Light Up the Night 2026

This May 12th is our 34th International Awareness Day; May 11-17 is Awareness Week for ME/CFS; and the month of May is a time for focussing on different aspects of raising awareness.

#LightUpTheNight started in 2014 and had 36 public buildings and landmarks lit up from Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Northern Ireland, Puerto Rica, USA and UK. Famous landmarks like Niagara Falls were included.

From three Australian locations lit up in 2015, the local event has continued to grow.

Why May 12th?

Since 1992 Florence Nightingale’s birthday has been recognised as a time to draw attention to ME/CFS, as she is believed to have suffered from a ME/CFS-like illness in her mid-thirties. Florence Nightingale was bedridden for the majority of her life due to the illness.

May12th International Awareness Day activities are intended to increase public awareness, assist patients and researchers by raising funds, and increase the knowledge about the illness with healthcare professionals, government officials, and friends and family.

We encourage you to raise awareness and express your solidarity to the cause by wearing ribbons, clothing, hair dye, etc. in blue.