Community
7 April, 2024
Purple plushies for epilepsy
AS a cute and fun way to raise awareness and funds for local patients living with epilepsy, a Cairns Hospital employee is rallying the community to purchase over 1000 adorable purple plushies to support Epilepsy Queensland.
AS a cute and fun way to raise awareness and funds for local patients living with epilepsy, a Cairns Hospital employee is rallying the community to purchase over 1000 adorable purple plushies to support Epilepsy Queensland.
Since 2017, hospital neurology administration officer Teresia Lallemand has joined forces with the hospital and Epilepsy Queensland to support the not-for-profit in raising funds for epilepsy through an adorable plushie drive and purple morning tea to commemorate Epilepsy Queensland’s ‘Make March Purple’.
Over the years, they have sold over 6000 plushies and this year she’s aiming to sell 1800 to support local patients living with epilepsy. The $18 or $25 purple plushies are available from the neurology ward until late April.
“People often ask me if the reason why I’m so passionate is because I have epilepsy and I don’t, but I see people get diagnosed and I know how difficult and life changing it can be,” Ms Lallemand said.
“We sell these plushies every year, the funds go to Epilepsy Queensland to raise awareness and provide support for people affected with epilepsy and for people out there to learn more about epilepsy and get it out of the shadows.”
Local woman living with epilepsy and Epilepsy Queensland volunteer Alison Jackson said initiatives like the plushie drive were essential in raising awareness.
She was diagnosed when 11 and said Elipsey Queensland had been fantastic support.
“They helped me classify what kind of seizures I was having and support with managing everyday life and then I decided to give back and offer peer support through them.”
