PANS PANDAS Awareness Day 2026
Thursday 9th October marks PANS PANDAS Awareness Day, a global event supporting everyone affected by PANS or PANDAS.
We are excited to tell you all of the fantastic things that have been happening behind the scenes, in preparation for this year’s PANS PANDAS Awareness Day. And, there are so many ways in which you can get involved too.
What we are doing
- We are hosting our biggest conference yet, dedicated to raising awareness and improving knowledge about PANS and PANDAS. The three-day event runs from 8th-10th October and includes our Research Symposium which has already sold out following enormous interest from across the globe; highlighting the growing professional interest in PANS and PANDAS.
- We are taking part in RARE Revolution Magazine’s social media take over. For 24 hours, their social media will focus on PANS, PANDAS and PANS PANDAS UK; bringing our messages to a huge audience of more than four million people, all with with an interest in rare and rarely-recognised conditions.
- Youth Advisory Board member, Hayley Gilfillan, will be presenting a PANS and PANDAS research poster at the prestigious Royal College of General Practitioners’ annual conference.
- We have launched Wear Green for Glitch, a new awareness initiative for PANS PANDAS Awareness Day. Workplaces, schools, colleges and early years settings will be invited to wear something green, share awareness resources and help promote understanding and inclusion for children and young people affected by PANS and PANDAS. If you’d like to join in, register here.
These events are the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and improve education about PANS, PANDAS, and how these conditions are affecting people across the UK.
“International PANS PANDAS Awareness Day is a moment to reflect on how far we have come in the UK, while recognising how much more we can achieve together. This year is particularly meaningful as the Clinicians’ Day of our three-day Perspectives on PANS conference takes place on 9 October itself, bringing healthcare professionals together on Awareness Day to share knowledge, build connections and drive progress.
The response to all three days, and particularly the research symposium has been extraordinary, with interest far exceeding our expectations. That level of engagement gives me real hope that awareness, understanding and research into PANS and PANDAS are gaining the momentum that patients and families have long needed.
I hope this landmark event, taking place on such an important date, will have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected across the UK. Most importantly, it sends a powerful message that this community is finally being heard, and that by working together we can continue to build understanding, improve care, and create meaningful change for everyone affected by PANS and PANDAS.”
– Vicky Burford, Our CEO.
How you can help
There are many ways you can mark Awareness Day and support us in informing more people about PANS and PANDAS.
Light up for PANS!
More and more world landmarks are confirmed as taking part in this year’s #LightUp4PANS – and loads of them are in the UK and Ireland, thanks to our community!
Use our template letters to reach out to your local council today and ask if they can light up a landmark in green on Thurs 9th Oct. Let us know so we can share the news, and don’t forget the selfie!
“Green shines a light on the need for compassionate, multidisciplinary care that recognises the brain–body immune connection in PANS and PANDAS and the urgent call for awareness, inclusion, and support for families on this complex journey.”
So far, these landmarks have agreed to be lit up in green, thanks to your amazing awareness-raising efforts:
Normanton Church, Rutland Water.
Wigan Council town hall
The ‘Face of Wigan’ statue, Believe square
The London Eye, Westminster
The Royal Liver Building, Liverpool
The Mansion House, Dublin
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Civic buildings, N.I.
Change your profile picture
Continuing the green theme, could you swap your profile picture on your social media account to our awareness day image? We have made one for businesses and teams too!
Simply right-click one of these images and select ‘save image as’. Then, replace your profile picture with this image on your social media accounts.
Plus, our friends at Inflamed Brain Alliance have created this special Awareness Day 2026 profile frame
Host a charity event
Fundraising doesn’t have to involve road closures, camera crews, or epic feats of endurance… there are small things you can do at home that would make a huge difference to families affected by PANS or PANDAS. Could you use our new coin boxes* to raise funds on this Awareness Day?
Perhaps consider holding a cake sale, a coffee morning, or a sponsored silence… or simply ask your local shop to display a PANS PANDAS UK collection box on their till. We can provide fundraising tips, ideas, and free resources — including posters and stickers!
*fabulously modelled here by Lynn
Shout about us on your social media
Word of mouth is the most effective way to increase awareness. Mark this year’s awareness day by sharing our social media messages with your friends, family, colleagues, and the medical or educational professionals who support you. Don’t forget to tell them about our fantastic training available for medical professionals, teachers and educational psychologists.
