations, and assistance from the community to provide support, information and education to individuals and families affected by epilepsy," said ESWO spokesperson Sandra Pidduck in a news release. "Community support and fundraising events, such as this 50/50 draw, enable ESWO to provide services to the 1 in 100 people living with seizures across Southwestern Ontario."
ESWO noted epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions, adding 50 million people worldwide suffer from the disorder, 300,000 of them in Canada.
"Rampant misinformation about epilepsy leads to bullying at schools, blatant discrimination in the workplace and social marginalization," Pidduck said. "Many people with epilepsy hide their medical condition for fear that revealing their epilepsy will cause them to lose their job or friends. Amidst this silence, the myths about epilepsy continue unchallenged and this untenable situation remains. ESWO enhances the lives of people who are affected by epilepsy by providing a network of services that educate, support and build community awareness."
Click here for tickets in advance of Crowfest.
Tickets can also be bought at all Crowfest events using cash or credit.
Crowfest runs from September 18 to 21 in downtown Chatham.
The draw will be held September 21 at 5 p.m. at 216 King Street West in Chatham.