Purple Day promotes understanding, education, and compassion for epileptics by raising awareness of a condition that affects millions worldwide.
Purple Day is a grassroots festival that is pointed toward raising overall consciousness of epilepsy, a condition that effects north of 65 million individuals worldwide. Epilepsy is a neurological condition that often starts in childhood and causes seizures. It is sometimes misunderstood, which can make it difficult to interact with others. Purple Day's goal is to educate people who don't understand epilepsy and to help epilepsy sufferers understand that they are not alone.
It only made sense that purple would be the color of choice for this significant day of recognition and awareness because lavender is the international color for epilepsy and also represents solitude.
Some information about Purple Day's history: Nine-year-old Cassidy Megan from Canada started Purple Day in 2008 because she had epilepsy herself. The Anita Kaufmann Foundation of New York and the Epilepsy Association of The Maritimes (EAM) of Canada gave Cassidy support for her efforts, and the day eventually became a global event.
In point of fact, Purple Day quickly gained popularity! At least 100,00 students, 95 workplaces, and 116 politicians attended the celebration in 2009, the celebration's second year of existence.
From that point the day just continued to develop. It's hard to believe that Purple Day made its way to Disney World only ten years later, in 2019! Supported by the Epilepsy Underpinning of Focal Florida, Purple Day imparted the wizardry to numerous members. Cassidy Megan, the person who started the day, showed up in a purple evening gown, of course, and met Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
Today, Purple Day is observed in over 100 nations, including India, Australia, South Africa, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others. However, the fact that Canada is currently the only nation whose government officially recognizes this day is significant in that it was enacted with the Purple Day Act on June 28, 2012.
How to Celebrate Purple Day Not only is celebrating this day fun, but it is also important for bringing attention to this difficult neurological disorder. Give these suggestions a shot or come up with your own to help the cause:
Wear Purple Obviously, picking something purple from the closet and putting it on is one of the easiest ways to celebrate Purple Day. Certainly, a purple dress, shirt, pants, or hat will suffice. Alternately, try dressing entirely in purple!
With purple lipstick, purple eyeshadow, or purple face glitter, you might want to think outside the box. For the individuals who are more dedicated to the reason, purple hair color could have an immense effect.
A Purple Day t-shirt can be accessed on the official website for those who wish to commemorate the occasion by donning one.
Organize a Purple Day Event In support of Purple Day, hold a special coffee morning, a quiz night, or a murder mystery evening. All of these can be done in person or online.) For bringing together friends, family, and coworkers for an awareness event, the Epilepsy Society of the UK provides simple resources.
Think about the things people have done in the past to support Purple Day for more creative ideas. Some have done things like dye their hair purple, shave their heads completely, climb 1000 steps, or give up something they love for a month to raise money for the charity. Others have planned fun runs, walks, or rides (26 miles on the 26th is perfect!) to bring epilepsy sufferers into the public eye.
Alternately, you could dress in purple and host a fundraiser with a purple theme for EANS, The Anita Kaufman Foundation, or any other organization that works to raise awareness of epilepsy.
Learn More About Epilepsy Visit your neighborhood library to check out some books that will teach you interesting and useful facts about epilepsy. Additionally, there are a significant number of resources available on the internet to raise awareness of this condition.
Even just reading Cassidy Megan's story can help people gain a better understanding of the difficulties and triumphs associated with this condition. A great way to honor Purple Day is to do whatever you can to learn more about epilepsy and spread the word about it.
Be creative with Purple It's never too early to talk to kids about epilepsy, especially if you know someone who is going through it. Purple Day is a great opportunity for families and educators to encourage children to wear purple.
But more than that, it's a good chance to participate in amusing activities and talk about what the day is all about. For a better idea, give these crafts and activities a try:
Create basic geometric shapes in art class and then mix purple paint with white and black to see the many different shades of purple.
Take all of the purple shades of construction paper and give the kids safety scissors to cut out shapes and combine them into art for a less messy version.
Utilizing food coloring in red and blue, baking soda, and white vinegar, you can conduct a science experiment that results in a purple-fizz volcano. Of course, you should probably try it outside or in a place where it's easy to clean up!
Make Your Dinner Purple-Themed Purple foods can be hard to come by, but you can still eat a healthy meal that mostly uses purple. In addition to the fact that they are amusing to check out, yet purple food sources are stuffed brimming with healthy benefit!
What's on the menu for Purple Day? Indeed, eggplant may be the undeniable decision for the primary dish, while purple yams or purple carrots may be another choice (but a piece outlandish and perhaps harder to find). Try a purple kale (also known as redbor) salad or a purple cabbage slaw. Serve a purple fruit salad made with blackberries, purple grapes, blueberries, and purple acai berries to complete the meal.
Purple yogurt with berries can be a fun snack for people who don't want to cook a full meal. Consider grape juice, grape Kool-Aid, or grape Fanta soda as beverages.
Become a Purple Ambassador Anyone who wants to support Purple Day and raise awareness of epilepsy can become an "Ambassador of Purple." Wearing purple and educating friends and family about epilepsy are two of the responsibilities of this position.
In 2017, Anita Kauffman, one of Purple Day's early supporters, initiated the establishment of a Guinness World Record for the largest epilepsy training session ever. The Purple Day Walk was held alongside the event, which took place at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, USA.
Epilepsy Awareness Day, also known as Purple Day, is an annual event that takes place on March 26. Its goal is to make people more aware of this brain disorder and to get rid of the fear and stigma associated with it. You probably know someone who has epilepsy because there are over 50 million people worldwide and over 3.5 million people in the United States who have been diagnosed with the condition. The good news is that epilepsy can be easily managed if it is correctly diagnosed and treated, so it is important to raise awareness and conduct research. Join one of the grassroots campaigns right now to make your community more aware!
When is Purple Day of Awareness for Epilepsy in 2023?
On March 26, Epilepsy Day is observed annually.
HISTORY OF EPILEPSY AWARENESS/PURPLE DAY Cassidy Megan, a Canadian from Nova Scotia, established Epilepsy Awareness Day with its inaugural event on March 26, 2008. She realized the significance of everyone understanding this common neurological disorder, motivated by her own diagnosis and struggles with epilepsy. She set up a way for people to learn about epilepsy, get involved, support the public's education about it, and dispel the myths and fears about it.
Electrical disturbances in the brain are what cause epilepsy, which manifests as a variety of seizures. It has resulted in numerous erroneous assumptions and even laws regarding the disease and the capabilities of those who live with it because it can be a frightening condition for those who do not understand what is happening. After migraines, strokes, and Alzheimer's, it is the fourth most common neurological disorder. According to estimates, epilepsy affects one in 26 Americans at some point in their lives.
Purple Day was established in 2009 by the Anita Kaufmann Foundation and the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia. The day's purpose was brought to a greater level of public awareness and organized campaigns throughout the United States and around the world. At Purple Day events that same year, over 100,000 students, 95 workplaces, and 116 politicians participated.
Since acquiring the Purple Day trademark in 2011, the Anita Kaufmann Foundation has grown in size.
EPILEPSY AWARENESS / PURPLE DAY Some Important Dates: 1067–1046 B.C. The First Documentation The earliest known medical texts that describe the signs, symptoms, and types of seizures associated with the condition that we now know as epilepsy are written.
Matter of the Brain 460–377 B.C. Hippocrates was the first to identify epilepsy as a medically treatable brain disease.
Mid-1800s
First Medicine Accessible
Bromide is first delivered as a viable prescription for controlling seizures.
Bromide is first made available as an effective seizure control medication in the middle of the 1800s.
2017 Breaking Records On Purple Day, the Anita Kaufmann Foundation hosted the largest epilepsy training session ever, which set a Guinness World Record.
By the numbers, 50 million people worldwide suffer from epilepsy.
80% - the level of individuals with epilepsy who dwell in low-or center pay nations.
The percentage of epileptics who can receive effective treatment is 70%.
three times more likely to die young in epileptics.
The total number of epileptic individuals living in low-income nations who do not receive the necessary treatment is 34.
The proportion of epilepsy cases that can be avoided is 25%.
EPILEPSY AWARENESS / PURPLE DAY Frequently Asked Questions How many distinct types of seizures are there?
There are more than 40 different kinds of seizures. There aren't always convulsions or jerky body movements in seizures. Instead, some people are referred to as "vacant," meaning that they are in a state of trance or confusion.
How does epilepsy diagnosis work?
Epilepsy cannot be diagnosed with a single test. Epilepsy can be diagnosed in several ways, including: electroencephalogram (EEG), computed tomography (CT), blood glucose testing, electrolyte and calcium testing, and so on.
Epilepsy is caused by what?
As often as possible, epilepsy introduces itself after a cerebrum injury or injury, stroke, or a mind disease. However, the cause of over half of epilepsy cases is unknown.
How to Celebrate Purple Day and Epilepsy Awareness Day? Take part in a local or national event. More and more cities are hosting events to celebrate Epilepsy Awareness Day. Find out what's going on in your area and get your friends and family involved. "Anyone with a brain can help those with epilepsy" serves as the organization's adage. Therefore, YOU can assist today!
Wear purple! Now is the time to don your favorite purple pants, shoes, or shirt! Don't stop at the basics; show your support by wearing fun accessories like jewelry, a hat, or a tie.
Apply to be a Purple Day Ambassador through the Anita Kaufmann Foundation if you cannot find an event planned for Epilepsy Awareness Day in your city. Not only on Epilepsy Awareness Day, but also on other days, Purple Day Ambassadors organize grassroots events in their workplace, school, church, and the community as a whole! Visit www.purpledayeveryday.org for fun and original ideas for your project and to apply to be an ambassador.
Some ways to help someone who is having a seizure Prevent injuries: If someone is having a seizure or is about to have one, keep sharp objects away from them, take off their glasses if they wear them, and, if at all possible, put a pillow or your leg under their head.
To avoid dangers of choking, try to turn the person over so they don't drink too much and don't put anything in their mouth.
Time the seizure Keep track of how long it lasted and promptly notify the person and medical personnel.
Call for help if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes or if the person gets hurt during the seizure; otherwise, once the seizure is over and the person is able to speak, they may need help calling loved ones.
Remain calm Even though it can be frightening to be in the presence of a seizure, keep in mind that most seizures will stop on their own within a few minutes. Knowing how to assist someone will allow you to remain focused and provide meaningful support.
WHY EPILEPSY AWARENESS/PURPLE DAY IS IMPORTANT It raises awareness Despite the fact that the number of Americans with epilepsy is greater than that of those with autism spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy taken as a whole, epilepsy research receives only a sizable portion of the funding for other conditions. This condition receives the much-needed attention it deserves on Epilepsy Awareness Day.
It removes stigma and fear Education has the capacity to remove prejudice and fear. People who have epilepsy, especially those who live in less developed nations, are probably subjected to stigma and discrimination, which can be more difficult to deal with than the disease itself. Epilepsy Awareness Day makes a significant contribution to the education of people all over the world.
We adore purple!
Purple is said by nearly 40% of people to be their favorite color. According to some sources, purple-obsessed individuals are excellent humanitarians who are quick to assist those in need, making them ideal ambassadors for epilepsy education and support!
Frequently Asked Questions: Why is Purple Day designated as Epilepsy Day?
About Purple Day: In 2008, Canadian eight-year-old Cassidy Megan decided she wanted to help people with epilepsy understand that they are not alone and to raise awareness about the condition. Due to the fact that lavender is widely recognized as the flower that treats epilepsy, Cassidy chose the color purple to represent this day.
What does the color purple mean for epilepsy?
Because lavender is recognized as the international flower of epilepsy, Cassidy decided to use the color purple. Not only did Cassidy want to spread awareness, but she also wanted to reassure epileptics that they were not alone.
What is the variety code for epilepsy day?
Lavender, which is a color that represents solitude, is the international color for epilepsy.
What is Purple Day's significance?
For centuries, the color purple has been associated with wealth, power, and royalty. In fact, only close relatives of the royal family were permitted to wear it, according to Queen Elizabeth I. The price and rarity of the dye that was originally used to make purple contribute to its elite status.
Purple epilepsy?
Purple for Epilepsy: The majority of people have seen the color purple at events to raise money, on social media, and in educational materials about raising awareness of epilepsy.
