A delicious way to support epilepsy awareness – purple pancakes!

by Lorraine Payette, written March 14, 2014

(Gananoque, ON) As the temperatures improve and the sap starts running, it’s time once again to celebrate Purple Day in support of the Epilepsy Resource Centre. And what better way to celebrate than to sit down to a breakfast of purple pancakes.

“Approximately 30 people attended at the Gananoque location (in 2013) and enjoyed some delicious ‘purple’ blueberry pancakes, yogurt, fruit and more, while having the opportunity to learn more about epilepsy,” wrote Susan Harrison, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Resource Centre (ERC). “It was a great way of bringing the community together and your support assisted us in accomplishing our goal of helping the community with the challenges created by epilepsy.”

The centre is a non-profit organization whose goal is to develop awareness and improve the quality of life for people with seizure disorders and epilepsy.

“We provide support, education, and advocacy services for people affected by epilepsy, and are a community resource for epilepsy education and awareness in the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington and Leeds & Grenville areas,” says Harrison.

All of March has been declared as Epilepsy Awareness month, with Purple Day falling on March 26. This date is recognized internationally as Epilepsy Awareness Day, and people are encouraged to show their support by wearing purple and participating in purple activities.

“We are continuing our efforts of bringing epilepsy out of the shadows and supporting those affected with this condition,” says Harrison. “We are pleased to announce the second year of Purple Pancakes for Epilepsy on March 22, 2.014. For this event, we will be inviting the local community to enjoy a blueberry pancake breakfast again at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Gananoque. Rather than charging an admission fee, and to keep the event accessible to all, entrance will be by donation in hopes of covering our costs only. The main objective for this event is to bring the community together to learn about epilepsy and connect with people affected by this disorder.”

The ERC is looking for supporters, and has a sponsorship programme in place. They are looking for donations of gift certificates, food and drink as well as financial gifts. There are different levels of sponsorship, and each is designed not only to be easy on the giver, but to do the most possible to assist the ERC.

“On behalf of the Purple Month Committee at the Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder Resource Centre, thank you for the consideration of our request,” says Harrison. “We hope that you can join us again this year and it is our hope that, with the help of your sponsorship and support, we will be one step closer to bringing epilepsy out of the shadows.”

To learn more about how you can participate, please contact Harrison at admin@epilepsyresource.org, or Farwah Iqbal at fiqbal@epilepsyresource.org. They may be reached by phone at 613-542-6222.

The breakfast will be held on Saturday, March 22, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 175 Stone Street South in Gananoque. A donation of any size is gratefully accepted to cover costs and help ERC. The church is fully accessible, and all are welcome.