Epilepsy awareness charity launches 'Purple Day ' campaign

The charity 'Voice for Epilepsy ' had launched a 'Purple Day ' campaign in Birmingham on 26 March following a global initiative.

Residents and businesses in Birmingham are asked to support the campaign by 'turning their world purple ' by swapping work wear for something purple and share photos on social media platforms.

The aim of the campaign is to bring widespread understanding around the impact on children and families living with epilepsy, including conditions like seizures and the threat of seizures; coping with medication side-effects and possible impacts on learning and behaviours.

Other ways public could take part are dying their hair purple, making purple cakes, face painting, slime some body purple, light building in purple etc.

Purple Day was founded in 2008, by nine-year-old Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, Canada. Motivated by her own struggles with epilepsy, Cassidy started Purple Day in an effort to get people talking about the condition and to let those impacted by seizures know that they are not alone. She named the day Purple Day after the internationally recognised colour for epilepsy, lavender.

Purple was chosen to represent the day based on the colour lavender and it is the international colour for epilepsy. The lavender flower is often associated with solitude, which unfortunately remains representative of the feelings of many who feel isolation due to their epilepsy and seizure disorders.

During the day, Chamber patrons Aston University will be lighting their librabry in purple while Queen Elizabeth Hospital, council staff, have also joined the campaign. Capital Radio will promote the campaign for along with Ed James on Heart FM.

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