Cassidy Megan
Cassidy Megan is 24 years old and from Nova Scotia, Canada. She is the founder of Purple Day. Purple Day is an epilepsy awareness day that is recognized and celebrated globally every year on March 26th. Cassidy founded Purple Day in 2008 due to her own struggles with epilepsy; she wanted to find others in the world who had epilepsy and let them know that they don’t have to feel scared and afraid like she did, and wanted to let them know that they are not alone in their journey. She also wants to teach those without epilepsy to not be afraid and how to help someone if they see them having a seizure. Over the years working on Purple Day and with epilepsy advocacy, Cassidy has had the honour of speaking across the globe both virtually and in person at various organizations, hospitals, schools, universities, epilepsy associations, conferences, webinars and events. Cassidy has spoken in person in places such as six cities in Japan, five states in India, various places within the United States and Canada. She has participated in virtual events, Instagram Lives, conferences and webinars with organizations, chapters of the IBE and ILAE and medical professionals in places like Brazil, Australia, Africa, Ukraine, Korea, UK, as well places across the USA, Canada, and more. Cassidy also has a YouTube channel where she posts a podcast called Unmasked with Cassidy Megan; in this podcast she interviews those living with epilepsy as well as professionals in the epilepsy field covering topics such EEGs, Keto diet, VNS, memory, mental health and more.
This Award is given to an individual to recognise his or her outstanding personal contribution to activities that have resulted in a significant advance in the social well being and or quality of life of people with epilepsy. Those honoured receive a scroll and a cheque.
The Award for Social Accomplishment in Epilepsy is given jointly by the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE). The Award will be made not more than once every two years.
Social Accomplishment Award Recipients:
2021 Arlette Honein, Lebanon
2019 Carlos Acevedo, Chile
2017 Susan Axelrod, USA
2015 Shunglon Lai, Taiwan ROC
2013 Jane Hannah, United Kingdom
2011 Dr Pravina Shah, India
2009 Dr. Michael Hills, New Zealand
2007 Dr John G Kirker, Ireland
2005 Mrs Hanneke de Boer, The Netherlands
2003 Dr Chi-Wan Lai, Taiwan
2001 Dr C.C. Park, Korea
1999 Dr J.K. Austin, U.S.A.
1997 Dr K.S. Mani, India
1995 Mr T. Coelho and Ms. E. Savage, U.S.A.
1993 Mrs P.A. Gibson, U.S.A.
1991 Mrs C. Pickering, Kenya
1989 Dr R.L. Masland, U.S.A.
1987 Mrs N. Hernandez, U.S.A
1985 Dr A. Arcaya, Chile
1983 Mrs E. Grass, U.S.A.
1982 Dr G. van Wessem, Italy
1981 Mr L.H. Brulleman, Netherlands
1980 Mr G.Burden, England
