Ottawa, Ontario – March is Epilepsy Awareness Month and 11-year-old Cassidy Megan of Halifax who lives with epilepsy, created Purple Day for Epilepsy (Purple Day) to increase awareness and dispel myths about one of Canada’s most common neurological disorders.  

Tilly O’Neill Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, find this is an extraordinary initiative and wanted to send out these information.

“Purple Day helps Canadians understand that not all seizures are the same, and that people with epilepsy are ordinary people just like everybody else,” said Cassidy Megan, the founder of Purple Day.  “Purple Day also reminds people living with epilepsy that they aren’t alone. That’s why we wear purple, the international colour for epilepsy.”

Epilepsy affects 300,000 people in Canada and 50 million people worldwide, which is more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease combined. Despite its prevalence, epilepsy isn’t well-understood and people with epilepsy continue to face social stigma and discrimination. 

When people know more about different kinds of seizures, and how to help someone having a seizure, they immediately become more receptive to seeing the person with epilepsy as an ordinary individual.  Purple Day reminds Canadians that people living with epilepsy need understanding and acceptance, and deserve comprehensive care and access to innovative treatment options to effectively manage their disorder.

Purple Day increases awareness, reduces stigma and empowers individuals living with epilepsy to take action in their communities.  Canadians are encouraged to learn more about epilepsy throughout the month of March, culminating with Purple Day on March 26.  Fifteen countries will be participating in the 2010 Purple Day activities, with participants around the world supporting epilepsy by wearing purple or by getting involved in a Purple Day awareness or fundraising event.



About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a group of disorders of the central nervous system, specifically the brain.  Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures and can occur at any age. A seizure occurs when the normal electrical balance in the brain is lost. The brain's nerve cells misfire, either firing when they shouldn't or not firing when they should. The type of seizure depends on how many cells fire and which area of the brain is involved. A person that has a seizure may experience an alteration in behaviour, consciousness, movement, perception and/or sensation. Epilepsy is not contagious, and is rarely fatal.

About Purple Day
Purple Day for Epilepsy (Purple Day) is held each year on March 26 and is dedicated to raising awareness about epilepsy by reducing stigma and empowering individuals living with epilepsy to take action in their communities. It was founded in 2008 by nine-year-old Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, and named after the internationally recognized colour for epilepsy, lavender.  Purple Day was launched internationally in 2009.  For more information, please visit www.purpleday.org.