Purple Day, the global, grassroots event aimed at raising awareness and funds for epilepsy worldwide will take place this weekend, on Sunday, 26th March.
Epilepsy Ireland is appealing to the Irish public to get behind the event which has become the organisation’s flagship annual fundraising day.
Landmark buildings across the country will be lit up purple including George’s Quay Pyramids, the Rock of Cashel and Blackrock Castle.
Epilepsy Ireland, which operates from ten locations across the country, has experienced a 50% drop in fundraised income due to the pandemic and this year’s Purple Day is the first, long-awaited opportunity to return to community based events in over two years.
40,000 people in Ireland have epilepsy including 10,000-15,000 people who are living with uncontrolled seizures.
For this group in particular, the consequences of epilepsy can be long-lasting and significant.
There is also an increased risk of mortality associated with epilepsy with an estimates 130 epilepsy-related deaths in Ireland each year.
