Our Chief Executive, Lesslie Young looks at how Purple Day was created and how people can get involved.
On 26 March, tens of thousands of people around the globe will come together physically and digitally, to start conversations about epilepsy, raise awareness of the condition and fundraise. The aim: to make a difference to the lives of people affected by epilepsy.
Created by Cassidy Megan in 2008, Purple Day is an international epilepsy awareness day, motivated by her own challenges with epilepsy.
She introduced the idea of Purple Day to get people talking about the condition, to dispel the myths and inform those with seizures that they aren’t alone.
She decided to use the colour purple because lavender is the recognised international flower of epilepsy. It is said to symbolise isolation and loneliness, often associated with epilepsy.
Over the past 12 years, It has evolved into the global event used to raise awareness of the impact epilepsy can have on people’s lives.
Cassidy wanted to raise awareness but also to assure people with epilepsy they are not alone.
How you can get involved
No matter who or where you are on 26 March, everyone can enjoy being part of Purple Day. Whether you’re at school, work or just out and about there is something you can do.
It is also a fun way for the everyone to learn more about epilepsy by taking part in different activities to help raise awareness or fundraise by:
- Holding a bake sale at work or school
- Dress in purple for the day
- Organise a purple party for friends and neighbours
- Buy tickets to our Edinburgh Quiz Night
- Buy tickets to our Glasgow Quiz Night
- Sign up to the Supernova Run
- Sell purple ribbons
- Do a sponsored walk
- Organise a concert
- Do a skydive or zipslide and raise money
Or you can simply make a donation either on our website or our Facebook fundraiser.
Awareness days like Purple Day are so important to those living with epilepsy. Therefore, It would be fabulous if as many people as possible got involved in Purple Day in whatever way suits you and your colleagues or friend.
Furthermore, the more we talk about epilepsy, the more we can challenge common misconceptions about it and help everyone understand what epilepsy is, what living with it is like and develop a better understanding of the condition. Also, by sharing experiences and talking about living with epilepsy people can develop a better understanding. Let’s work together to do exactly that on Purple Day.
If you would like to get involved in Purple Day, please email fundraising@epilepsyscotland.org.uk or for fundraising ideas have a read of our fundraising pack.
