LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - June 10, 2015) - Greg Grunberg ("Heroes Reborn," "Star Wars: The Force Awakens") and Rick Harrison ("Pawn Stars," "Pawnography") both know what it's like to be personally impacted by epilepsy. Grunberg's eldest adult son has epilepsy, and Harrison himself lived with devastating seizures until he was a teenager. Together, Grunberg and Harrison will be co-hosting the Epilepsy Foundation's first-ever "Talk About It for Epilepsy!" Netathon Presented by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Sunovion). The unique 12-hour live streaming event will be broadcast from Hollywood on June 27 and will raise awareness and funds supporting the Foundation's mission and the community it serves.

"When our oldest son was diagnosed with epilepsy, we felt isolated and alone. But then we found the Epilepsy Foundation, which to this day gives us hope and support," said Greg Grunberg. "To show my support for the people at the Epilepsy Foundation and those throughout this community who have supported us over the years, I am teaming up with Rick Harrison and engaging the Hollywood community to drive much needed conversation about epilepsy -- bringing the condition out of the shadows and honoring a community that deserves better awareness, understanding, and funding."

The Epilepsy Foundation's "Talk About It for Epilepsy!" Netathon Presented by Sunovion will feature stars from stage, screen, music, and comedy. The program will include information to educate the epilepsy community and general public about seizures and epilepsy, as well as resources available. The Netathon is expected to raise thousands of dollars for the Epilepsy Foundation's programs and initiatives aimed at advancing access to care, funding research and new therapies, and enabling educational programs.

"As someone who lived with seizures as a teenager, I am passionate about increasing public awareness to help improve the lives of people who are affected by epilepsy," said Rick Harrison, a member of the Epilepsy Foundation national board of directors. "Through my work with the Epilepsy Foundation, I have experienced first-hand the amazing contributions the organization's programs and initiatives have made to the community; however, I know that there is still more to do. This is why Greg and I have partnered to present this unique form of Internet entertainment designed to educate about epilepsy and raise much needed support for the Foundation."

"Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological problem in the United States, but far too often, people are afraid to talk about it," said Philip M. Gattone, President and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. "'Talk About It for Epilepsy!' Presented by Sunovion will help increase public awareness, help break down the misperceptions surrounding epilepsy, and raise critical funds for the epilepsy community, including funding new therapies in a timeframe that matters to people fighting epilepsy. Together with Rick, Greg, and everyone who watches, we will broaden epilepsy awareness with the goal of helping people with seizures live to their fullest potential."

"We are proud to engage with the Epilepsy Foundation to support 'Talk About It for Epilepsy!', a program that strongly aligns with our commitment to improving the lives of people living with epilepsy," said Antony Loebel, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Sunovion. "Sunovion remains focused on addressing unmet needs in the epilepsy community. By supporting educational efforts, we hope to increase awareness about epilepsy and encourage people living with the condition to engage in conversations with their healthcare providers about appropriate treatment options."

Epilepsy -- a medical condition characterized by recurring seizures -- can affect anyone of any age at any time. Nearly 3 million people in the U.S. are living with epilepsy and seizures, and 1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy during their lifetime. More than one-third of people living with epilepsy continue to experience seizures, despite currently available treatments. As the price of seizure control, many live with diminished awareness, perception, reasoning, and judgment. Therefore, there is a need for new treatment options.

The 12-hour multimedia and entertainment extravaganza will be broadcast live from Hollywood on June 27, 2015, starting at noon Pacific time on epilepsy.com/netathon.

Celebrities asked to appear include:

• Band From TV

• Rob Benedict

• 5 For Fighting's Randy Cooke

• James Denton

• Jeff Garlin

• Bob Guiney

• Scott Grimes

• Kevin Heffernan

• Steve Lemme

• Jason Miller Band

• Kyle Newacheck

• Kevin Pereira

• Mary Lynn Rajskub

• Efren Ramirez

• The Shills

• Signal City

• Jesse Spencer

For more information, visit epilepsy.com/netathon.

About Epilepsy
When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, they are considered to have epilepsy. Epilepsy affects nearly 3 million people in the U.S. and 65 million worldwide. This year, another 150,000 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite all available treatments, four out of 10 people with epilepsy continue to experience uncontrolled seizures while many more experience less than optimal seizure control.

About the Epilepsy Foundation
The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with nearly 50 affiliated organizations throughout the United States, has led the fight against seizures since 1968. The Foundation is an unwavering ally for individuals and families impacted by epilepsy and seizures. The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is to stop seizures and SUDEP, find a cure, and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy, and research to accelerate ideas into therapies. The Foundation works to ensure that people with seizures have the opportunity to live their lives to their fullest potential. For additional information, please visit www.epilepsy.com.

"Like" the Epilepsy Foundation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/epilepsyfoundationofamerica and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/epilepsyfdn.

About Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Sunovion)
Sunovion is a leading pharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing therapeutic products that advance the science of medicine in the Psychiatry, Neurology and Respiratory disease areas to improve the lives of patients and their families. Sunovion, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., is headquartered in Marlborough, Mass. More information about Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. is available at www.sunovion.com.

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