March is National Epilepsy Awareness Month and it’s just around the corner! This is an opportunity to speak out and spread epilepsy awareness.
We encourage our community members to get involved in raising awareness about epilepsy, seizures, and seizure first aid in as many ways as possible. Whether it is creating an event, joining a campaign, volunteering, or fundraising, there are many opportunities for anyone to get involved. If you, your loved one, your colleague, or your acquaintance has epilepsy, take this opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of everyone living with epilepsy.
One in 100 people have epilepsy, but many don't tell anyone about their health status due to public misconceptions about the condition. Epilepsy Awareness Month is an excellent opportunity to begin a discussion about epilepsy, educate the public and break down the stigma of epilepsy.
Please be sure to share your Epilepsy Awareness Month initiatives with our team. Register your campaign and tell us how you plan on spreading awareness. Use this website to register and share. Plus, we encourage you to post photos and use #EAM2023 and #eswopurplenation on your social media. Any photos can be sent directly to [email protected] and we will add them to our gallery.
If you plan on using Facebook Fundraising, a pledge form, or another platform, please complete the following form.
*Note: to send funds through Facebook, please search “EPILEPSY LONDON & AREA”
Get Involved!
Looking for ideas on how to get involved? Here are some ways you might participate:
- Participate in our #ThePurpleDoor2023 campaign. Decorate your door purple and share with us. Download poster. Prizes to be won!
- Set up a seizure first aid presentation for your school or classroom to reduce epilepsy stigma and ensure classmates know what to do when they see a seizure.
- Encourage your classroom or school to participate in an awareness event, and register so we can follow.
- Promote awareness at your workplace or host a purple dress down day. Everyone makes a donation to participate.
- Register your workplace for a Seizure 101 presentation with an Educator to ensure your workplace is seizure safe.
- Collect pledges to dye your hair purple and join the #PurpleHairRevolution.
- Hold a Walk-a-thon, Read-a-thon, Dance-a-thon, or a Thumbs Up for Epilepsy Initiative.
- Share your story. We want to hear how epilepsy has affected your life. Connect with local Educator to discuss.
- Epilepsy affects 1 in 100, participate in our 1 in 100 Campaign. Collect pledges for doing 100 of something (100 sit ups, walking for 100 minutes, baking 100 cookies) or set a goal to raise $100 to support ESWO.
- Encourage your local sports team to incorporate purple into their uniform to show their support. We’re looking to host as many purple games as possible this month. Download our ‘Play For Purple’ poster and connect with Sandra to discuss.
School Campaigns
Get your classroom involved in March Epilepsy Awareness to help break down the stigma and ensure that classmates are prepared when they see a seizure. Sign up for a classroom presentation with one of our Educators.
We have a FREE package for teachers and students. The package includes bookmarks for each student and documents with epilepsy and seizure fun facts (that can be read on the announcements or in class), 2 Seizure First Aid Posters and 2 Epilepsy Awareness Month Posters. In order to participate, you must contact your local Educator to order.
We are also encouraging classrooms to participate in our #ThePurpleDoor2023 Campaign. We invite teachers, parents, students and schools to raise epilepsy awareness in their school board. Submit a photo of your decorated classroom door between March 1, 2023 and March 31, 2023 and be entered in to win a purple prize for your class.
Workplace Campaigns
Register your workplace for a Seizure 101 presentation with an Educator to ensure your workplace is seizure safe.
We are encouraging workplaces to participate in our #ThePurpleDoor2023 Campaign. We invite employers, employees and teams to raise epilepsy awareness in the workplace. Submit a photo of your decorated office door between March 1, 2023 and March 31, 2023 and be entered in to win a purple door gift basket for your office.
Epilepsy affects 1 in 100, participate in our 1 in 100 Campaign. Help us celebrate March Epilepsy Awareness Month in your community by registering here. Support the 1 in 100 individuals affected by raising $100 during March – collect pledges to do 100 sit ups, bake 100 cookies, ask 10 friends to donate $10 – there’s many ways to participate in this challenge. Even if you’re not collecting $100, sign up to share your story and spread awareness with friends and family.
There are approximately 1 in 100 people in Canada living with epilepsy, one of them being eight-year-old Chad Carson.
I'm Chad and I'm 1 in 100!
Shortly before his fifth birthday, Chad was diagnosed with focal onset epilepsy. Living with epilepsy has made Chad determined to bring awareness to this statistic, and he did exactly that with his 1 in 100 Campaign. In honour of March Epilepsy Awareness month, in 2022 Chad set his monthly goal to collect 100 ten-dollar bills, as well as commit to biking 100km. Not only did Chad reach his goals, but he exceeded his expectations. By the end of the month, Chad raised $3,445 and biked 140.08 kilometers. All the funds he raised were donated to ESWO to help keep kids like Chad safe at school and provide help for their families.
Through his passion to raise epilepsy awareness, Chad has demonstrated what is
possible when you put your mind to it.
Purple Door Campaign
Decorate your door purple and share with us. Email to [email protected]