PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release 30 August 2011
ENZ Warns of Confusion Over Seizures During RWC 2011
Epilepsy New Zealand, the country’s largest epilepsy service provider, has issued a warning to Rugby World Cup
organisers and people attending functions and games. The public need to know that when a person has a certain type of
seizure, they may appear disorientated, anxious and even intoxicated. ENZ expects that alcohol and drugs will play a
large part in celebrations during the RWC, and people need to be aware of how some seizures can look.
ENZ’s international counterparts reported after the last event in Europe that they were amazed by the number of people
with epilepsy who experienced seizures at a game or related function, and passersby simply thought that they were
intoxicated. This is something that ENZ hopes to avoid during the RWC in New Zealand.
To avoid such confusion, ENZ has initiated a campaign called the ‘Rugby World Cup Purple Ribbon Campaign’, aimed at
helping people with epilepsy attending RWC games and functions. People with epilepsy are asked to make contact with ENZ
and they will receive a purple ribbon to wear for the duration of the Rugby World Cup. The campaign is designed to help
medical personnel, security, police and other officials in assisting people with epilepsy.
Approximately 70,000 visitors are expected to be staying in New Zealand throughout the RWC. With one in every five
people living with epilepsy, ENZ is preparing for a dramatic increase in the number of people requesting epilepsy
information and support during this time.
The ENZ website has received many enquiries over recent months from overseas visitors planning on attending the RWC in
New Zealand. The ‘Rugby World Cup Purple Ribbon Campaign’ is available to these visitors from overseas as well as New
Zealand based people.
If anybody who has epilepsy would like a purple ribbon, please contact ENZ through our website, www.epilepsy.org.nz in
the ‘Contact Us’ section.
ENDS