Epilepsy Awareness Month

Categories:: Health
Tags:: Awareness
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every November
Holiday emoji:: 💜

Epilepsy Awareness Month takes place every November, dedicated to shining a light on this complex neurological condition. Join the global effort to educate, advocate, and support the millions living with epilepsy. Learn about its causes, symptoms, and the ongoing research to find a cure.

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Expected Epilepsy Awareness Month Deals

During Epilepsy Awareness Month, the focus shifts from commercial deals to crucial fundraising and advocacy. Organizations like the Epilepsy Foundation and CURE Epilepsy often partner with corporate sponsors to amplify their message. Look for donation-matching campaigns, special merchandise sales where proceeds benefit research, and ’round-up at checkout’ initiatives at retailers like CVS Health or Walgreens. Pharmaceutical companies such as UCB and Takeda may also support educational programs and patient resources. We will update this page with confirmed live campaigns as November approaches.

Platform Guide for Epilepsy Awareness Month

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #EpilepsyAwarenessMonth. Share facts, personal stories, and research updates to drive conversation.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #EpilepsyAwarenessMonth. Engage with community groups and share resources for support.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #EpilepsyAwarenessMonth. Post visuals of purple ribbons, share infographics, or highlight patient stories.

Epilepsy Awareness Month Hero

Dr. William Gordon Lennox

Dr. William Gordon Lennox (1884–1960) was a pioneering American epileptologist who significantly advanced the understanding and treatment of epilepsy. He established the first electroencephalography (EEG) laboratory in the United States at Harvard Medical School and conducted groundbreaking research on seizure classification and genetics. His work laid much of the foundation for modern epileptology, transforming the perception of epilepsy from a mysterious ailment to a treatable neurological condition.

Epilepsy Awareness Month timeline

1990

Workplace discrimination policies

These are a series of official employment statutes designed to remove prejudice against working people with epilepsy.

1980

People with epilepsy finally allowed to marry in the U.S.

The stigma is a troubling one — especially when you consider that for years Americans with epilepsy were denied the right to marry.

1912

Phenobarbital became the first modern epilepsy treatment

Phenobarbital, one of the most commonly used medicines to contain or reduce seizures, became the first modern treatment for epilepsy.

1850

The Queen of England's doctor treated epilepsy

Queen Victoria's obstetrician introduced potassium bromide as a way to successfully treat epilepsy.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Epilepsy Awareness Month

Local businesses can honor Epilepsy Awareness Month by hosting educational events or partnering with local advocacy groups. Restaurants might offer a special ‘purple’ menu item with a portion of proceeds donated to an epilepsy foundation. Retailers could create window displays featuring purple ribbons and provide informational brochures. Consider training staff on seizure first aid, demonstrating a commitment to supporting employees and customers who may be affected by epilepsy. Agencies can offer pro-bono marketing support to help spread awareness messages.

Epilepsy Awareness Month FAQs

When is Epilepsy Awareness Month?

Epilepsy Awareness Month 2026 runs throughout November, dedicated to fostering understanding and support for those living with epilepsy. It’s a time for global education and advocacy.

How many people are affected by epilepsy?

Globally, approximately 50 million people live with epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological conditions worldwide. This figure highlights the widespread impact of the disorder.

What is the economic impact of epilepsy?

The annual economic burden of epilepsy in the U.S. is estimated to be over $15 billion, encompassing medical costs, lost productivity, and premature mortality. This highlights the substantial societal cost.

What is the significance of the purple ribbon for epilepsy awareness?

The purple ribbon is the international symbol for epilepsy awareness, chosen to represent solitude and isolation, feelings often experienced by those with the condition. It serves as a powerful visual identifier.

How to Observe Epilepsy Awareness Month

Register for an epilepsy walk
Communities all over the country will raise funds in a variety of ways including walks. One of the largest is the upcoming 2020 Epilepsy Walk at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. But wherever you choose to walk, remember that you are helping to fight a debilitating disease that affects people of all ages and ethnicities. So, put on your best sneakers and join your friends for a walk to benefit a very good cause.
Add a name to a Remembrance Wall
The Epilepsy Foundation has a Remembrance Wall where you can add the name of a loved one who has passed away from epilepsy or its related causes. You can also establish a sort of wall on your Facebook page or Twitter feed. Ask your friends, family, and anyone else you know who has been affected by epilepsy to sign in the memory of someone else. It's a beautiful and healing thing to do.
Break out the purple.
Each evening, let a purple light shine in your window. Tie purple ribbons around that old oak tree. Bake purple cupcakes and make purple pancakes. Wear a purple pin. Got enough ideas now?

5 Things You Never Knew About Epilepsy

Anyone can have a seizure
People with epilepsy are not the only ones to suffer seizures; your risk may increase if you have high fever, low blood sugar, are undergoing drug or alcohol withdrawal — or even if you're experiencing a concussion following head trauma.
It might be random
Two-thirds of people who suffer from epilepsy have no specific cause for their condition.
Vincent Van Gogh may have had seizures
Art and medical historians speculate that Van Gogh's use of yellow in his paintings resulted from xanthopsia, a condition where the sufferer sees life through a yellow filter. Xanthopsia was a side effect of digitales, a medication used to treat epilepsy.
It's a myth that you can swallow your tongue during a seizure
When someone has a seizure, carefully roll them on their side because if you try to put something in their mouth during a seizure, the person can injure their jaw, chip teeth or damage their gums.
It can be fatal
People with epilepsy who fall, lose consciousness, or have lengthy successions of seizures can die.

Why Epilepsy Awareness Month is Important

It affects the brain
Epilepsy is a neurological condition in the brain that triggers seizures. Doctors believe that a brain's uncontrolled increase of excess electrical activity hampers its normal functions — causing a short interruption to messages traveling back and forth within the brain. This interruption causes epileptic seizures.
It causes different types of seizures
Seizures don't affect everyone the same way. The symptoms range from rapidly blinking eyes to someone going into a state where they stare blankly for a few minutes. Some people suffer a short interval of confusion. The more serious seizures involve falling to the ground with strong muscle contractions followed by a brief disorientation.
It can attack randomly
There are two kinds of epilepsy — crytogenic and idiopathic. Crytogenic people with epilepsy have no clearly identifiable cause for their condition. Idiopathic people with epilepsy show no neurological disorder, but these sufferers have symptoms consistent with people who are officially diagnosed with epileptic syndromes.