Purple Day®2026 · Date · History
Purple Day’s official site says Cassidy Megan created the idea in 2008, the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes helped develop it, and Cassidy, EAM and the Anita Kaufmann Foundation launched it internationally in 2009. Current Purple Day and Epilepsy Foundation material identify March 26 as the annual global epilepsy-awareness date.
About Purple Day®
Purple Day® is a global epilepsy-awareness initiative observed on March 26. People and organizations are encouraged to wear purple and take part in activities that increase understanding of epilepsy.
The official Purple Day history credits Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia with creating the idea in 2008, with the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes helping develop it and the Anita Kaufmann Foundation joining the international launch in 2009.
Why Purple Day® matters
Purple Day aims to reduce stigma, correct myths and help people affected by epilepsy feel less isolated.
It is an awareness campaign, not medical advice. Diagnosis, medication changes, seizure plans and emergency questions belong with qualified healthcare professionals and current clinical guidance.
History of Purple Day®
Cassidy Megan created the idea of Purple Day in 2008 after her own experience with epilepsy.
The Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes helped develop the initiative in 2008.
In 2009, Cassidy Megan, the association and the Anita Kaufmann Foundation launched Purple Day internationally; March 26 remains the campaign’s annual date.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Cassidy Megan
The official Purple Day history says Cassidy Megan created the idea of Purple Day in 2008.
First documented observance
Official Purple Day and Epilepsy Foundation history identify 2008 as the campaign’s beginning/creation year.
Purple Day launched internationally, expanding the 2008 grassroots initiative into a global epilepsy-awareness campaign.
Cassidy Megan, Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes, and The Anita Kaufmann Foundation
Purple Day Team — Cassidy Megan, Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes, and The Anita Kaufmann Foundation
The official Purple Day history identifies these partners as the global sponsors/team supporting the international campaign.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
6 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
Also known as
Epilepsy Awareness / Purple Day
How to Observe Purple Day®
Wear purple on March 26 and share accurate, stigma-reducing epilepsy information.
Use current materials from established epilepsy organizations rather than repeating myths about seizures.
Support community events or fundraising while respecting the privacy of people living with epilepsy.
For personal diagnosis, treatment or emergency advice, use qualified medical care rather than a calendar guide.
Purple Day® Facts
Purple Day is observed annually on March 26.
Cassidy Megan created the idea in 2008.
The initiative launched internationally in 2009 with the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes and the Anita Kaufmann Foundation.
Purple Day is a global epilepsy-awareness campaign.
Participation never requires someone to disclose a diagnosis or personal medical history.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Health Information Not Medical Advice.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Purple Day — About / Purple Beginnings (opens in a new tab)
Official Campaign History
Purple Day — official campaign home (opens in a new tab)
Official Campaign Current
Epilepsy Foundation — Purple Day (opens in a new tab)
Major Health Nonprofit Current
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Purple Day®?
26 March The documented recurrence rule is: 26 March.
Does Purple Day® fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Purple Day® an official public holiday?
Within the reviewed scope, it is identified as Global epilepsy-awareness initiative observed March 26; health-awareness campaign, not medical advice or a public holiday. That status is not automatically extended to other countries or jurisdictions.
Who established or recognizes Purple Day®?
The documented basis is: Purple Day’s official site says Cassidy Megan created the idea in 2008, the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes helped develop it, and Cassidy, EAM and the Anita Kaufmann Foundation launched it internationally in 2009. Current Purple Day and Epilepsy Foundation material identify March 26 as the annual global epilepsy-awareness date.. Supporting evidence includes Purple Day — About / Purple Beginnings. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is Purple Day® international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: Global epilepsy-awareness initiative observed March 26; health-awareness campaign, not medical advice or a public holiday. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-04.
When is Purple Day?
Purple Day is observed every year on March 26.
Who created Purple Day?
Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia created the idea in 2008.
When did Purple Day become international?
The official campaign history says Cassidy Megan, the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes and the Anita Kaufmann Foundation launched it internationally in 2009.
Is this page medical advice?
No. Use qualified healthcare professionals and current clinical guidance for personal epilepsy diagnosis, treatment or emergency questions.
Other observances on March 26
These observances are also listed on March 26, 2027.
Air Max Day
Nike identifies March 26 as Air Max Day, an annual celebration of Nike Air, and states that the day has been observed since 2014. Current Nike material continues to steward the observance.
Día Nacional por la Vida, la Paz y la Justicia
El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly calendar records Legislative Decree No. 952 declaring March 26 of every year as the National Day for Life, Peace and Justice.
Independence Day
Bangladesh’s Constitution expressly identifies 26 March 1971 as the independence-proclamation date, and current government information confirms recurring Independence and National Day obser…
Make Up Your Own Holiday Day
The first-party Wellcat Holidays calendar lists Make Up Your Own Holiday Day on March 26 and identifies Thomas and Ruth Roy as creators of the collection; no launch year or formal legal sta…
Martyrs’ Day
Current Malian official sources identify March 26 as Journée des Martyrs tied to victims of the March 1991 events; official diplomatic information lists it among public holidays.
Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Day
Hawaiʻi law designates 26 March as Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Day.