What Is Purple Day and How to Support It

Every year on March 26, people around the world come together to celebrate Purple Day, a global epilepsy awareness day. On this day, individuals, organizations, and communities wear purple and host events to shine a spotlight on epilepsy. The goal is to spread knowledge, inspire hope, and show support for the 50 million people worldwide who live with this neurological condition​time.com. Whether you have a loved one with epilepsy or simply want to champion a good cause, Purple Day is an opportunity for everyone to make a difference.

Understanding Purple Day: A Global Epilepsy Awareness Day

Purple Day is an international event held annually on March 26 to raise awareness about epilepsy​cureepilepsy.org. It was founded in 2008 by Cassidy Megan, a brave 9-year-old girl from Canada who has epilepsy herself. Cassidy started Purple Day to let others with epilepsy know they are not alone and to educate the public about the condition. She chose the color purple for this cause because lavender (a shade of purple) has long been associated with epilepsy – it symbolizes solitude, reminding us of the personal struggles people with epilepsy often face​cureepilepsy.org. By turning the world purple for a day, Cassidy’s grassroots idea has blossomed into a global movement.

Today, Purple Day’s mission is clear: increase understanding of epilepsy, dispel myths, reduce stigma, and support those living with the condition​cureepilepsy.org. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, yet it’s often misunderstood. Public awareness remains crucial – not only because epilepsy affects millions (for example, about 50 million people globally​time.com and over 3 million in the U.S.), but also because understanding the condition fosters empathy and better support. Purple Day helps break down the fear and misunderstandings surrounding epilepsy. By encouraging open conversations about seizures and how to help someone experiencing one, the day empowers communities to be more inclusive and supportive. In short, epilepsy awareness truly matters – it can improve lives, inform policies, and build a more compassionate society.

The National Congress of Brazil illuminated in purple on Purple Day, demonstrating global support for epilepsy awareness.

Why March 26? The Story Behind the Date

You might wonder, why was March 26 chosen for Purple Day? The selection of this date traces back to Purple Day’s origins. When Cassidy Megan first proposed the idea in her school, March 26, 2008 was the day that fit the school’s schedule for an epilepsy awareness event​thevoiceforepilepsy.co.uk. Cassidy decided that March 26 would remain the annual day to unify people in epilepsy awareness, reasoning that a single, consistent date each year is easier to remember and rally around than a moving target. Her vision was to have “a day that people could come together” in support of those with epilepsy​thevoiceforepilepsy.co.uk​thevoiceforepilepsy.co.uk. In 2012, Canada officially recognized March 26 as Purple Day by law, and since then the tradition has spread worldwide.

Over the years, Purple Day (Epilepsy Awareness Day) has gained momentum across the globe. What started as one young girl’s initiative in Nova Scotia has turned into an international campaign endorsed by major epilepsy organizations. By 2009, the Anita Kaufmann Foundation in the U.S. and the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia joined forces to launch Purple Day internationally​time.com. Today, countries on every continent participate. In fact, in recent years people in 85+ countries have taken part in Purple Day activities​epilepsyallianceamerica.org. From North America to Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond, communities mark March 26 with the color purple – truly making it a worldwide epilepsy awareness day.

How to Support Purple Day

One of the beautiful aspects of Purple Day is how easy it is for anyone to get involved. You don’t need to be an expert or organize a huge event – even small gestures can have a big impact. Here are some inspiring ways you can show your support on Purple Day:

• Wear Purple for Epilepsy: The simplest way to participate is to wear purple on March 26. Whether it’s a shirt, dress, tie, or even a purple ribbon, your choice of clothing can spark conversations about epilepsy. (There’s even a popular hashtag #WearPurpleForEpilepsy on social media.) Encourage friends, family, and coworkers to join you in dressing in purple. Consider grabbing a special Purple Day T-shirt or hoodie – for example, PurplePowerShop.com offers a variety of purple-themed apparel – and wear it proudly to spread the message.
• Share on Social Media: Use your voice online to spread awareness. Post facts or personal stories about epilepsy on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Use hashtags like #PurpleDay and #EpilepsyAwareness to join the global conversation. You can update your profile picture with a purple frame or share infographics about seizure first aid. A quick tweet or post can educate many people in your network. Tip: On Purple Day, organizations like the Epilepsy Foundation often share graphics and stats – feel free to repost these to amplify the reach​time.com.
• Host or Attend an Event: Many local epilepsy organizations, schools, or hospitals hold events on Purple Day – such as informational seminars, webinars, charity walks, or even virtual meetups. Join an event in your community if you can. Alternatively, organize a small gathering yourself: maybe a purple-themed bake sale, a “wear purple” day at your office or school, or a simple awareness talk at a local club. Even a Zoom session to discuss epilepsy facts or hear from someone affected can make a difference. Bringing people together (even virtually) to talk about epilepsy helps normalize the conversation and break down stigma.
• Educate Yourself and Others: Knowledge is powerful. Take Purple Day as an opportunity to learn more about epilepsy. Read about the different types of seizures and what first aid steps to take if someone has one. Then, share that knowledge. You could print out epilepsy first-aid guides or fact sheets (many are available from epilepsy organizations) and distribute them at work or community centers. By educating others, you help dispel myths (like the false idea that one should put something in a person’s mouth during a seizure – you shouldn’t) and replace fear with understanding.
• Support Epilepsy Causes: Purple Day is also about supporting the epilepsy community beyond just awareness. Consider making a donation to a reputable epilepsy charity or research foundation in honor of Purple Day. These organizations fund crucial research for better treatments and provide services for people living with epilepsy. You could also fundraise – for example, run a Facebook fundraiser or host a charity event – to contribute to the cause. Volunteering with local epilepsy support groups or joining advocacy campaigns (such as pushing for improved healthcare access or anti-discrimination laws) are other meaningful ways to help. Every bit of support brings us one step closer to a world where having epilepsy is not a barrier to living a full life.

Spreading Hope and Awareness

Epilepsy can be a challenging condition to live with, but the outpouring of solidarity on Purple Day shows those affected that they are not alone. The positive, inclusive spirit of this day helps replace silence and stigma with understanding and hope. When you wear purple on March 26 or engage in Purple Day activities, you send a powerful message: you stand with the epilepsy community. Small actions – a conversation with a neighbor, a social media post, a donation – can ripple outward and increase awareness in ways you might not imagine.

Purple Day reminds us that compassion is contagious. What started with one young girl’s dream has inspired millions to get involved. By participating in Purple Day, you become part of a global movement to educate others about epilepsy, support those living with it, and fuel efforts to overcome it. So mark your calendar for March 26 and get your purple ready! Together, let’s celebrate Epilepsy Awareness Day with positivity and purpose.

In doing so, we honor the resilience of people with epilepsy and help create a more informed, compassionate world. Wear purple, spread the word, and be a beacon of support – this Purple Day and beyond.