- Paul Shaffer understands that epilepsy is a very misunderstood condition and has kindly offered to volunteer his time again to help support Cassidy's March 26th Global Purple Day for Epilepsy Campaign.
- Since March 26, 2008, Purple Day has become a Global Campaign. Organizations from around the world have joined forces with Canadian Epilepsy Alliance, including the Canadian League Against Epilepsy, the Anita Kaufmann Foundation, as well as epilepsy organizations in Britain, South Africa, Israel Argentina, India, Australia and many more!
- Our interactive website, www.purpleday.org, designed pro bono by a Boston company called Pearse Street Consulting is up and running. It's a comprehensive website with on-line discussion forums. Check it out! You will find lots of helpful information about epilepsy and also the agency nearest you to contact to get involved.
- We need help to spread the word about epilepsy awareness and Purple Day. Check out this letter from Cassidy and become a Purple Day Ambassador in your community!
- Watch Cassidy's Public Service Announcement for Purple Day (requires Apple Quicktime).
- Check out the Purple Day Proclamation from Canada's House of Commons.
Cassidy, a nine-year-old girl and member of the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia, started her campaign two weeks prior to March 26, 2008 by asking her principal if her school, in Nova Scotia, could have a Purple Day in support of epilepsy. The March 26 Purple Day for Epilepsy Campaign started after The Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia, member agency of the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance/ alliance canadienne de l'epilepsie, visited her school to do an educational presentation on epilepsy.
Prior to the presentation, Cassidy never talked about her epilepsy because she was afraid that people would make fun of her. After the presentation, Cassidy’s classmates starting asking her questions about her seizures. Once she started talking she decided to become a spokesperson for kids with epilepsy.
Lavender is the internationally recognized color associated with epilepsy and seizures. For Cassidy, lavender is really just another shade of purple so she called her campaign Purple Day for epilepsy.
The nine-year-old girl from Nova Scotia even had the courage to contact Paul Shaffer of "The Late Night with David Letterman Show”. Cassidy asked him to wear something purple for the show on March 26th, 2008. She wanted Purple Day to become an international event to help people understand epilepsy. Shaffer, a Canadian, is David Letterman’s musical director and sidekick. He wore a purple tie for the March 26th taping in support of Cassidy’s Purple Day campaign.
Not only did Paul Shaffer support her cause but also members of Parliament, their staffs, schools, universities, and various businesses nationally and internationally volunteered their support. Cassidy set up her Purple Day for Epilepsy Facebook Group which now has over 10,000 individual and agency members world-wide.
Cassidy was motivated to start this campaign because she wants other kids like her to know they’re not alone. She also wants people to understand they don’t have to be afraid if they witness a seizure,that all seizures are not the same and kids with epilepsy, for the most part, lead normal healthy lives.
Epilepsy affects nearly 300,000 people in Canada, almost 3,000,000 in the United States, and over 50,000,000 people worldwide. That's more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's disease combined! Yet many people living with epilepsy still face barriers due to a lack of awareness about the disorder. In fact, often persons with epilepsy suffer more from the attitudes of others than the actual seizures.
We want to help make Cassidy’s dream to come true by making this a global event for awareness of epilepsy. For more information on how to get your school, university or business involved please contact the local epilepsy agency in your area or dial 1-866-epilepsy.
Purple Day is March 26th - Wear your purple to support epilepsy awareness globally.
