The Victoria Epilepsy & Parkinson’s Centre celebrated Purple Day, 2010 by  sponsoring or participating in the following events:

Sunday, March 21, 1-2 p.m.

Once again, VEPC sponosred an event at the Beacon Hill Park Petting Zoo from 1-2 pm. The Acting Mayor of Victoria, Phillipe Lucas, read the proclamation acknowleging March 26 as Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness in Victoria. Light refreshments were available and there was lots of fun with the baby goats and other animals throughout the Children's Farm.

Thursday, March 25

On Thursday, March 25, the Minister of Health, Hon. Kevin Falcon introduced the delegation from the VEPC, who were sitting in the Public Gallery, in the Legislative Assembly and also read the Provincial Proclamation recognizing March 26th as Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness in the Province of BC. We met with the Minister

Thursday, March 25th, 7:30 p.m.

Also on Thursday, Dr. Ruth Simkin launched her book The Jagged Years of Ruthie J. with a signing event at the Ambrosia Conference and Event Centre, 638 Fisgard St.

Victoria's Dr. Ruth Simkin has been known as a pioneering family practitioner, palliative care physician and advocate for women's health in communities across Canada, particularly Calgary and Victoria, BC. But up until now, her own story of adversity at the hands of a dysfunctional health system and survival despite staggering odds has been a tale her patients and clients could hardly have guessed. Now in a stirring memoir, The Jagged Years of Ruthie J., Dr. Simkin shares the wrenching story of her teen years when adolescent rebellion coupled with a diagnosis of epilepsy resulted in her institutionalization in an American mental hospital. Traumatized by a sadistic psychiatrist, later himself committed, she struggles to retain her sanity in an environment of utter lunacy.

Purple Day Canada Background

About Purple Day - Purple Day is a grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. On March 26th, people from around the globe are asked to wear purple and spread the word about epilepsy.

Purple Day was founded in 2008 by nine-year-old Cassidy Megan of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Motivated by her own experience with epilepsy, Cassidy started Purple Day in an effort to get people talking about the disorder and to inform those with seizures that they are not alone. She named the day Purple Day after the internationally recognized color for epilepsy, lavender.

The first Purple Day was a great success. From students in classrooms around the world to Paul Shaffer of the Late Show with David Letterman, people wore purple to spread the word.

This year, the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance/Alliance canadienne de l’epilepsie has teamed up with epilepsy organizations from around the globe to help make Purple Day 2010 even bigger. The Anita Kauffman Foundation in the United States and epilepsy agencies from as far as South Africa, Britain and Israel have already joined the campaign. Monuments such as the CN Tower and Niagara Falls are being lit in purple on March 26th and people from around the globe are hosting Purple Day parties to support the cause.  
For more information, please visit www.purpleday.org.

The Canadian Epilepsy Alliance/Alliance canadienne de l'epilepsie

About The Canadian Epilepsy Alliance/Alliance canadienne de l’epilepsie- The Canadian Epilepsy Alliance (CEA) is a Canada wide network of grassroots organizations dedicated to the promotion of independence and quality of life for people with epilepsy and their families, through support services, information, advocacy, and public awareness.

The Canadian Epilepsy Alliance includes rural, urban, local, and provincial incorporated Epilepsy Associations from coast to coast in Canada. We currently have member associations in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. The Alliance has emerged as a formidable voice for the epilepsy community and as a leading influence in the promotion of service innovation and excellence in Canada. Please visit our website at www.epilepsymatters.com or call 1-866-epilepsy

In Victoria, The Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre is a proud member of the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance. For more information on the services we offer, please visit our website at www.vepc.bc.ca or call us at 250-475-6677.

About Purple Day Founder Cassidy Megan –

Hi, my name is Cassidy Megan. I'm 10 years old and I have epilepsy. I started Purple Day because I wanted to tell everyone about epilepsy, especially that all seizures are not the same and that people with epilepsy are ordinary people just like everyone else. I also wanted kids with epilepsy to know that they are not alone.
Before I started Purple Day, I was afraid to tell people about my epilepsy because I thought they would make fun of me. After the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia did a presentation in my class, I started to talk with the other kids about my seizures. That is when I decided to become a spokesperson for kids with epilepsy.

Please join me in wearing purple on March 26th to support epilepsy awareness.

-Cassidy

To hear Cassidy talk about Purple Day in the public service announcement for radio, go to www.purpleday.org

For more information, please contact Lissa at 250-475-6677 or email lzala@vepc.bc.ca .