THAT the District of Mackenzie light up the Rec Centre in purple on March 26, 2024 for International Purple Day for Epilepsy awareness;
AND THAT the District pass the following motion:
WHEREAS Purple Day is celebrated on March 26 annually, during Epilepsy Awareness Month, to increase the knowledge and understanding of epilepsy in the community;
AND WHEREAS Purple Day was founded in 2008 by Cassidy Megan, a nine-year-old girl from Nova Scotia, who wanted people living with epilepsy that they were not alone;
AND WHEREAS On Purple Day, people in communities around the world are encouraged to wear purple and host events in support of epilepsy awareness;
AND WHEREAS There are over 50,000 people in British Columbia, over 380,000 people in Canada and over 65 Million people worldwide living with epilepsy;
AND WHEREAS The onset of epilepsy can occur at any stage of life and does not discriminate against age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, geographic location, or sexual orientation;
AND WHEREAS Purple Day can improve the quality of life of people living with epilepsy, create a society that embraces the beauty of difference and help us understand how we can all come together to make the world a better place:
NOW THEREFORE I, Mayor Joan Atkinson, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM Tuesday March 26th, 2024 as “PURPLE DAY” in the District of Mackenzie.