Joint Epilepsy Council (JEC) - Members

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This organisation was founded in 2004 by Emma Williams through her own experiences with her son Matthew and the successful use of the Ketogenic Diet to treat his seizures.

Matthew's Friends is the only UK charity dedicated solely to the field of Dietary Treatments for Epilepsy. Together with their highly respected medical board chaired by Professor Helen Cross from Great Ormond Street Hospital, Matthew's Friends has grown at an incredible rate over the past few years. The charity is now International with global experts working with the group to provide the latest information possible. They have a branch working in South Africa as well as being involved with and supporting over 20 other countries worldwide in the use of these diets. They fund dietetic posts within the NHS in the UK, they also put funding into medical research into the use of these dietary treatments and they fund individual patients both children and adults. They also facilitate and fund National and International conferences, workshops and training programmes for both professional and patient, they have set up a Patient Sponsorship programme in South Africa and they also provide an extensive website, printed material, patient files and have a telephone helpline available 365 days per year. They provide a ketogenic recipe service for patient and professional to use as well social activities for families. There are also 8 UK Regional Co-ordinators for Matthew's Friends supporting local ketogenic services and the organisation works with all the Epilepsy Groups - if anyone needs information on the Dietary Treatments for Epilepsy they will provide it.

Emma is the parent representative for KetoPAG (Ketogenic Professional Advisory Group for the UK and Ireland) and is the International Patron for DESI (Dietary Treatments for Epilepsy in India), she has been asked to speak around the world on the work of Matthew's Friends and the Ketogenic Diet. Emma and the Matthew's Friends medical board are now working on their next goal which is to open their very own Centre to provide all the different dietary treatments for epilepsy for both children and adults.

JEC Members > Matthew's Friends

JEC Members