World Purple Day: Helping Those with Epilepsy in Metro Detroit

By: Deepti Zutshi, M.D., Wayne Health Department of Neurology

Epilepsy affects 1 in 100 people worldwide. In the United States, 1 in 26 people will have a seizure during their lifetime.

Around the globe, March 26 is designated as World Purple Day to support and raise awareness for people living with epilepsy. Life with epilepsy can be a struggle for many, not only because of seizures, but because of restrictions affecting driving, memory, mood and quality of life.

Ambassadors from health care and epilepsy foundations help to educate the public to dispel myths about epilepsy and to offer patients with epilepsy a guiding light to know that they are not alone.

In southeast Michigan, there is a large diversity of patients who have epilepsy. To reach them, we offer educational and outreach programs, not only for patients, but for their family members and caregivers. Our goal is to engage patients in understanding the nuances of this life-changing neurological condition. Through grants, our physicians have built a local website for resources on epilepsy so that patients can learn and have an interactive educational experience. Our group also collaborates with the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan, participating as invited guest faculty members and helping in annual fundraisers.

At Wayne Health, our team of epilepsy experts offers a comprehensive range of services for patients at a Level 4 North American Epilepsy-Centered (NAEC) accredited Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. From diagnostic testing to highly specialized epilepsy surgical treatments, we help patients achieve seizure control and improve their quality of life. To learn more about our Wayne Health epilepsy services, visit our website.