Wear purple to bring awareness to epilepsy

An international movement known as Purple Day is celebrated every year on this date to bring awareness to epilepsy.

Purple Day was created by then eight-year-old Cassidy Megan.

>> UPDATE: Firefighters work over 3 hours to extinguish 3-alarm fire in Dayton

Megan learned in 2015, she was diagnosed with focal seizures, and four years later, her diagnosis changed to generalized and photosensitive epilepsy and myoclonic jerks.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, epilepsy is the world’s fourth most common neurological disorder. This brain disorder causes abnormal and excessive electrical activities in the brain that can affect how a person appears or even acts.

Those with epilepsy often do not know what caused them to develop the disorder. In cases where the cause is known, the root of it is different for many. Doctors have been able to link some cases through family history, trauma to the brain, infections, autoimmune disorders, and abnormal structures of the brain.

>> WATCH: Officers break up large gathering at University of Dayton; At least 6 arrested

Purple Day’s idea was to bring awareness to epilepsy worldwide. According to the organization’s website, the efforts of Megan, The Epilepsy Association of The Maritimes, and The Anita Kaufmann Foundation, set in motion this day and the international involvement of wearing purple.

To learn more about Purple Day, visit their website.

©2023 Cox Media Group