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Paint your pumpkins purple for epilepsy awareness

Families throughout Simcoe County are encouraged to paint and decorate a purple pumpkin in support of epilepsy awareness
purple pumpkin project AdobeStock_218932404
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NEWS RELEASE
EPILEPSY SIMCOE COUNTY
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Epilepsy Simcoe County is pleased to announce their third annual Purple Pumpkin Project in support of continuing the conversation about epilepsy awareness.

Epilepsy Simcoe County’s Executive Director Shawna Bailey says that there is often a stigma around seizures, epilepsy, and what it means for the individual.  “We brought this project to Simcoe County to open up the needed conversations about epilepsy.  People are often afraid of what they don’t know, and we’re here to help bridge that gap.”

The first Purple Pumpkin Project was created in 2012 in the United States by Ron Lamontagne.  While driving past a local pumpkin patch with his family one September, Ron realized that painting pumpkins purple would help create awareness of epilepsy when people were asked, “why is your pumpkin purple?”

Even though people may choose not to go out trick-or-treating this year due to Covid-19,  Epilepsy Simcoe County is encouraging families throughout Simcoe County to paint or decorate a pumpkin purple this year in support of epilepsy awareness.  Families can also find posters and a colouring page on their website here.

Individuals who wish to make a monetary donation to the project can do so on the agency’s website by clicking here.  Money raised will go towards continuing to provide epilepsy and seizure awareness and first-aid in classrooms across our region.  “While we’ve had to cancel many of our fundraisers for this year due to the pandemic, our schools still need us for ongoing support.”

All information, as well as ways to get involved, can be found on Epilepsy Simcoe County’s website.

About Epilepsy Simcoe County

Epilepsy Simcoe County (ESC) was established in 1978 as a volunteer organization to assist the people of Simcoe County with education, support, awareness and advocacy. They are located in downtown Barrie and serve their member base in the Greater Simcoe County area. ESC provides people living with epilepsy education, understanding and support to get help they may need in a caring and understanding environment.

Epilepsy is a common disease with over 300,000 Canadians affected and over 50 million people world wide. It is estimated 1 in 100 people in Simcoe County live with this disease.

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