Purple Hair 4 Epilepsy draws attention to the need for research funding

If later this month you see a middle-aged executive with purple hair on the streets of Toronto, chances are it will be business consultant Gary Collins, who also serves as Executive Director of Epilepsy Canada.

March 26 is International Epilepsy Awareness Day and Gary has committed to dye his hair purple on that day to raise money for epilepsy research.   

Gary Collins, Executive Director Epilepsy Canada

Over 300,000 Canadians, including Mr. Collins, have been diagnosed with epilepsy. Another 15,000 will be diagnosed this year. Children and seniors are the two most frequently diagnosed groups.

Epilepsy affects one of every 100 people worldwide. Gary was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 30.  The diagnosis immediately raised safety concerns and impacted his job and family.  “I worked in sales and immediately my driver’s license was suspended and I was unable to fly to see customers alone.” 

Gary volunteered to help at Epilepsy Canada because he considers himself extremely fortunate.  He says, “Things turned out OK for me. After a short trial, my doctors were able to find medication that controlled the seizures and allowed me to resume my career and a normal life. That’s not the case for many.”

With correct diagnosis and medication up to 70% of epileptics are able to live productive lives, seizure free.  But much more needs to be done to find therapies to help the 30% who have seizures that are resistant to drug therapies.

During March, Epilepsy Awareness month, people are being encouraged to donate to Epilepsy Canada’s research grants program.  Since 1966, Epilepsy Canada has annually funded important epilepsy research projects at major Canadian hospitals and universities.  Money raised by the Purple Hair 4 Epilepsy and other initiatives will contribute to keeping the funding program alive.
Those who wish to sponsor Gary or others who have pledged to colour their hair purple can do so online at Purple Hair 4 Epilepsy.com