Epilepsy Foundation - "Purple Day" on 26 March
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Yet again the Rotary Club of Hawthorn was privileged to hear from an organization carrying out an essential service for a section of the public who are very much in need of that service. Jeremy Maxwell, Development Officer for the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria spoke of the work being carried out by the Foundation, and the reasons why we should support the Purple Day on 26 March each year, not only to raise funds for the Foundation but to also help spread awareness of epilepsy. |
Purple Day is a grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. On 26 March, people from around the globe are asked to spread the word about epilepsy by wearing purple. Founded in 2008 by then nine-year-old Cassidy Megan of Canada, Purple Day is an effort to get people talking about the disorder and inform those with seizures that they are not alone. Cassidy named the day ‘Purple Day’ after the internationally recognised colour for epilepsy - lavender.
Epilepsy Australia is the official Australian partner of Purple Day and has joined up with other epilepsy organisations from across the globe including Canada, USA, UK and South Africa to make Purple Day even bigger. The Epilepsy Foundation is the Victorian member of Epilepsy Australia and is proud to have the official role of promoting Purple Day here in Victoria.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria offers training in how to administer midazolam or rectal valium for the emergency management of seizures. This is provided freely to families who are encouraged to undergo this training to provide assistance to the patient, and provide safety and confidence for the patient knowing they have a trained person available whenever a seizure occurs.
Jeremy gave examples of a mother and family facing the task of raising a child diagnosed as an epileptic from birth. With a number of the family trained, the weight is lifted from the mother and shared by them and allowing the child to have an enhanced quality of life.
With this training it is found that providing instant treatment results in 70% of patients have the problem in control in under 2 years. As some 350 to 400,000 Australians suffer from epilepsy, it is a major task to reach and provide continuous support when funds are so hard to raise. Despite the government providing some of the finance, the majority has to come from philanthropy and fund-raising ideas like Purple Day.
The Foundation is now setting out to bring training to all the schools in Victoria totaling 23,000 so that a body of helpers are available to allow epileptics to attend school and be safe at all times with trained helpers always on hand.
They should be applauded for all their work and given every assistance to raise the funds to let the work go on and be extended to provide care and training to all who are in need of it.
Epilepsy Australia is the official Australian partner of Purple Day and has joined up with other epilepsy organisations from across the globe including Canada, USA, UK and South Africa to make Purple Day even bigger. The Epilepsy Foundation is the Victorian member of Epilepsy Australia and is proud to have the official role of promoting Purple Day here in Victoria.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria offers training in how to administer midazolam or rectal valium for the emergency management of seizures. This is provided freely to families who are encouraged to undergo this training to provide assistance to the patient, and provide safety and confidence for the patient knowing they have a trained person available whenever a seizure occurs.
Jeremy gave examples of a mother and family facing the task of raising a child diagnosed as an epileptic from birth. With a number of the family trained, the weight is lifted from the mother and shared by them and allowing the child to have an enhanced quality of life.
With this training it is found that providing instant treatment results in 70% of patients have the problem in control in under 2 years. As some 350 to 400,000 Australians suffer from epilepsy, it is a major task to reach and provide continuous support when funds are so hard to raise. Despite the government providing some of the finance, the majority has to come from philanthropy and fund-raising ideas like Purple Day.
The Foundation is now setting out to bring training to all the schools in Victoria totaling 23,000 so that a body of helpers are available to allow epileptics to attend school and be safe at all times with trained helpers always on hand.
They should be applauded for all their work and given every assistance to raise the funds to let the work go on and be extended to provide care and training to all who are in need of it.