Supporting People with Epilepsy – Celebrating Purple Day 2025
26 March 2025
March 26 marks Purple Day - a dedicated date to raising support and awareness for epilepsy and the research into treating the condition. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is proud to be leading the research in South Wales with a dedicated unit and many ongoing clinical trials.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a common condition, affecting around 630,000 people in the UK and 50 million people globally. It is a neurological condition where people have seizures that start in the brain.
The brain uses electrical signals to control how we move, think and feel, and it is a disruption to these electrical signals that cause a seizure. Epilepsy affects each individual differently and there are many different ways a person may have a seizure.
There are many causes of epilepsy from genetic causes to acquired causes such as after a stroke, brain injury, or infection. People with epilepsy are disproportionately affected by poor mental health, such as stress, anxiety or depression. Poor self-esteem due to the condition and stigma that surrounds the condition can have a large impact on mental and emotional wellbeing.