When you think of the color purple, you might picture lavender flowers, twilight skies, or even royalty. But for millions of people around the world, purple carries another meaning: epilepsy awareness. Every year on March 26, people across more than 85 countries participate in Purple Day, a global movement started not by a corporation, but by a 9-year-old girl from Canada. Purple didn’t just become a color for epilepsy—it became a movement, a symbol, and honestly, a lifeline for millions of people.
The Beginning of Purple Day
Purple Day began in 2008, when Cassidy Megan, a young girl living in Nova Scotia, Canada, decided she wanted to do something about the stigma she felt around her epilepsy diagnosis. According to Cassidy, her biggest motivation was to let others with epilepsy know they were not alone (PurpleDay.org). Lavender wasn’t just picked for being pretty. It’s been connected to epilepsy for centuries as a symbol of calm and resilience. Cassidy put a personal twist on that tradition. Purple, she says, is like epilepsy itself: “There are so many shades of purple, just like there are so many types of epilepsy.” Wearing it now becomes a quiet declaration that someone gets it—that you’re not alone in what you go through (Epilepsy Foundation).
What started as a local event at her school quickly grew. Within just one year, Purple Day had expanded across Canada, the United States, and beyond. By 2009, the grassroots effort had partnered with the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia and the Anita Kaufmann Foundation, helping spread the idea internationally.
Purple Day Goes Global
By 2012, Purple Day had become so significant that the Canadian Parliament officially recognized it as a national awareness day. Other countries followed suit, hosting events in schools, workplaces, and communities. Today, Purple Day is marked in more than 85 countries, with landmarks from the Eiffel Tower to the Sydney Opera House being lit up in purple to honor the cause.
This international recognition matters because epilepsy affects a staggering number of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, around 50 million people globally live with epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological conditions (WHO). And yet, stigma and misinformation remain persistent barriers. Many people still do not know what to do when someone has a seizure, and misconceptions often isolate those with epilepsy. Purple Day’s global reach challenges those misconceptions by creating conversations across cultures and communities.
Why Purple Day Matters
Purple Day matters because epilepsy remains deeply misunderstood. In the U.S. alone, 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some point in their lives (Epilepsy Foundation). That’s millions of people—yet surveys show that most Americans don’t know what to do if a friend or peer has a seizure. This lack of awareness isn’t just inconvenient; it can be dangerous.
By creating a day that’s highly visible, low-barrier, and symbolic, Purple Day gives people an easy way to participate. Wearing purple, posting on social media, or hosting an event might seem small, but collectively these acts create a sense of solidarity. For teens and young adults especially, Purple Day is a reminder that epilepsy doesn’t have to mean isolation. Instead, it can mean community.
Beyond Awareness: Toward Action
Of course, Purple Day is about more than wearing a color. Many organizations use March 26 as an opportunity to fundraise for epilepsy research, provide seizure-first aid training, or host community gatherings. For example, the Purple Day® Every Day Expo, hosted annually in Orlando, Florida, brings together families, medical experts, and advocates for a weekend of education and connection (Purple Day Every Day).
These events highlight the practical side of epilepsy awareness: making sure people know seizure first aid, helping families find resources, and raising money for better treatments. But they also emphasize the emotional side: creating spaces where people with epilepsy feel seen and valued.
Conclusion: From One Voice to Millions
The story of Purple Day is proof that change can start small. One child’s courage to speak up about her epilepsy grew into a movement that now stretches across continents. Today, when people light up landmarks in purple or post #PurpleDay on their social feeds, they’re not just participating in a trend—they’re part of a global push to normalize epilepsy, reduce stigma, and build connection.
So the next time March 26 comes around, throw on a purple hoodie, share a fact, or tell a friend why the day matters. Because purple isn’t just a color anymore—it’s a symbol of solidarity, strength, and a future where epilepsy is understood, not feared.