World PANS PANDAS Awareness Day
Friday, October 9, 2026
Champions raising awareness & support.
#LightUp4PANS | 2026 Global Landmark Lighting Campaign
A World of Green for PANS/PANDAS
21 global partners united to bring green lightings to 330 landmarks for the 2026 #LightUp4PANS Global Landmark Lighting Campaign.
On October 9—World PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day, landmarks around the world shone green, with others lighting on nearby dates. A few lightings are still to come. Together, these lights raise visibility, build understanding and remind people affected by PANS/PANDAS that they are not alone.
Green connects our campaign with mental health awareness and the experiences of many families whose search for answers begins in the mental health system. It also highlights the need to recognize the medical conditions behind these symptoms and improve access to informed, compassionate care.
Help capture this global effort! Use the Share Your Photos & Videos button below to submit landmark photos, community photos and videos, or a personal message about what taking part meant to you.
Submit by October 18 for consideration in the campaign collage and video. Later landmark photos are welcome for our Google map.
Explore the map below, and check the lighting dates if you’re planning to visit one of the remaining lightings.
Interactive Map of 2026 #LightUp4PANS Landmarks
Share Your #LightUp4PANS Photos & Videos
Share landmark and community photos and videos for our campaign collage and video. Selected landmark photos without people will also be added to our Google map.
Submit by October 18 for consideration in the collage and video. Landmark photos submitted after October 18 are still welcome for the map.
Google account required to upload files.
Seeing the green lights lit up for #LightUp4PANS made us feel less alone. As we stood there, as a family, around our own child we thought of all the other families all over the world doing the same and it felt deeply unifying.
— Canadian PANS/PANDAS parent —
Get Involved with Awareness Day…
Since 2009, PANS PANDAS families & advocates around the world have been increasing public awareness and building community support every year on October 9 World PANS PANDAS Awareness Day.
Here’s a few easy ways you can be an advocate!
LEADING UP TO AWARENESS DAY:
Spread Awareness for #LightUp4PANS on October 9!
Help raise awareness for the #LightUp4PANS global campaign in honor of World PANS PANDAS Awareness Day by adding a frame to your Facebook profile picture! You can find the link HERE and step-by-step instructions below.
Create Your Own Awareness Day Frame Using Canva:
- Click the Canva link HERE to open the template.
- Once it opens in view-only mode, click the “File” menu in the top-left corner.
- Select “Make a copy.”
- Canva will create a duplicate in your own account, which you can now edit freely.
- In the left-hand menu, click “Uploads.”
- Click “Upload files” to add your image from your phone or computer.
- Drag your image into the circle within the frame to customize.
- When you’re happy with your design, click “Share,” then select “Download.” (On mobile, tap the download icon in the top right corner.)
- Choose the page you want to save, then click “Download.”
- Post your framed image to social media to show your support and raise awareness!
ON AWARENESS DAY:
Make a Donation
Your photos help bring PANS/PANDAS into view. Your donations are key to keeping that awareness growing beyond one day, supporting IBA’s ongoing education, advocacy and support for families. Every photo shared and every gift given helps—you get the picture.
Support IBA’s 4th Annual Steppin’ Out for PANS PANDAS fundraising walk, happening September 19, 2026! This nationwide event is a meaningful step forward in building connection, awareness, and support for the PANS PANDAS community. As a young, volunteer-driven charity powered by donors, your gift helps us grow our impact. Together, we can bring more visibility, resources, and hope to families across Canada. Donations accepted HERE until October 31.