Purple Day is March 26: Epilepsy awareness day founded by our 2011 Huggable Hero

Q& A with Cassidy Megan M., 12, Halifax, NS – 2011 Huggable Hero

Four years ago, Cassidy Megan founded Purple Day for Epilepsy to promote epilepsy awareness. Purple day has partnered with the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia and the Anita Kaufmann Foundation in the USA. Purple Day is now recognized internationally with supporters in Spain, Iran, Australia, Madrid, England, Africa, Cyprus and other countries worldwide.

What inspired you to start Purple Day for Epilepsy?

When I found out I had epilepsy I thought I was the only kid with it. After the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia came and did a presentation and I saw that my friends were really interested, I decided to tell them I had it. During the presentation I found out that lavender can represent feeling alone which is how I felt. The next year I started Purple Day because I wanted other people with epilepsy to know that they were not alone.

Purple Day is coming up. What are your plans for March 26, 2012?

I want to make it even bigger and better than last year. I am working with our partners and ambassadors all over the world to get more people involved and spread the word.

What is your mission for Purple Day?

My dream is that one day everyone will know about Purple Day and epilepsy and no one will feel alone.

You’ve accomplished so much. What are you going to do next?

I’m going to keep working on Purple Day and keep helping people be aware of epilepsy. I also want to keep letting people with epilepsy know that they can do anything they want and to never give up.

What advice do you have for kids who want to make a difference in the world?

Keep believing that you can do it, when things seem hard to change it’s important to keep working hard. Every little bit counts, never give up and always follow your dreams, you can do it!

Click here to learn more about Purple Day for Epilepsy.