Millennium Carillon to light up in green for PANS PANDAS Awareness Day
On Thursday, Oct. 9, the Millennium Carillon in Naperville will light up green in honor of World PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day, joining a global movement to raise awareness of these serious neuroimmune conditions.
ASPIRE (Alliance to Solve PANS & Immune-Related Encephalopathies), along with 14 other leading advocacy organizations worldwide, are launching a global LightUp4PANS campaign for World PANS PANDAS Awareness Day.
The LightUp4PANS campaign, will illuminate more than 219 landmarks across the globe in green. This initiative aims to shine a spotlight on PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections), debilitating neuroimmune disorders currently affecting thousands of children and adults worldwide.
“We are thrilled to be part of this worldwide effort, uniting individuals, families, and organizations from across the globe to raise awareness of PANS and PANDAS,” said Gabriella True, president. “Our goal is to support those affected and to bring these conditions into the spotlight, advocating for early diagnosis, effective treatment, and long-term care for those impacted.”
Dr. Susan Swedo, neuroscientist and lead researcher for 25 years, emphasized: “It's really important to treat these conditions right away. The faster you treat, the faster they can get well. You have to treat the cause, the underlying immune abnormality, and then the symptoms.”
ASPIRE encourages the Naperville community to look for this landmark lit up on Oct. 9 and to join families around the world in spreading awareness. To learn more, visit www.aspire.care.
ASPIRE's Landmark Lighting Contributions
As part of this global effort, ASPIRE is proud to announce its successful partnership to light the following iconic landmarks:
• Pecor Stadium (After 8PM) — Cincinnati, Ohio
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — Cleveland, Ohio
• M&T Bank Stadium — Baltimore, Maryland
• AES Indiana — Indianapolis, Indiana
• MLK Bridge — Fort Wayne, Indiana
• Culver Pediatrics — Culver, Indiana
• I-35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge — Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Mayo Clinic Health System sites across Wisconsin and Minnesota
• Mayo Clinic Health Systems Site — Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona
• Mayo Clinic Health Systems Site — Jacksonville, Florida
• Highway 30 Light Tower — Ames, Iowa
• Durham Bandshell — Ames, Iowa
• Wake Forest Town Hall — Wake Forest, North Carolina
• Skydance Bridge (October 11th) — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Millennium Carillon — Naperville, Illinois
• Median LED Lighting on France Avenue — Edina, Minnesota
• Diamond Park — Butler, Pennsylvania
• City Hall — Wichita, Kansas (October 11th)
• Kellogg Bridge — East Kellogg, Kansas (October 11th)
• Webb Road Bridge — East Kellogg, Kansas (October 11th)
• National Grid Building — Syracuse, New York
• Median Lighting — Prior Lake, Minnesota
• Governor’s Mansion — Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Old City Hall — Tampa, Florida
• River Tower Park — Tampa, Florida
• Tampa Bridges — Tampa, Florida
• Tampa Riverwalk — Tampa, Florida
About PANS and PANDAS
PANS and PANDAS are serious neuroinflammatory conditions triggered by infections such as strep, leading to the sudden onset or sudden worsening of obsessive-compulsive behaviors, severe anxiety, tics, and other psychiatric symptoms. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, these conditions can be debilitating and life-threatening, affecting not only the child but also their family and community.
Increasing public and health care awareness of these disorders is crucial, as early recognition and treatment can significantly improve outcomes. However, PANS and PANDAS remain underrecognized by both the medical community and the public, which leads to delayed diagnoses and prolonged suffering for patients and their families.
PANS PANDAS affects more than just the person with the disease — it also impacts their family, friends, and colleagues. Still, it is widely underrecognized as a global health problem by the public, health professionals, and governments, driving the need for greater awareness. Early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment can improve outcomes so the condition does not become chronic. Increasing awareness of lupus will save lives.
A Global Movement for Change
World PANS PANDAS Awareness Day has grown into a critical event for families, health care providers, and advocacy organizations to come together in solidarity. Beyond the landmark lighting, this year's campaign calls for increased public understanding of these conditions, expanded research into treatments, and more comprehensive health care services for affected families.
“Together, we are stronger and more capable of making a difference,” Gabriella True added. “By lighting up these landmarks, we are sending a message of hope, compassion, and commitment to making a lasting impact for those affected by PANS and PANDAS.”