Every year on October 9, communities worldwide pause to recognize #PANS or #PANDAS Awareness Day — a day dedicated to raising awareness about Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). On this date, #advocates, #families, #medical #professionals, and #allies unite to share #knowledge, #advocate for better #care, and #support those affected. In this article, we delve deeply into the #PANSPANDASAwarenessDay — its history, significance, impact, and how each of us can get involved.
History of PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day
The origins of PANS and PANDAS as medical concepts date back to the mid-1990s, when researchers at the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) began documenting sudden neuropsychiatric symptoms in children following streptococcal infections. Dr. Susan Swedo and Dr. Henrietta Leonard were instrumental in defining the first cases of PANDAS. In 1998, a landmark study described 50 children presenting with abrupt onset obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and tics following strep infections, coining the term PANDAS. Over time, clinicians and researchers noted that other infections (beyond strep) appeared to trigger similar neuropsychiatric reactions in some children — this led to the broader conceptual umbrella of PANS, encompassing PANDAS as a subtype.
The idea for an awareness day emerged in the late 2000s. The story begins with Stefanos Mitsogiorgakis, a 12-year-old who suffered sudden onset OCD, tics, cognitive decline, and hallucinations after a strep infection. His mother, Christine, sought recognition and formal acknowledgment for PANDAS, approaching New York Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis. That led to a proclamation in the state, supported by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo. From that seed, families and advocates over time established October 9 as a date to recognize PANS or PANDAS nationally and internationally.
By 2009, the PANDAS Network (a nonprofit organization) formally adopted PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day as October 9, and began promoting community actions, proclamations, education, and advocacy on that day each year.
Thus, the awareness day has evolved over roughly a decade and a half into a global observance, with more voices, more events, and more visibility.
Importance of PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day
The importance of PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day cannot be overstated:
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Early recognition and diagnosis: Many children with PANS or PANDAS suffer abrupt neuropsychiatric changes (e.g. sudden OCD, tics, food refusal) that are misunderstood or misdiagnosed as mental health issues. Raising awareness helps clinicians, educators, and families recognize red flags early and pursue correct evaluation.
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Reducing misdiagnosis and stigma: Because the symptoms can mimic psychiatric disorders, children may face stigma, delay in care, or improper treatment. This day draws attention to the fact that underlying immunological or infectious triggers may play a role.
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Supporting research, treatment access, and funding: Many children lack access to evidence-based therapies or are treated with inadequate protocols. The day galvanizes support for funding, policy change, and research into better diagnostics and therapies.
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Community building and support: Parents, caregivers, clinicians, and patients often feel isolated. Awareness day provides a platform to tell stories, connect, and find strength in community.
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Advocacy and systems change: Over time, formal proclamations, legislation, and medical guidelines can emerge, improving insurance coverage, standard of care, and health system responsiveness.
In short, this day helps shift PANS or PANDAS from a niche, little-known condition to one with public visibility, policy traction, and hope for better outcomes.
Significance & Why PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day Is Celebrated
The significance of PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day lies in both its symbolic and practical roles:
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Symbolic: It represents a collective acknowledgment that neuropsychiatric symptoms in children may have biological, immune-mediated roots — not merely “psychological” origins. It invites compassion and shifts discourse.
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Practical: It gives structure to annual campaigns, media engagement, legislative efforts, and focused advocacy. It is a rallying date around which the community can coordinate efforts.
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Bridging cultures and continents: Though its origins are U.S.-based, the recognition of PANS/PANDAS spans many countries; the awareness day helps harmonize messaging globally.
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Encouraging medical education: On this day, hospitals, universities, and professional associations may host seminars or CME (continuing medical education) sessions to inform clinicians about diagnostic protocols, emerging research, and management strategies.
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Amplifying patient voice: The day gives survivors and families a platform to share testimonies — transforming what can be a lonely struggle into shared story and impetus for change.
Thus, it is celebrated not just to “mark a day,” but to mobilize tangible action: better diagnosis, improved care, policy shifts, and deeper public understanding.
How PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day Is Celebrated
PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day is celebrated through a variety of coordinated, creative activities, many organized by nonprofits, patient groups, healthcare institutions, schools, and individual advocates. Some common ways include:
Landmark lighting
Many cities and organizations light up buildings, bridges, monuments, or public spaces in green (or sometimes red) to show solidarity and visibility for the cause. This is often part of a “LightUp4PANS” campaign.
Social media campaigns
Advocates use the day to flood social media with facts, stories, graphics, and calls to action. Hashtags like #PANSPANDASAwarenessDay, #LightUp4PANS, #Green4PANS and #PANSPANDASawareness are standard.
Educational events, webinars, panels
Organizations often host webinars, panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and educational programs for families, clinicians, teachers, and the public — discussing diagnosis, treatment options, research updates, coping strategies, and advocacy.
Proclamations & legislative engagement
Advocates may request that city, state, or provincial governments officially proclaim October 9 as PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day. Doing so raises legitimacy and visibility in civic spaces.
Fundraising and awareness drives
Donations, walks, virtual fundraising campaigns, merchandise sales, or awareness fundraisers support research and community programs. Many groups use October 9 as a focal fundraising push.
School and community outreach
In schools, teachers might introduce age-appropriate information about PANS/PANDAS, host awareness booths or poster displays, or encourage students/families to wear green in solidarity. Clinics may offer informational handouts or host open-house events.
Storytelling & personal testimonies
Families and individuals share their journeys — challenges, successes, lessons — via blogs, videos, podcasts, community gatherings or online live streams. These stories humanize the condition and galvanize empathy.
Lighting personal spaces
Even individuals can join by lighting homes in green, decorating windows, placing green ribbons, or wearing green clothing and accessories to show solidarity.
Because the observance is global in nature (though more active in some countries), the collective impact comes from many small acts over wide geography.
Countries / Regions That Observe PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day
While PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day has its roots in the United States, its observance has expanded internationally:
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United States: Many states, counties, cities formally issue proclamations, light landmarks, host events, and support the awareness movement.
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Canada: Canada recognizes World PANS PANDAS Awareness Day – October 9 as part of its health promotion calendar.
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Other countries: Through international advocacy groups (such as ASPIRE, Inflamed Brain Alliance, PANDAS Network), events, awareness campaigns, and lighting projects take place globally — though with varying scale and visibility.
The degree of local recognition and institutional support varies. In some nations, advocacy is nascent and public awareness limited; in others, the day is actively promoted by health nonprofits and patient organizations.
Thus, while not every country has formal government proclamations, individuals and organizations worldwide can and do observe the day in their communities.
Citizen Engagement & Making the Day a Success
The success of PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day relies heavily on grassroots and community participation. Here’s how citizens can get involved:
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Educate themselves
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Learn about PANS/PANDAS, symptoms, diagnostic protocols, treatments, and research.
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Use toolkits, handouts, brochures provided by organizations (e.g. ASPIRE’s resources).
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Share stories and personal experiences
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Posting on social media, writing blog posts, giving interviews, or recording videos helps others understand lived realities.
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Use the hashtags and tagging advocate groups to amplify.
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Advocate locally
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Request a proclamation from your city, state, provincial government, or school board.
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Write letters or emails to elected officials, school administrators, health departments, urging recognition and improved care standards.
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Engage local media (newspapers, radio, TV) to cover stories on PANS/PANDAS.
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Join or organize events
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Coordinate local gatherings, walks, educational forums, screening of documentaries, or panel sessions.
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Organize a “green day” in school or community — encourage everyone to wear green, display ribbons, or decorate public spaces.
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Social media campaigns
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Share awareness graphics, infographics, facts, videos, and personal reflections on October 9.
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Encourage likes, shares, comments to boost reach.
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Use profile frames and banners provided by advocacy groups.
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Fundraise or donate
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Contribute to nonprofits supporting PANS/PANDAS research, education, and family support.
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Host a small fundraiser (e.g. bake sale, walkathon, virtual campaign) on or around October 9.
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Engage schools and medical providers
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Ask local schools to host awareness sessions or include content in mental health or biology classes.
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Encourage pediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists, and general practitioners to host CME talks or distribute educational materials.
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Light up and decorate
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Use green lights, ribbons, window displays, or illuminating public or personal spaces in green to spark curiosity and conversation.
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Volunteer
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Join nonprofits or advocacy groups working for PANS/PANDAS, assist in organizing events, outreach, content creation, translation, or community connection.
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Sustain engagement year-round
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While October 9 is the focal point, ongoing advocacy, sharing new research, supporting affected families, and lobbying for care change matters year-round.
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By combining awareness, education, advocacy, and personal engagement, citizens help turn a symbolic day into a moment of meaningful impact.
Theme for PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day 2025
For 2025, one of the highlighted coordinated campaigns is #LightUp4PANS, which invites landmarks and communities globally to light buildings in green to show solidarity and visibility for PANS or PANDAS. In previous years, red or green lighting was used; in 2025, green is especially emphasized, connecting to mental health awareness and signaling a bridge between neurology, immunology, and psychiatry.
Advocacy organizations also push a theme of “Be Aware, Act Early, Change Lives” — focusing on early diagnosis, evidence-based intervention, and policy support. Many events in 2025 encourage the public to adopt green attire, lighting, social media presence, educational campaigns, and legislative outreach under the umbrella of #PANSPANDASAwarenessDay and #Green4PANS.
Thus, 2025’s theme is one of illumination, connection, and action — shedding light on a hidden disease and galvanizing public, medical, and policy change.
10 Famous / Inspirational Quotes for the Day
Below are ten quotes — some specifically adapted for this cause, others drawn from broader sources of inspiration — to motivate, comfort, and energize the PANS or PANDAS community and their allies:
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“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller
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“Awareness is the first step in change; voices raised bring light to the shadows.”
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“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
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“Speak your truth, even if your voice shakes.”
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“It always seems impossible until it is done.” — Nelson Mandela
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“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” — Mary Anne Radmacher
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“Healing takes time, and asking for help is a courageous step.”
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“We rise by lifting others.” — Robert Ingersoll
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“The power of the human spirit is in the stories we share and the hope we kindle.”
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“Light a candle, share a story, and watch the darkness recede.”
These quotes may be used in social media posts, event banners, newsletters, posters, and community gatherings to inspire hope, solidarity, and perseverance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What are PANDAS and PANS?
A: PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections) is a descriptive syndrome in which children develop sudden onset OCD, tics, anxiety, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms after a Group A strep infection. PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) is a broader umbrella term. All PANDAS are PANS, but PANS includes other triggers beyond strep (e.g. viral infections, Lyme disease, mycoplasma).
Q2: How common are PANS or PANDAS?
A: Estimates vary, but in the United States it is often cited that about 1 in 200 children may be affected. Because the condition is underdiagnosed, actual prevalence may be higher.
Q3: What are the symptoms?
A: Symptoms may include sudden onset OCD, tics, anxiety, mood swings, cognitive decline, refusal to eat, regression in skills, motor or sensory sensitivities, sleep disturbances, hyperactivity, urinary frequency, and other neuropsychiatric changes.
Q4: How long do symptoms last?
A: If the underlying cause is detected and treated promptly, symptoms may subside in 4–6 weeks. However, relapses can occur if triggers recur or treatment is insufficient.
Q5: Is there a cure?
A: Currently, there is no definitive “cure.” But treatments (antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, immunomodulatory therapies like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), plasmapheresis, and symptom-targeted therapies) can help many children achieve remission or stabilization.
Q6: Can adults have PANS or PANDAS?
A: Although these syndromes are classically pediatric, some adults with sudden-onset neuropsychiatric changes possibly related to immune triggers are being studied. It is less commonly documented.
Q7: Are PANS or PANDAS recognized by medical authorities?
A: Recognition is growing, but debate continues in some professional circles. Some guidelines are emerging, and organizations are pushing for broader acceptance.
Q8: Why is awareness necessary?
A: Without awareness, children may suffer misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, inadequate care, or unnecessary psychiatric labeling. Awareness fosters early intervention, better outcomes, and support.
Q9: How can someone get involved on PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day?
A: Many ways — share on social media, host or attend events, request proclamations, light landmarks green, volunteer with organizations, donate or fundraise, educate local communities, wear green, tell your story, and advocate year-round.
Q10: What makes PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day 2025 special?
A: In 2025, the coordinated #LightUp4PANS campaign is particularly emphasized — building participation in lighting landmarks green globally. The push is on for increased public visibility, greater institutional involvement, and broader recognition of this cause.
Conclusion
PANS or PANDAS Awareness Day on October 9 is more than a date on the calendar. It is a beacon of hope, a moment of collective voice, and a platform for action. This day honors families who have walked a bewildering and painful journey, it educates professionals and the public, and it presses for systemic change — better diagnosis, effective treatments, research funding, and compassionate care.
As we observe #PANSPANDASAwarenessDay, let us light our landmarks, wear our green, share our truths, and amplify voices that have long been quiet. May we transform awareness into empathy, and empathy into action — so that no child with sudden neuropsychiatric challenge is left unheard, misdiagnosed, or without hope. The journey ahead demands persistence, community, and courage — but together, we can shine a light strong enough to guide many through the darkness.
Let October 9, 2025, be a day remembered not only for awareness, but for meaningful steps taken toward healing, justice, and brighter futures.
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My name is Subhajit Bhattacharya , I am a Instrumentatin Engineer and working as a content writer for this site, All the information of this site is only for educational purpose.
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