Purple Day® for epilepsy taking place on March 26th
Purple Day®, the global grassroots event dedicated to raising funds and awareness for epilepsy worldwide, will take place on Saturday 26th March. Epilepsy Ireland is appealing to the Irish public to get behind the event, which has become the organisation’s flagship annual fundraising day.
In more than 85 countries across the globe, people will come together to support epilepsy organisations in thousands of fun and creative, purple-themed events.
In Ireland, businesses and volunteers across the country will be wearing purple and organising purple events, challenges, fun-runs and even head shaves to support the work of Epilepsy Ireland. Landmark buildings across the country will also be lit up purple, including George’s Quay Pyramids, the Rock of Cashel, Blackrock Castle, the Guinness Storehouse and more.
Epilepsy Ireland is the national organisation supporting and representing people with epilepsy and their families. Head of Fundraising & Development, Stephen Lowry, explains the work of Epilepsy Ireland, “We are there for people with epilepsy and their families from the time of diagnosis and throughout all the twists and turns that can be part of their journey living with the condition.
“Despite all the challenges brought about by the pandemic over the past two years, we have been unwavering in our mission to achieve a society where no person’s life is limited by epilepsy. Our determination to support and advocate for the needs of the 40,000 people with epilepsy has continued unabated and with the support of the Irish public this Purple Day®, we will continue to do so long into the future.”
The charity, which operates from 10 locations across the country, has experienced a 50% drop in fundraised income due to the pandemic and this year’s Purple Day® is the first, long-awaited opportunity to return to community-based fundraising in over two years.
“Our volunteer-led fundraising events are vital not only in supporting those affected by epilepsy in the community, but also in funding pioneering Irish epilepsy research, advocating for the needs of people with epilepsy and improving public understanding of the condition”, says Stephen Lowry.
To donate to the campaign, get your Purple Day® wristband or learn more about the work of Epilepsy Ireland, please visit www.epilepsy.ie. To find out more about how you can get involved in promoting Purple Day® in your community, workplace or school, email the Epilepsy Ireland team at fundraising@epilepsy.ie or call 01 4557500.
Purple Day is a Registered Trademark of The Anita Kaufmann Foundation. See Purpledayeveryday.org.
About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterised by a tendency to have recurring seizures. Nearly 40,000 people in Ireland have epilepsy including 10,000–15,000 people who are living with uncontrolled seizures. For this group in particular, the consequences of epilepsy can be long-lasting and significant. It can affect the person’s education, employment, social functioning, self-esteem and independent living. People with epilepsy must also cope with the physical impact of seizures, the side-effects of medications and for many, the social stigma and economic impact that can be associated with it. Its individualised impact on those who live with it means that it is often considered as a hidden disability. There is also an increased risk of mortality associated with epilepsy with an estimated 130 epilepsy-related deaths in Ireland each year.
About Epilepsy Ireland.
Epilepsy Ireland’s vision is to achieve a society where no person’s life is limited by epilepsy. Since 1966, we have remained committed to working for, and meeting the needs of everyone with epilepsy in Ireland, their families, and carers. Our key aims include:
- To provide quality and relevant support, information & advice, meeting the needs of people with epilepsy, their families and carers, professionals and the wider community.
- To raise awareness and to improve public understanding of epilepsy; and to advocate for the rights of those with epilepsy, their families and carers.
- To provide relevant training and education services to people with epilepsy, their families, and healthcare and other professionals.
- To undertake, encourage, fund and communicate research into the causes of, cures for and management of epilepsy and into the social and psychological effects of the condition.
About Purple Day ®
Purple Day® is an international grassroots campaign founded by Canadian woman, Cassidy Megan. The day sees people across the world encouraged to wear purple in the name of epilepsy awareness and well-known buildings across the globe also light up purple in recognition of the estimated 50 million people living with epilepsy across the globe.
Purple Day® is a Registered Trademark of The Anita Kaufmann Foundation.
For more on Purple Day®, see Purpledayeveryday.org.