Reporter Mark McAllister Opens Up about his 2011 On-Air Seizure that Led to an Epilepsy Diagnosis

Focus Ontario: Inside Epilepsy Airs Saturday at 5:30pm ET with News Hour Coverage Beginning March 11

TORONTO, March 7, 2013 – Global Toronto is breaking the silence that surrounds epilepsy with the Focus Ontario: Inside Epilepsy coverage special. Running in conjunction with Epilepsy Awareness Month, this special coverage will tackle the issues and educate viewers by casting aside misinformation associated with the disorder. Focus Ontario: Inside Epilepsy airs March 9 at 5:30 PM ET.

A half-hour long feature, Focus Ontario: Inside Epilepsy will provide an in-depth look at the medical efforts to understand, treat, and explain the disorder that affects one in every 100 Canadians. The coverage special will share personal stories of those living with epilepsy and highlight the challenges of spreading awareness due to the stigma of this condition. Mark McAllister will also share his personal journey of being diagnosed with epilepsy and the fallout of his much-publicized March, 2011 on-air seizure that led to this discovery.

“Through Global Toronto’s Focus Ontario coverage special, we are providing viewers with an intimate look a epilepsy and the misconceptions associated with the disorder,” says Dave Trafford, News Director, Global Toronto. “We have been proud to support Mark as he has come to learn about the disorder, and are pleased to help raise awareness at this pivotal time during Epilepsy Awareness Month.”

A special preview of Focus Ontario: Inside Epilepsy will air tonight, Thursday, March 7 on Global Toronto’s News Hour with a feature airing Friday, March 8 at 5:30pm ET. In addition to the preview, News Hour will also follow-up with a three-part series airing Monday, March 11 to Wednesday, March 13 with highlights including research into treatment options for people living with epilepsy, the tools needed to prevent, monitor and understand epilepsy, and support services offering assistance to friends and family members diagnosed with this condition.

Additional stories and content will also be made available exclusively on GlobalNews.ca.

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