Purple haze coming to Niagara
Kiera Welton says a single seizure doesn’t define her.
The 11-year-old Niagara Falls girl had a seizure in 2013 and she now shares her experience with others as an ambassador for Epilepsy Niagara.
The tween is among a team of five Purple Day youth ambassadors from across Niagara who work to raise awareness of the illness through public speaking and school-based events leading up to Epilepsy Awareness Day on Sunday, March 26.
“The ambassador program is really great for kids,” said Kristin Welton, Kiera’s mother and executive director of Epilepsy Niagara.
“They’re all role models and it really helps to empower them and empowerment is key.”
This year, an Ontario grocery store chain is supporting the initiative.
Zehrs Market locations across the province, including Niagara’s four stores, are participating in a fundraising campaign by selling purple T-shirts and collecting donations at the checkout.
“The campaign was initially held at a Zehrs store in Guelph and it worked so well that this year they’re co-ordinating it provincewide,” Welton said.
The campaign runs March 18 to 26. Also, a fundraising barbecue will be held March 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Welland location on Niagara Street.
“Zehrs is pleased to be able to support Epilepsy Niagara,” said Steve Crawford, assistant store manager at the Niagara Falls location.
Also, a purple toga event, Veni Vidi Vici, will be held Friday, March 24, at Taps on Queen on Queen Street in the Falls.
Epilepsy Niagara offers various programs, support groups, works shops and seminars for people living with epilepsy and those affected by the neurological disorder. All service are free. The charity also offers free seizure first aid training.
The agency works with more than 1,000 people annually.
For further information visit www.epilepsyniagara.org.