Photo Purple Day poster
City landmarks will shine purple tonight to mark Purple Day, which aims to raise awareness about epilepsy.
Kim Davidson, executive director of the BC Epilepsy Society said epilepsy is an invisible disorder but it is the 4th most common neurological disorder affecting 50 million people worldwide.
Davidson said Vancouver City Hall, Science World, BC Place, the B.C. Legislature, Olympic Cauldron and Canada Place sails will light up purple tonight to commemorate the day.
"We want more people to speak up and speak out about the disorder to reduce the stigma," she said.
The BCES invited students to create a video PSA as part of its I AM A VOICE contest open to elementary, middle school and post-secondary students across the province. Davidson said the deadline is today and winners will be announced by the end of the week. Winning videos will be posted to the BCES website and available as educational material for teachers, parents or employers.
Purple Day was started by Nova Scotia teen Cassidy Megan in 2008 and has become a global grassroots effort. American World Long Drive Golfing Champion Tyler Barton has partnered with the BCES to raise awareness about the disorder by talking about how epilepsy has impacted his life.
The Centre for Epilepsy & Seizure Education in British Columbia is also holding a run/walk around Mill Lake in Abbotsford in support of Purple Day 2018. The event starts at noon with face painting and balloon twisting onsite for kids.
