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12 AWARENESS CAMPAIGN WHY WE MADE MARCH PURPLE FOR EPILEPSY By Emily Devon. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions, affecting 50 million 1 people world-wide. Every week in Australia, 280 people are diagnosed with epilepsy, and one in 10 people will experience a seizure during their lifetime.1 As epilepsy is a brain disorder, it can affect many different systems throughout the body.2 These electrical disruptions can cause a range of symptoms – for example, some people stare off into space, some make jerky movements, others lose consciousness.2 “Epilepsy reaches far into the community. From your uncle, your aunt, to your brother or sister, we all have a connection to epilepsy.” Make March Purple for Epilepsy (MMPE) is an Australia-wide campaign supported by epilepsy organisations across the country. The 2021 campaign involved pharmacies across Australia staging events and selling merchandise that included a selection of pens, toys and badges for customers, in support of and to raise donations for MMPE. ‘Purple pooch walk’ Buderim Pharmacy on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast held a ‘Purple pooch walk’ in support of MMPE. Its owner, Alistair Cook, and his team have previously hosted morning teas, dress-up days and other MMPE events. “This year we wanted to do something different, and we know the Buderim community love their four- legged friends,” Business Manager Kym Gillespie said. “Each March we find it’s a conversation starter when the purple comes out. On March 26, Retail Pharmacy Assistants magazine also raised donations in support of MMPE, collecting enough funds to provide a vital information pack to a family in which epilepsy had been recently diagnosed. First aid for seizures Epilepsy Australia’s website features a downloadable guide for responses to seizures. It addresses different types of seizures and the appropriate actions to be taken for them. The main initial advice for seizure response is: • • • • Remain calm. Protect the person from injury. Gently talk to the person, and assure them they are OK. Call 000 only when applicable (refer to the guide). Visit epilepsyaustralia.net/ seizure-first-aid/ to download the First Aid guide. To learn more about epilepsy, make a donation or host your own event for next year’s MMPE, visit epilepsyaustralia.net or epilepsyqueensland.com.au References 1. Make March Purple for Epilepsy, 2021. Epilepsy Queensland campaign. 2. Healthline, 2019. ‘The effects of epilepsy on the body’. healthline.com/health/epilepsy/effects-on-body 3. Epilepsy Australia, 2021. ‘Seizure first aid’. epilepsyaustralia.net/seizure-first-aid/ RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • APR 2021