People’s Choice Award 2026 Bronze £500,000 - 1Million
The aim of the campaign
Dravet Syndrome UK's ‘Love is’ campaign was launched with the aim of encouraging our supporters and their networks to either give a one off donation or become a Friend of Dravet Syndrome UK by becoming a regular donor. At the heart of the campaign was this powerful film telling the story of five-year old Etta – a brave young girl whose life has been shaped by Dravet Syndrome.
The film
The film offers an intimate view into the daily challenges faced by Etta and her parents Lucie and Jo and the vital support Dravet Syndrome UK provides. We wanted the film to be a stark contrast to the films we have produced previously by focusing on the more challenging aspects of caring for a child with Dravet Syndrome with the aim of driving viewers into action to support our cause financially.
It highlights how families like Etta’s organise every hour around seizures: an emergency bag always by the door, medication alarms punctuating the day and trips carefully planned by the nearest hospital. Simple acts, even tucking Etta into her bed at night, can be fraught with worry and heartache. This is the devastating reality for families who are living with Dravet Syndrome.
About Dravet Syndrome
Dravet Syndrome is a rare, life-long and life limiting neurological condition, which affects one in every 15,000 babies in the UK. It causes severe epilepsy and a range of co-occurring difficulties such as problems with mobility, speech and language, cognition and behaviour, and sleeping and eating.
There is currently no cure for the condition and those affected require 24/7 care for life. Dravet Syndrome UK is here to make sure no family has to face these challenges alone. The charity provides support, education and research that brings hope for a better future.
Outcomes to date
The ‘Love is’ campaign calls on supporters to become Friends of Dravet Syndrome UK by signing up to give a regular donation. To date the campaign has increased Dravet Syndrome UK's regular donors by 15% since it launched on 3 November 2025 and the film has been viewed over 30,000 times across our social media channels.
Dravet Syndrome is a devastating and life-limiting neurological condition affecting around 1 in 15,000 babies in the UK. As well as severe, difficult-to-control seizures, Dravet Syndrome encompasses intellectual disability and a spectrum of associated conditions (known as ‘comorbidities’), which may include autism, ADHD, behaviours that challenge and difficulties with speech, mobility, feeding and sleep. Every child or adult living with Dravet Syndrome is different, with some affected more severely than others, or with a different emphasis across symptoms and comorbidities. But for all, the condition is complex and can be highly unpredictable.
Dravet Syndrome UK (DSUK) was created in 2008 by a group of parents who came together looking for support, resources and information relating to Dravet Syndrome. Today we support over 550 families across the UK. We are an independent charity and the only UK organisation dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by Dravet Syndrome
Our mission
To bring hope to UK families living with Dravet Syndrome through support, education and medical research
Our strategic objectives
1. Every family counts
Every UK family living with Dravet Syndrome will be aware of DSUK and the support available, be enabled to access this support as required, and know that all activities and research are driven by the things that matter most to them.
2. Leaders in the field
DSUK will lead the conversation about Dravet Syndrome in the UK, making the best possible use of its research funds, collaborating internationally as opportunities arise, and developing an authoritative global voice.
3. Support for professionals
We will seek to broaden the range of health and social care professionals with an improved understanding of Dravet Syndrome, enabling earlier diagnosis and providing accessible pathways to the best possible treatment and care for all ages.
4. Empowerment of families
Families living with Dravet Syndrome will know and understand their rights and feel empowered to assert these rights to get the support they need.
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Please register using the form below.
This helps us to stop voting abuse and also enables us to communicate the finalists and winners to everyone who voted. We will not pass this information on to anyone else.