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Our signature event of Epilepsy Awareness Month has always been the ‘Ask the Doctors' Question and Answer Forum. This year, the event was held on March 25th, 7pm at the Ramada St. John's on Kenmount Road thanks to the donation of space by the hotel. We had 21 attendees in person, as well as one person attending via teleconference from Labrador. Again this year we were honoured to be joined by both Dr. Abayomi Ogunyemi, and Dr. David Buckley, two of the provinces foremost neurologists.
Questions ranged from the personal and specific to the more general, and like every single year, new things were learned. Some of the questions that were asked included:
- - medication dosage - seizure free vs. side effect free
- - head trauma and seizures
- - which drugs are most effective for which seizures?
- - can childhood absence seizures return in adulthood?
- - can you distract yourself from having a seizure if you are having an aura?
- - epilepsy and driving
Two stories appeared in the provincial media during March about Epilepsy Awareness Month, both written by Danette Dooley.
One was done by Barb Evans, provincial court clerk, who had a brain tumor removed by surgery a few months ago. Since then Barb has been having intermittent seizures. The entire court staff has been incredibly supportive in making it a seizure friendly workplace. This story was done for the Newfoundland Hearald.
The other, done for the Telegram, was of Faith Evans and her Perfect Purple Poster Project. Danette interviewed both faith and her parents to discuss how she is making a difference by sharing awareness and understanding through her contest.
This year we once again challenged the students in the Graphic Design program at the College of the North Atlantic to develop a bus shelter ad that would convey the type of messages we want people to know.
It was an excellent opportunity for the students to work on a real-life business project, and a chance for us to tap into some amazing talent.
The two winners for 2010: Nicole Fulford and Kyle Callahan. The ads, which are shown below, are now on display at two very prominent bus shelters here in the city.
Additionally, Metrobus had also been displaying two bus back ads regarding Purple day throughout March, ensuring that people all over this city will know all about Purple Day.
All the provincial courts across the province challenged each other to come up with the most creative ways of celebrating Purple Day. This included dressing up, displays, purple food and cupcakes, a donation collection, and a photo competition.
" We got the attention of many clients and stakeholders, so we had an opportunity to tell them about Purple Day and Epilepsy Awareness. Next year will be even bigger! The planning is started already!"
All three locations of Proactive Physiotherapy bought wristbands and wore purple, handing out bookmarks and buttons to each of their clients that day and getting them to spread the message of Purple day even farther.
Fusion BPO Services in Grand Falls-Windsor, through the encouragement and organization of Wendy Sheppard, bought wristbands, wore purple and raised funds in support of Purple Day. Wendy also made a facebook Page directing people to our website, explaining Purple Day and encouraging them to donate to such a worth cause. Fusion BPO also generously donated $120.00.
Scotiabank, Commonwealth Avenue dressed up for Purple Day and sent us a donation of $50.00 as a result of their activities. Likewise MUNN Insurance sent us in a donation of $50.00 as a result of their purple Day Involvement.
To show just how much even little kids can do, all daycares across the province were invited to participate in the second annual Purple Day Bunny Hop. This year we had nine participating centres and raised almost $4000 for epilepsy awareness!
Thanks to the following day cares and preschools, you really made a difference.
- Humpty Dumpty Daycare, Corner Brook
- Creative Learning, Grand Falls Windsor
- Stepping Stones, CBS
- Pitter Patter Daycare, Paradise
- Itsy Bitsy Daycare, Pouch Cove
- Creative Beginnings, Corner Brook
- On Your Mark, St. John's
- Right Start, CBS
- Stepping Stones, Corner Brook
The day before Purple Day, ENL did two classroom sessions with the Grade 8 strudents at St. Kevin's Junior High in the Goulds. We told them all about Purple Day and Cassidy's story and, as a result, the students in those classes encouraged the whole school to get involved. The next day, lots of students wore purple and encouraged their friends and family to do the same.
Several communities around the province either proclaimed March 26th as Purple Day for Epilepsy within their town, or participated in some sort of event to commemorate the day.
- City of St. John's proclaimed Purple Day
- Town of Paradise proclaimed Purple Day
- Town of Labrador City all wore purple and passed out ribbons to others to do the same
- Town of Harbour Grace wore purple on Purple day
- Town of Grand Bank wore purple and sent a notice to all residents encouraging them to do the same and explaining Purple Day
As a result of the presentation to City Hall, Debbie Hanlon, one of the City Councillors and owner of Hanlon Realty wanted to do something to further the message of Purple Day. She decided she would send a purple garbage bag to each of her 15,000 customers so that they might gather up some of their unwanted items and donate them to us for sale at our thrift store. She also offered us the opportunity to include educational and awareness information along with the bags. As a result, ENL has received hundreds of donations from Hanlon Realty clients, which will go a long way in furthering the programs and services of our office.
See the pamphlet that is spreading awareness throughout the province - Click Here
For Purple Day at Previously Loved Clothes and Things, we handed out individually wrapped Tetley Tea with a note about Purple day fastened to it. Also, in the days leading up to Purple Day a copy of the Purple Puzzler was included in everyone's shopping bag. It had information and a puzzle that shoppers could complete and then return for a discount of 50% off one item at the store.
 Faith is a student at Paradise Elementary who was diagnosed with epilepsy not so long ago. She became a Purple Day Ambassador this year and to spread the word about Purple Day and Epilepsy awareness, her and her parents developed the Perfect Purple Poster Contest www.theperfectpurpleposter.com Some of the posters entered were truly impressive and are available for viewing on their website.
St. Francis High, Carbonear Collegiate, and Harbour Grace Elementary all had special events for Purple Day in anticipation of the Zach Rowe Memorial Hockey Tournament the next day in Harbour Grace. Individuals, businesses, and students were painted purple in memory of Zach Rowe who passed away in 2009 from a seizure. Zach was 21 and a favorite player within the CeeBees hockey association.
I attended the tournament, set up an information booth and sold wristbands. From the tournament Epilepsy Newfoundland and Labrador also received numerous donations from the Minor Hockey Association, the Friends at Fox Farm, Avalon Appraisals, and the Tournament Proceeds. Through the dedication of those wanting to keep Zach's memory alive, we will have raised in excess of $2000 and have established the Zach Rowe Memorial Scholarship.
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