Bakeries across the U.S. join campaign for epilepsy awareness

This week, bakeries across the United States are cooking up purple cupcakes in an effort to increase awareness about epilepsy nationwide. The Great Purple Cupcake Project is an initiative of The Anita Kaufmann Foundation -- an American epilepsy education organization and the US Sponsor of Purple Day for epilepsy awareness.

The Great Purple Cupcake Project provides a simple and delectable way for local businesses to educate their communities and support the international day for epilepsy awareness, Purple Day. Joining the project are over 75 bakeries from California to New York, ranging in size from family-owned shops to multi-store chains. Proceeds donated from purple cupcake sales will benefit epilepsy awareness.

"Cupcakes are a great way to get the word out about epilepsy. They appeal to everyone, young and old," says Heather Carter, Co-Owner of Cupcakes Gourmet in Frazer, PA. "It's our hope that attaching a cupcake to a health condition affecting so many will help get epilepsy the attention it deserves."

Epilepsy affects more than 3 million Americans and 50 million people worldwide.  That's one out of every 100 people! Yet, many people living with epilepsy still face discrimination due to a lack of awareness about the disorder.

Taking place on March 26th annually, Purple Day was founded in 2008, by nine-year-old Canadian, Cassidy Megan. Motivated by her own struggles with epilepsy, Cassidy created the day to tell other kids about the disorder and inform those with seizures that they are not alone. She named the day after the internationally recognized color for epilepsy, lavender. For more information, please visit www.purpleday.org.