Raising awareness of epilepsy
Epilepsy Ireland with the support of Joe Schmidt are promoting Purple Day this year by encouraging buildings and businesses around the country to ‘turn purple’ to raise awareness of epilepsy on Tuesday, March 26th. Almost 40 well known Irish buildings will show their support for the cause including the Mansion House, UCC and Kilkenny Castle.
Purple Day was created in 2008 by nine-year old Cassidy Megan from Canada who had recently been diagnosed with epilepsy and wanted to find a way to start a conversation about her condition. From its beginnings at Cassidy’s school, the Day has since become an international grassroots effort which is dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy in over 100 countries. People are invited to wear purple and host purple-themed events in support of the condition. The goal of Purple Day is to dispel myths around epilepsy and to inform those with seizures that they are not alone.
Totalhealth Pharmacies are also offering 10% discounts in all their stores to anybody wearing a Purple Day wristband or with proof of text donation. Purple Day wristbands are available from selected Totalhealth stores, from www.epilepsy.ie or from volunteers around the country. Some terms and condition apply to this offer. Text donations can be made by texting “Epilepsy” to 50300 and donating €2 to Epilepsy Ireland.
There are many other ways you can show your support for Epilepsy Ireland and Purple Day:
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Share Purple Day themed social media content, for example post a photo of a building lit up purple or of friends and family wearing purple using #PurpleDay.
Epilepsy Ireland is the national organisation supporting and representing people with epilepsy, their families and carers. Established in 1966, the charity today provides a wide range of support and information services from head office in Dublin and from nine locations around the country, actively works to improve public understanding of epilepsy and funds high quality Irish research into the condition.
For more information on the condition log onto www.epilepsy.ie.