March 26th, 2009 is Purple Day!
To end the fear and feelings of being “alone” when disclosing epilepsy, ten year old Cassidy Megan has created a national movement.
Until last year, ten year old Cassidy never talked about her epilepsy, fearing negative reactions, she felt isolated and alone. After an education presentation at her school, she began to talk about her seizures to classmates. The spirited girl convinced her school to designate March 26 as “Purple Day for Epilepsy”, when everyone would be encouraged to wear purple to support epilepsy. Cassidy has become a national spokesperson for children with epilepsy.
The Canadian Epilepsy Alliance is launching Purple Day-March 26th as a National Empowerment day to raise awareness of epilepsy in support of children, their families and adults affected by the disorder. With the cooperation from epilepsy organizations around the world, it has become a global initiative.
We hope that our members will put on their idea hats and help us generate excitement that will make Purple Day a success and ultimately create more understating and awareness surrounding epilepsy.
We will be encouraging schools and other organizations across British Columbia to participate in Purple Day and offering our short educational DVD for Purple Day on March 26. We are also available for First Aid presentations to schools in-classrooms to support children, parents and teachers who would like to learn more about epilepsy.
Purple Day PSA in the Works
The Center for Epilepsy & Seizure Education is partnering with Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia and other member agencies of the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance to produce a public service announcement (psa) for radio and television to promote Purple Day on March 26th. The PSA is set to be released by the beginning of March which is also Epilepsy Awareness Month. The PSA will be aired Canada wide to encourage people to come out and wear purple in support of epilepsy on March 26th.
How you can get involved:
- Encourage your school or your child’s classroom to hold an event: Create posters, arrange for the airing of the playground first aid video, fundraise-sell epilepsy awareness wrist bands for Purple Day
- Wear purple and encourage your friends, family and colleagues to do so as well
- Let us and the media know what your event is for Purple Day
- Create an event at your place of business or work: Display purple balloons, wear a purple wig!, hold a contest for best Purple Day outfit
- Send e mails to your friends and family asking them to wear Purple on March 26th
- Ask your friends to forward an Email in support of Purple Day to their friends and so on
- Create a “Support Purple Day-March 26th” signature on your e mail
- Post information about Purple Day on internet blogs
- Call or Email your MLA & MP to encourage them to wear purple also!
B.C. residents, call The Center for Epilepsy and Seizure Education office at 604-853-7399 Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm and order free materials for Purple Day. Email us at epilepsy.support@telus.net with your item request and mailing information or fax it to us at 604-853-7336
In partnership with the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance, Purple Day materials have been created. Pictured below are items you can distribute at your school, church or place of work. And remember to wear purple on Thursday March 26th and encourage those around you to support Purple Day!
