The Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba has received a $2 million commitment to help bring epilepsy treatment to Winnipeg.

Michael Schlater, CEO of Domino's Pizza of Canada, and his wife, Lilibeth, decided to make this generous donation after discovering Manitoba's currrent lack of formal epilepsy treatment programs.

In fact, Dr. Terry Klassen Medical Director, Child Health Program, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and CEO & Scientific Director, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba states "Manitoba currently has no formal Epilepsy Monitoring Unit or Epilepsy-trained neurologists for comprehensive investigation and treatment of children with epilepsy."

"The difference Lilibeth and Michael Schlater's donation will make is outstanding."

At the age of five, Michael Schlater's daughter experienced her first seizure. Schlater himself seized at the age of forty-seven.

The donation will be used to develop and establish a Paediatric Epilepsy and Paediatric Neurosurgery program for the Children's Hospital, including a Paediatric Epilepsy Surgery program, which will include the hiring of specialized Neurologists and additional support staff, implementing a two-bed monitoring system, and the purchasing of state-of-the-art equipment. Epilepsy-focused teaching and education will also be provided for caregivers, patients, and the general public.

The funds will also relieve financial pressure related to the required out-of-province travel for epileptic patients seeking treatment.

Epilepsy is a chronic condition that affects individuals of all ages, and is characterized by repetitive and unpredictable seizures. It is the fourth most common neurological disorder.

According to Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living, Kelvin Goertzen, there are 9,000 patients currently living with epilepsy within the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.

The program is expected to begin receiving patients in 2018.