Purple, lavender and isolation

help people out of

a lonely situation

Purple Day

every 26 March

Purple Day – 26 March will be the official day that increases awareness of epilepsy all across the globe.  So what has the colour purple got to do with epilepsy?

Well the answer is that lavender is the international colour for epilepsy.  Why?  Because the lavender flower is often related to the isolation and loneliness that people suffering from the condition often feel.

The colour was actually chosen by a girl called Cassidy Megan, who launched the day with the help of the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia.  The aim is for people suffering to feel less alone!

The reason its so important to get this message spreading around the world is because 50 million people suffer from the epilepsy worldwide.  An MP in Canada has even introduced the Purple Day Act to parliament in Canada!

Unfortunately there is often a stigma attached to epilepsy – a stigma that needs to be eradicated.  While some people will remember their seizure, and others will have no memory of it happening, depending on the type of seizure that they have encountered.  Although there is no cure currently, avoiding triggers is said to help.

Triggers include stress, a bad sleeping pattern, exposure to flashing lights and forgetting to take medication.

So what can you do to help?  You could become an Ambassador of Purple where you live.  This basically means getting your purple gear on and educating loved ones and local politicians about epilepsy.

Whether you decide to be an ambassador or not, you can still get your purple clothes on.  You could even paint yourself purple or learn the quick facts about epilepsy by visiting the Purple Day website.  That way you can help raise awareness and show people you know what you’re talking about!

Plan a fundraising event, any sort of event that involves the colour purple, whether it be a bake sale with purple cupcakes or something else you can think of!