Stand up to Seizures for Purple Day!

Wednesday 26 March is Purple Day, which is all about raising awareness of epilepsy worldwide. Here at Epilepsy Society we have been asking people to #StanduptoSeizures and support our world leading research.

We are running an awareness raising campaign on local and regional stations across the UK, with our supporters talking about the challenges of living with epilepsy. You’ll be able to hear incredible stories of people who have had their lives turned upside down by a diagnosis of epilepsy and how it has shaped them. For all of them, having supportive partners, family, friends and colleagues makes all the difference. Knowing that people understand their condition and know what to do if they were to have a seizure is vitally important. 

What everyone with epilepsy also has in common is a desire to share their story, help people understand life with a complex neurological condition and encourage everyone to learn seizure first aid. Epilepsy Society’s seizure first aid message is simple and it is keen for listeners/viewers up and down the country to learn it: Calm, Cushion, Call.

• Stay CALM and stay with the person who is having a seizure.
• CUSHION their head with a coat or cardigan to stop them injuring themselves.
• CALL 999.

Nicola Swanborough, Head of External Affairs at Epilepsy Society said: “Living with a complex condition is challenging, and it affects everyone differently. Epilepsy can be a life-changing condition. We want people to understand how it impacts on every aspect of life from friends and family to education and work. One of the most life-changing aspects for people with uncontrolled seizures is that they are unable to drive.

People living with epilepsy can suffer from memory loss, often need more sleep and time to recover from seizures. They can struggle with concentration and some people may experience seizures because of stress and become socially isolated. With ongoing medication shortages, people are often unable to get their lifesaving medication which has tragically led to two deaths and others have reported an increase in seizures due to the stress of not knowing when they will be able to find their medication. 

This Purple Day, please join us in our aim to Stand up to Seizures and learn about the person with epilepsy rather than just their condition. Do check out Rosie Wrighting MP's story as she reveals that she has epilepsy: Stress, stairs and epilepsy in the House of Commons

We will be sharing the radio clips across our social media platforms and will also publish them here. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Threads, Linkedin and Instagram @EpilepsySociety

Purple day was created in 2008 by Cassidy Megan, a young girl from Canada, who has epilepsy and wanted to get people talking about the condition. Cassidy decided to use the colour purple because lavender is recognised as the international flower of epilepsy. Cassidy not only wanted to raise awareness but also assure people with epilepsy that they are not alone.