MEDIA RELEASE
TASMANIA LEADS THE WAY AND GOES PURPLE AGAIN
Tasmania is once again going purple! last year the Epilepsy Association of Tasmania encouraged people to wear purple and spread the word about epilepsy on Purple Day – 26 March. Now for the first time, next month’s Purple Day will be celebrated throughout Australia.
“Purple Day” was founded in 2008 by nine-year-old, Canadian, Cassidy Megan. Motivated by her own struggles with epilepsy, Cassidy created Purple Day to let other kids with the world’s most common serious brain disorder know they are not alone and help educate the public about epilepsy. She named the day after the internationally recognised color for epilepsy, lavender. Her grassroots effort has now gone global.
Approximately 5076 Tasmanians are living with epilepsy today, and around 18,000 will develop epilepsy during their life time and 50 million people worldwide (3-4%) will develop epilepsy in their life time. Yet, many people living with epilepsy face barriers due to a lack of awareness about the disorder. “I always thought I was the only one with epilepsy and I was afraid to tell people because I thought they would make fun of me,” says Cassidy.
The Epilepsy Association of Tasmania, is dedicated to educating the public about epilepsy, and is proud to be the official Tasmanian Purple Day partner. Epilepsy Tasmania has joined with epilepsy organisations from around the globe and country including Epilepsy Australia to make Purple Day even bigger. This year, the event coincides with a national epilepsy awareness campaign from 1 – 26 March.
“Purple Day is a powerful step toward demystifying the disorder that plagues many,” says Epilepsy Tasmania’s CEO, Reachelle Beasley. “For some, the stigma and misconceptions associated with epilepsy are worse than the condition itself.
“Epilepsy Tasmania celebrated Purple day for the first time last year and was amazed at the support from the schools and business community in wearing purple, coordinating Purple Day activities and raising funds. This year we are looking for more people, schools and businesses to support this great initiative and help spread the word about epilepsy,” she said.
Visit http://www.epilepsytasmania.org.au to learn more about Purple Day and to register your interest in supporting Purple Day, or contact Epilepsy Tasmania on 1300 852 853.
For over 16 years Epilepsy Tasmania has assisted Tasmanian families touched by epilepsy. Services include education, counseling, support, information services, and training in epilepsy first aid.
To register your interest and/or for more information, please call 1300 852 853 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit http://www.epilepsytasmania.org.au
Download:
CSA_Feb_-_Purple_Day_2011.pdfPurple_Day_Information.pdf
Show Comments
Comments (0)