PURPLE DAY FOR EPILEPSY

PURPLE DAY FOR EPILESPY

AIM=

·        Dispel myths

·        Give hope

·        Promote education

·        Help employment

·        Facilitate marriage

·        Overcome epilepsy

It was founded in 2008, by nine-year-old Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, Canada, with the help of the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia. Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. On March 26, people from around the globe are asked to wear purple and spread the word about epilepsy.

Why? Epilepsy affects over 50 million people worldwide. That’s more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease combined. In India there would be about 12 million people with epilepsy.

Why purple? Lavender is the international colour for epilepsy. The lavender flower is also often associated with solitude, which is representative of the feelings of isolation felt by persons with epilepsy. In 2009, the New York-based Anita Kaufmann Foundation and Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia joined forces to launch Purple Day internationally.