FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GLOBAL LANDMARK LIGHTING CAMPAIGN TO ILLUMINATE WORLD PANS/PANDAS AWARENESS DAY ON FRIDAY, OCT. 9
300+ Landmarks Will Shine Green to Spotlight and Raise Awareness for Immune-Related Encephalopathies and Neuroimmune Conditions
COTTELVILLE, Mo. – Oct. 6, 2026 – On Friday, Oct. 9, communities across the globe will mark World PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day as the Alliance to Solve PANS & Immune-Related Encephalopathies (ASPIRE) launches its third consecutive global #LightUp4PANS campaign alongside 17 international advocacy organizations. The initiative shines a vital spotlight on PANS and PANDAS, serious neuroimmune conditions affecting thousands of families globally.
The campaign is illuminating 300+ landmarks worldwide, including Grand Central Terminal (Manhattan), National Grid Building (Syracuse), Niagara Falls, and Philadelphia Eagles’ Lincoln Financial Field in the Northeast; Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati), The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and The Terminal Tower (Cleveland), U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis), Nebraska State Capitol (Lincoln), Kansas City Convention Center and Skydance Bridge (Oklahoma City) in the Midwest; Government House of Maryland (Annapolis), M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore), Winchester Hall (Frederick, Md.) and Legislative Hall (Dover) in the Mid-Atlantic; Superdome (New Orleans); Tampa’s Riverwalk and City Center, and the Union Plaza Building (Little Rock) in the South; and Gilbert Water Tower (Arizona) in the Southwest. A full list of U.S. landmarks is below.
“Lighting landmarks green is about more than awareness. It is about making PANS and PANDAS visible so that families are heard, healthcare providers recognize the signs, and patients have a better chance of getting the care they need,” said Gabriella True, president of ASPIRE. “Too many families still spend months or years searching for answers and appropriate treatment. We want every green light on October 9 to help change that.”
World PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day has become an important event for families, healthcare providers, and advocacy organizations to unite in solidarity. Beyond landmark lighting, this year’s campaign calls for greater public understanding, expanded research into treatments, and more comprehensive healthcare services for affected families.
“It’s really important to treat these conditions right away,” emphasized Dr. Susan Swedo, a neuroscientist and lead researcher for 25 years. “The faster you treat, the faster they can get well. You have to treat the cause, the underlying immune abnormality, and then the symptoms.”
The cost of inaction can be significant. When PANS and PANDAS are not recognized and treated properly, patients may cycle through repeated medical visits, specialists, emergency, and inpatient care. Families face school disruption, lost work, and mounting financial strain. Gaps in provider education can delay recognition and treatment. Insurance barriers can put appropriate care out of reach. Earlier recognition, knowledgeable providers, and access to necessary treatment can reduce avoidable suffering, disability, and long-term costs to families and communities.
ASPIRE’S LANDMARK LIGHTING CONTRIBUTIONS
As part of this global effort, ASPIRE is proud to announce its successful partnership to light iconic landmarks across the globe. All locations will #LightUp4PANS on Oct. 9 unless otherwise noted:
- Arizona: Gilbert Water Tower (Gilbert – Oct. 7)
- Arkansas: Union Plaza Building (Little Rock), Big Dam Bridge (N. Little Rock)
- Delaware: Legislative Hall (Dover)
- Florida: City of Tampa City Center, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Old City Hall, River Tower Park, Tampa Bridges, and Tampa Riverwalk (Tampa)
- Indiana: Culver Pediatrics (Culver); MLK Jr. Bridge (Fort Wayne); River Lights Plaza (South Bend); AES Indiana (Indianapolis)
- Iowa: City of Iowa City Public Works Building (Iowa City); Durham Bandshell, Lighted Tower Sculpture / Highway 30 (Ames); Waterloo River Lights Experience, Waterloo River Loop Amphitheatre (Waterloo); St. Luke’s Hospital (Cedar Rapids)
- Kansas: Amidon Bridge (Wichita – Oct. 9 &10); Douglas Trellis/Tower Lights (Wichita – Oct. 9 & 10); East Kellogg Avenue Bridges (Wichita – Oct. 9 & 10); Harry Bridge (Wichita – Oct. 9 & 10); McLean and Meridian Tower Lighting (Wichita – Oct. 9 &10); Wichita City Hall (Wichita – Oct. 9 & 10)
- Louisiana: Governor’s Mansion (Baton Rouge), Superdome (New Orleans – Oct. 8)
- Maryland: Government House (Annapolis); M&T Stadium (Baltimore – Oct. 8); Salisbury City Park Bandstand (Salisbury); Winchester Hall (Frederick)
- Minnesota: Frances Avenue Median Lighting (Edina); I-35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge, Lowry Bridge (Minneapolis); U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)
- Missouri: Kansas City Convention Center (Kansas City), Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse (Hannibal)
- Nebraska: Nebraska State Capitol (Lincoln); Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (Omaha)
- New York: New York: Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (Tarrytown & South Nyack); Kosciuszko Bridge (Brooklyn & Queens, New York City); The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building (Albany); State Education Building (Albany); Alfred E. Smith State Office Building (Albany); Empire State Plaza (Albany); State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center (Geddes, Syracuse); Niagara Falls (Niagara Falls); The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge (Poughkeepsie & Highland); Grand Central Terminal – Pershing Square Viaduct (Manhattan, New York City); Albany International Airport Gateway (Colonie, Albany); MTA LIRR – East End Gateway at Penn Station (Manhattan, New York City); Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal (Fairport, Rochester); Moynihan Train Hall (Manhattan, New York City); Roosevelt Island Lighthouse (Roosevelt Island, Manhattan, New York City); National Grid Building (Syracuse)
- North Carolina: North Carolina State Capitol (Raleigh); Wake Forest Town Hall (Wake Forest); Winston-Salem City Hall/Green Street Pedestrian Bridge (Winston-Salem)
- Ohio: Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati- Oct. 7); The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland), The Terminal Tower (Cleveland)
- Oklahoma: Skydance Bridge (Oklahoma City)
- Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Eagles’ Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia), City-County Building (Pittsburgh)
- Rhode Island: Sakonnet River Bridge (Portsmouth)
- Vermont: Moran Frame (Burlington)
ASPIRE encourages each city’s community to look for these landmarks lit up on Oct. 9 and to join families around the world in spreading awareness. To learn more and follow campaign updates, visit www.aspire.care or connect on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
ABOUT PANS AND PANDAS
PANS and PANDAS are serious neuroinflammatory conditions that can cause the sudden or newly worsening onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, severe anxiety, tics, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms. Without timely diagnosis and treatment, they can become debilitating and have a profound impact on children, adults, their families, and communities.
Despite their significant impact, PANS and PANDAS remain under-recognized by both the public and medical community, often leading to delayed diagnosis and prolonged suffering. Greater awareness and earlier recognition, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment can improve outcomes and help prevent symptoms from persisting or becoming chronic.
ABOUT ASPIRE
The Alliance to Solve PANS & Immune-Related Encephalopathies (ASPIRE) is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults affected by PANS, PANDAS, and related immune-related encephalopathies. Through education, advocacy, support, and research initiatives, ASPIRE works to increase awareness, improve early recognition, and expand access to comprehensive care.
Editor’s Note: Interviews with an ASPIRE representative, affected families, or additional information about the #LightUp4PANS campaign are available upon request.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Gabriella True: gabriella@aspire.care or 562-480-7560 (m)
Brandii Toby-Leon: info@aspire.care or 865-936-2418 (m)
Gabriella True
