The event is more than just a fundraiser for a community that has been hit hard by the pandemic
TORONTO, June 14, 2020 — Joined by Mayor John Tory, members of the epilepsy community will be gathering together virtually to celebrate the completion of the 7th Annual Purple Walk for Epilepsy Toronto. The Annual Purple Walk has always been a major fundraising event that supports Epilepsy Toronto and the over 40,000 people in the city who are living with epilepsy. However, the 2021 Virtual Purple Walk may be the most important Purple Walk yet for an organization and a community that has been hit hard by the pandemic.
“Rates of anxiety, depression and suicide are already two times higher among those living with epilepsy than the community average. COVID-19 has amplified these feelings of isolation and our members have needed us now more than ever. Epilepsy Toronto’s demand for services have increased by 30% over the past 12 months and we’re relying heavily on the success of our Virtual Purple Walk to help us to continue to serve our community during their time of need,” explains Epilepsy Toronto’s Executive Director, Geoff Bobb. “We’re thrilled to have the support of Mayor John Tory and for him to join us for this year’s event.”
Since all of Toronto’s summer events have been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Purple Walk which is usually hosted on the streets of downtown Toronto, will be held virtually for the second year in a row. Rather than meeting to walk together, participants are completing their own #PurplePride 1 in 100 challenge in honour of the 1 in 100 people in Canada who are living with epilepsy. But the Virtual Purple Walk is about so much more than completing fun challenges and raising funds for the Toronto-based charity. The event is a time for the entire epilepsy community to celebrate, support, and connect with one another after a long year of separation and cancelled events.
The celebration will feature participants from across the city sharing their personal stories with Mayor Tory. They will talk to him about their #PurplePride Challenges and their personal journey’s with epilepsy. Like the story of Alessandro, an inspirational 6-year-old boy who’s been fighting epilepsy for four years, and an enthusiastic participant who has gotten creative with his #PurplePride Challenge.
“His seizures are not controlled with medication. We hope that eventually we’ll find the cure. We’re still waiting to see if he’s a candidate for a brain surgery but because of COVID-19 everything is delayed. This is our third year participating in the Purple Walk in support of Epilepsy Toronto. For his #PurplePride Challenge, Alessandro has already raised nearly $2,500 by selling his paintings in our community bakery, as well selling them from his Instagram account.” – Roza Braun, Alessandro’s mother
The celebration event is happening via Zoom on Saturday, June 19th at 3:00PM and broadcast live on Epilepsy Toronto’s Facebook page.
For more information, contact: Mackenzie Muldoon, Director of Communications, Epilepsy Toronto | mackenzie@epilepsytoronto.org| (416) 230 – 4230
Epilepsy Toronto is a place where Torontonians living with epilepsy can learn more about their condition, get the help they need and be a part of a family of caring and supportive people. Epilepsy Toronto prioritizes individual needs, the importance of living as independently as possible and the benefits of community engagement. Their programs address all aspects of epilepsy from the first diagnosis of a child, to the struggles that young people face, to adult needs such as employment and relationships.
