The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Premier Encourages Participation in International Purple Day

I am pleased to stand in this House today, joining people around the world who will wear purple this week to promote awareness of epilepsy. March 26 is designated as International Purple Day.

I was asked to wear purple in observance of this special day by two young ladies, who want people to know more about epilepsy.

Patti Thistle wrote to me on behalf of her 15-year-old daughter Mary Beth, asking me to support efforts to raise awareness of epilepsy by wearing purple. I am happy to have Mary Beth and Patti Thistle joining us today.

And, 12-year-old Faith Atkins, a student at Mount Pearl Intermediate School and an Ambassador for Purple Day wrote to me about Purple Day. She has been actively promoting Purple Day at her school. Faith and some of her classmates have joined us today in the gallery. In addition, Gail Dempsey and Pam Anstey from Epilepsy Newfoundland and Labrador have joined us.

There are various activities planned for Purple Day, including poster contests and community activities. Faith herself has organized a Wackiest Purple Outfit contest at her school. I wasn’t striving to have the wackiest outfit today but I’m very proud to be wearing purple.

International Purple Day began in 2008 when a nine-year-old Nova Scotia girl, named Cassidy Megan, asked her principal if they could plan a purple day at her school. Lavender is the internationally recognized color associated with epilepsy and seizures. For Cassidy, lavender is really just another shade of purple so she called her campaign Purple Day for epilepsy. They set the date for March 26, and the event has since grown to a worldwide movement, observed in dozens of countries, by politicians, schools, municipalities and individuals.

The aim of the Purple Day Campaign reflects Cassidy’s original intent: to raise awareness of epilepsy, which is captured in a letter Cassidy wrote to supporters, and I quote: “I started Purple Day because when I first found out that I had epilepsy I was afraid and embarrassed of what other people would think. I also thought I was the only kid in the world with epilepsy. I wanted to have one day where everyone in the world could show support for people with epilepsy and teach people about epilepsy.”

Epilepsy affects over 10,000 people in Newfoundland and Labrador, and more than 50 million people worldwide. I am so pleased to bring Purple Day to the attention of this House and my Honourable colleagues as I invite all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to wear purple on March 26.

2011 03 24             1:50 p.m.