The city of Buenos Aires has lit up its monuments in purple to raise awareness of epilepsy

Buenos Aires joined “purple day” Some public buildings were lit up in purple. The goal is to seek active community participation to raise awareness about epilepsy.

As part of the proposal, The Obelisk, the Legislature of Buenos Aires, the Public Flowers, the Lezama Palace, the Arts Factory, the Memorial Tower, the Monument to the Spaniards, and the Women's Bridge.

Epileptic seizures It occurs when the brain's electrical system stops working properly for a short period of time, causing abnormal electrical activity to discharge. The causes vary depending on the type of epilepsy and may be symptoms of a structural lesion.

There are two basic types of epileptic seizures: generalized seizures, in which discharges affect both hemispheres, and focal seizures, in which discharges begin in a specific area of ​​the brain. Most often, crises appear suddenly and unexpectedly. They are short, lasting a few seconds or a few minutes at most.

The most striking is Seizures (generalized tonic-clonic seizures) The person loses consciousness, becomes rigid, and begins to shake. Another type of crisis is a momentary interruption from the environment lasting a few seconds, called absence). About 20 to 30% of epilepsy patients will not be able to control their seizures with one or more medications, form treatment-resistant epilepsy, and seek other alternatives such as surgery, neurostimulation, or ketogenic therapy.

Estimates indicate that Epilepsy affects approximately 1 in 100 people in ArgentinaWithout distinction of age, gender or social class. Seizures tend to appear in childhood or late adolescence, but their incidence increases again after the age of 65, according to data provided by LACE (Argentine League Against Epilepsy).

In Argentina, Law No. 25404 It seeks to protect the full exercise of rights and prohibits any discriminatory action, provides special protection measures for persons with epilepsy, does not constitute an obstacle to their integration into society, whether with regard to education or work, and provides comprehensive medical assistance. It also stipulates the necessity of conducting correct research, education, prevention, diagnosis and monitoring programs throughout the national territory.

Purple Day is a global event that aims to raise global awareness of epilepsy and dispel common myths and fears about this neurological disorder. It was started in 2008 by a nine-year-old girl named cassidy megan, Motivated by her battle against epilepsy. Other NGOs joined together to launch Purple Day globally and increase the participation of associations, schools, companies, politicians and celebrities. Since the beginning, many buildings around the world have been illuminated on March 26 every year, and thousands of people wear purple on that day to show their support for people with epilepsy.

Thanks to a project presented by Buenos Aires legislator Claudio Romero, of the PRO bloc, the city joined the movement this year. “I am happy that the city has joined this initiative to spread and raise awareness about epilepsy in Argentina. Stigmas and myths are being broken with information, which is why we must make people and families suffering from this disease visible, act and support them,” said Romero. The day highlighted the work of Dr. Roberto Caraballo, Head of the Department of Neurology at Grahan, and Maria Marta Bertone, President of FundHemi, an organization pioneering the publication of this day.