Purple Day - March 26, 2009

Long & McQuade is proud to support Purple Day and its founder, Cassidy Megan.

Motivated by her own struggles with epilepsy, Cassidy Megan founded Purple Day in 2008 to increase awareness about her disorder. Cassidy's goal is to get people talking about epilepsy in an effort to dispel myths and inform those with seizures that they are not alone.

Cassidy's efforts began in her hometown in Nova Scotia, where she taught classmates and peers not to fear seizures, and explained to them that for the most part, people with epilepsy lead normal, healthy lives.

With the help of her mom, Cassidy began contacting politicians, celebrities, non-profits and corporations, asking them to spread the word about Purple Day and epilepsy. The response was outstanding. People from around the world joined the campaign, helping make Purple Day 2008 a great success. From students in classrooms around the world to Paul Shaffer on the Late Show with David Letterman, people wore purple to spread the word about epilepsy on March 26, 2008. Cassidy was interviewed by news outlets across Canada and was even featured in a South African epilepsy newsletter.

Expanding Cassidy's dream, the Anita Kaufmann Foundation in the US and Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia in Canada, joined forces in 2009 to launch Purple Day internationally. As the global representatives for Purple Day, both organizations are committed to partnering with individuals and organizations around the world to promote epilepsy awareness.

On March 26, 2009, spread awareness about epilepsy by wearing purple, or by a hosting a Purple Day party or fundraising event. Visit www.purpleday.org for more information about Cassidy and her mission, and call 1-866-EPILEPSY for the epilepsy agency near you.