February 2021
Epilepsy Awareness Month
Greetings from the Chief Executive Officer
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Our favourite time of the year is right around the corner and we can’t wait to hear about how you and your families are celebrating Epilepsy Awareness Month! Our team has planned a number of events and initiatives for you to join to help raise epilepsy awareness! You will find all the details within this newsletter – let’s go epilepsy warriors!
Warm regards,
Michelle Franklin
Chief Executive Officer
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It was 4 years ago now; our son MJ was 3. He had fainting spells, staring off into space. His head would droop, and he would look like he was falling asleep. He constantly had dark little circles under his eyes, always looking fatigued no matter the amount of sleep he got. We had a huge scare; he collapsed and fell asleep on us. It presented like a Diabetic Coma. We were so scared and panicked. We rushed him to the emergency room at Chatham Kent Health Alliance, where they performed many tests. The on-call doctor ordered an EEG when he observed MJ to be sound asleep and suddenly began screaming and thrashing.
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Our little guy was referred to the Neurology Department at London Health Sciences Centre, where more testing revealed signs of seizures. It was MOTHER’S DAY of 2017 the formal diagnosis came. Things were so blurry to us, so emotional as we tried to figure out this new pathway of care for our son. I knew of epilepsy and had some training with work. I felt an urge to reach out to someone. I knew that I did not want our family to be alone. I knew that I wanted support for MJ, someone more qualified than me, to teach us, advocate with us and educate his teachers, peers, and school.
We found the contact information for our local epilepsy educator from Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario, amongst the piles of paper from one of our Neurology appointments. We called the number and have been connected ever since. We have enjoyed playdates, activities and have connected with other families. PURPLE day is a big deal at our house! We rally behind MJ and wear purple, we put up posters at school, work and encourage family members to wear purple.
This journey with a loved one with epilepsy has taught us; patience, it has taught us acceptance of someone different than ourselves. Our little MJ, now 8 is a whole lot stronger, resilient than we ever imagined. We would like to encourage other families to reach out, talk and share their stories.
We want you to know that you are so brave, strong, and courageous. You can do anything you set your mind to. Do not let epilepsy rob you of your JOY in the moments doing the things you love!
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March is Epilepsy Awareness Month
Ways To Get Involved
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March is National Epilepsy Awareness Month and it’s just around the corner. We encourage our community members to get involved in raising awareness about epilepsy, seizures, and seizure first aid in as many ways as possible. Epilepsy Awareness Month is an excellent opportunity to begin a discussion about epilepsy, educate the public and break down the stigma of epilepsy.
Looking for ideas on how to get involved?
- ESWO is hosting a 1 in 100 Challenge. 1 in 100 people live with epilepsy and so we challenge you to raise $100 during March Epilepsy Awareness Month. Collect pledges for doing 100 push-ups, reach out to 100 friends, bake 100 cookies… it’s completely up to you how you reach the $100 target, and you have until ESWO’s Purple Palooza event on Purple Day to get there! Create your own campaign and share it with friends! More information on our website.
- Purple Nation: We want to see your purple places and purple people! Decorate your door, put up purple decorations in your house, put on your purple shirt, and dig out that purple wig! We want to see our Purple Nation decked out to spread awareness. Please send us your pictures to melissa@epilepsyswo.ca and tag us on social media. Each person who sends a photo will be entered into a draw to win an Epilepsy Awareness Month Prize Pack!
- Purple Palooza: On Friday, March 26 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm, you are invited to join us live virtually for our Purple Palooza! More information below, plus tickets and event details available here.
- Online Auction: Not able to attend our Purple Palooza, but you’d still like to support us? Please consider sending a donation or bidding on our virtual silent auction, which opens on March 19. Watch for information here.
- MacBook Air Raffle- Working from home? Kids online learning? Buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a new Apple MacBook Air! 13.3" w/ touch ID (2020) Value $2300.Tickets: $25, available until March 25. Big thank you to Festival City Glass & Tint for sponsoring! Contact bailey@epilepsyswo.ca to purchase your tickets.
Share with us how you’ll be spreading awareness during March!
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Purple Palooza
Friday, March 26, 2021
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When: Friday, March 26, 2021. 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm.
Where: The comfort of your home.
Cost: $25/household. Includes magician performance, guest speakers, interactive game and digital swag.
Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario invites you to join us live virtually for our 35th Annual Spring Gala “Purple Palooza”. Take this opportunity to celebrate March Epilepsy Awareness month, wear your purple, order from one of our dinner partners, and show your support for individuals and families affected by epilepsy across our community! The event will include recognition of our H.O.P.E. Award recipient, Techdoz; entertaining performance from a magician, special guests, an interactive game, and an online auction. Our goal is to raise $35,000 to help support our Public Education Programs throughout Southwestern Ontario, and we truly need your support!
We know we just held a Virtual Gala on November 6 (our April 2020 Gala was delayed numerous times due to COVID-19), but we are getting ourselves back on track with our 2021 Gala and are hoping you can join us. We appreciate your support!
For more information, and to purchase your tickets, visit: https://trellis.org/purple-palooza
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The following flyer will be shared with a school in our community. If you're interested in having one created for your child, please contact bailey@epilepsyswo.ca.
Click the flyer to view larger.
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Our Generous and Valued Contributors
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Entertainment Contributors:
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Technology Sponsor:
Techdoz
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Epilepsy Links
What's Happening on the Internet
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Purple Daisy Days
The Purple Pansy flower boutique has teamed up with ESWO to raise money for epilepsy education and support services in Chatham-Kent. Purchase a bunch of purple daisies for $11 and the proceeds will be donated back to ESWO.
Pick-up is March 12, 2021! Order yours today by calling 519-354-5555!
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Event Committee
ESWO is looking to host a large community event this summer and we need your help! Are you interested in sitting on an event committee? Contact sandra@epilepsyswo.ca for more information and to join.
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Chatham, Windsor, Emeryville, LaSalle, Leamington & Sarnia
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Oven 360, March 26
Order a pizza or panini for pickup at any of the Oven 360 locations on Purple Day (March 26) and ESWO will receive a 20% kickback. Available for PICKUP ONLY.
Kickback does not apply if using a delivery service such as Uber Eats. You MUST include a note in your online order that it is for the ESWO gala or mention the ESWO gala to the cashier at the time of pickup for a kickback to be received.
Please note, since it’s a Friday night, please order early.
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Cook for A Cause
Order takeout and support ESWO through Palasad Socialbowl’s Cook for a Cause program which will run February 16-27 + Purple Day (March 26).
For every pickup order placed over $25 at either location, $10 will be donated to ESWO. Please type ESWO in the promo code box to qualify. More information here.
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Third Party - International Purple Day Charity Stream
Do you love online games? Are you a gamer looking for a new way to support your community this March? What better way to contribute to Epilepsy Awareness Month and beat the pandemic blues than join together online and play some games?! Tune in to twitch.tv/ladyrosalique Thursday, March 25 between 1:30pm to 1:30am and Friday, March 26 between 12:00pm to 12:00am. This event is open to all regions! All donations made during the stream go towards ESWO! For more information, contact sarah@epilepsyswo.ca!
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