Prior to the presentation, Cassidy never talked about her epilepsy because she was afraid that people would make fun of her. After the presentation, Cassidy’s classmates starting asking her questions about her seizures. Once she started talking she decided to become a spokesperson for kids with epilepsy.

Lavender is the internationally recognized color associated with epilepsy and seizures. For Cassidy, lavender is really just another shade of purple so she called her campaign Purple Day for epilepsy.

Cassidy even had the courage to contact Paul Shaffer of "The Late Night with David Letterman Show”. Cassidy asked him to wear something purple for the show on March 26th, 2008. She wanted Purple Day to become an international event to help people understand epilepsy. Shaffer, a Canadian, was David Letterman’s musical director and sidekick. He wore a purple tie for the March 26th taping in support of Cassidy’s Purple Day campaign.

Not only did Paul Shaffer support her cause but also members of Parliament, their staffs, schools, universities, and various businesses nationally and internationally volunteered their support. Cassidy set up her Purple Day for Epilepsy Facebook Group which now has over 10,000 individual and agency members world-wide.

Cassidy was motivated to start this campaign because she wants other kids like her to know they’re not alone. She also wants people to understand they don’t have to be afraid if they witness a seizure,that all seizures are not the same and kids with epilepsy, for the most part, lead normal healthy lives.

Epilepsy affects nearly 10,000 people in Newfoundland and Labrador, and over 50,000,000 people worldwide. That's more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's disease combined! Yet many people living with epilepsy still face barriers due to a lack of awareness about the disorder. In fact, often persons with epilepsy suffer more from the attitudes of others than the actual seizures.

We want to help make Cassidy’s dream to come true by making this a global event for awareness of epilepsy. For more information on how to get your school, university or business involved please contact Epilepsy Newfoundland and Labrador at 722-0502 or dial 1-866-epilepsy.

Purple Day is March 26th - Wear your purple to support epilepsy awareness globally.

Here's What We Have Happening:

All our Purple businesses will be featured right here on our website to honour and thank you for your community spirit.

On March 26th, 2012, join with preschools across NF & Lab in the 2012 Purple Day Bunny Hop to support epilepsy and seizure awareness in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Purple Day was an idea that began in 2008 with Cassidy, a little nine year old girl in Nova Scotia who has epilepsy. She decided that there should be one special day each year so that kids (and grown-ups) with seizures wouldn't feel so alone. Since then, her idea has grown world-wide and on March 26th, people all over the globe will be holding special events and wearing purple to show they care.

Cassidy is making a difference, and we know that the kids of Newfoundland and Labrador can too. So we're holding the province-wide Purple Day Bunny Hop to show just how much even little kids can do!

Last year, several hundred people wrapped on their bunny ears, donned their purple clothes and hopped for epilepsy. This year, we hope your centre will too.

Register your centre soon and we will send you a Purple Day Bunny Hop Kit and all the details on holding your Bunny Hop.

To register your centre, or for more information, contact Epilepsy Newfoundland and Labrador (709) 722-0502 or 1-866-EPILEPSY or email info@epilepsynl.com

We're sending out the call to all schools, inviting them to become one of our Positively Purple Schools for Epiilepsy 2012. Invitations are going out to every school in the province and March 26th, we want to see a province of purple from coast to coast!

2011 saw several schools show their purple with events and activities to bring awareness to their school about what life is like with seizures. It was awesome! If you're school hasn't signed on yet, it's not too late. We can send out all the information, handouts, and fun bits to make your school a Positively Purple School for Purple Day 2012. Just get in touch with us, and we can help make it happen.

Last year, 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.

This year we're hoping for even more. Encourage your town to get involved. Wear Purple on March 26th, light up your town hall with purple lights, or participate in any creative way you choose.

Let us know so we can show you off right here on our website.