moved for leave to introduce Bill C-278, An Act respecting a day to increase public awareness about epilepsy.
Mr. Speaker, this bill would declare March 26 Purple Day in recognition of epilepsy awareness.
Purple Day was founded in 2008 by Cassidy Megan, who lives in my riding of Halifax West. At the time she was only nine years old. Her objective was to let other children with epilepsy know that they were not alone.
Purple Day is a grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. Thanks to the leadership and dedication of Cassidy and Epilepsy Nova Scotia, Purple Day is now celebrated in more than 35 countries.
As in previous years, on March 26 people around the globe, including members of this House, wore purple to spread the word about epilepsy, which affects over 50 million people worldwide. That is more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's disease combined.
Greater understanding of this disease will help educate people about what to do when someone is having a seizure and will help give epileptics more safety and support.
The bill would enshrine March 26 in law as the date each year when we Canadians wear purple to raise awareness of epilepsy.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)