PURPLE WARRIORS: Members of the Purple Warrior Foundation, founded by former Miss Cherokee Taylor Wilnoty (third from left), are working to spread awareness and education about Epilepsy. Foundation members are shown (left-right) – Cory Blankenship, Jade Peone, Taylor Wilnoty, Jimmy Burns, Shelby Parker, and Sheyahshe Littledave. (Photo courtesy of Purple Warrior Foundation)
The Purple Warrior Foundation, founded in 2013 by former Miss Cherokee Taylor Wilnoty, started as an avenue to help educate EBCI tribal members about Epilepsy. She made it her platform to bring awareness and education to the Tribe and fight the stigma against those who may suffer from this disease.
“I spent most of my life taking care of my older brother who had Epilepsy,” she said. “When he passed away in 2009 due to a brain aneurysm, my whole world was shattered. I turned a lot of my sadness and grief into passion so I created the Purple Warrior Foundation and have found an amazing group of people to share this passion with.”
The Foundation is comprised of eight EBCI tribal members including: Chavella Taylor, Cory Blankenship, Jade Peone, Jimmy Burns, Shelby Parker, Sheyahshe Littledave, Dawson Wilnoty, and Taylor Wilnoty.
The Purple Warrior Foundation is working to become a non-profit foundation with the goal to provide education to the local community and funds for families that may need extra help related to treating Epilepsy.
“I’m hoping through our Foundation we educate people about this disease and how it affects the lives of those who live with it,” Taylor Wilnoty stated. “We want to help families living on the Qualla Boundary that may have someone living with epilepsy and one day be able to offer funds for medical expenses or gas for routine doctors’ visits.”
Info: Purple Warrior Foundation on Facebook or email: purplewarriorfoundation@gmail.com
– Purple Warrior Foundation
