FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dave Bjork
(978) 273-5050
dbjork@fraxa.org
www.fraxa.org
Newburyport, MA (July 15, 2019) — Today, FRAXA Research Foundation announces that 20 buildings, bridges and landmarks across the United States and Canada will be illuminated teal on Monday, July 22, to celebrate International Fragile X Awareness Day. The goal of the initiative is to raise awareness of Fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited cause of autism and learning disabilities worldwide. The illuminations will shine a spotlight on the urgent need to fund research to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure for the hundreds of thousands around the world who currently live with Fragile X.
The initiative’s first lighting partner, the Niagara Falls Illumination Board, inspired a movement in which volunteers invited others to also shine a light on Fragile X. This year Niagara Falls will again light up in FRAXA’s signature color, teal, along with landmarks in 12 US states.
As of today, the following cities have buildings, bridges or landmarks that are lighting up for Fragile X awareness:
Tucson, AZ – Historic 4th Avenue Underpass
Los Angeles, CA – US Bank Tower
Niagara Falls Ontario, Canada – Niagara Falls
Boston, MA – Zakim Bridge
Medford, MA – City Hall
Charlotte, NC – NASCAR Hall of Fame
Charlotte, NC – Wells Fargo Duke Energy Center
Camden, NJ – Ben Franklin Bridge
Poughkeepsie, NY – Mid-Hudson Bridge
Buffalo, NY – The Peace Bridge
Omaha, NE – WoodmenLife Tower
Omaha, NE – Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
Cleveland, OH – Terminal Tower
Oklahoma City, OK – Skydance Bridge
Philadelphia, PA – FMC Tower
Philadelphia, PA – Cira Centre
Philadelphia, PA – One and Two Liberty Place
Nashville, TN – Gateway Bridge
Houston, TX – City Hall
Seattle, WA – Evergreen Point Floating Bridge
“We are so grateful for the boards, businesses, and property managers who are providing their platforms to increase public awareness of Fragile X,” said Katie Clapp, president and co-founder of FRAXA. “While there is progress in Fragile X research, there are still limited treatment options and no cure. Illuminating iconic landmarks in FRAXA’s signature color, teal, across the US and Canada brilliantly symbolizes our emphasis on our researchers.”
Fragile X families and friends will be gathering at many of the locations to connect, take photos and share experiences. For a list of local events please visit www.fraxa.org/light-up-fx. For more information or if you’d like to get involved in your community, contact Dave Bjork at FRAXA Research Foundation, at dbjork@fraxa.org.
About FRAXA Research Foundation
FRAXA is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1994, in Newburyport, MA whose mission is to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure for Fragile X syndrome. Fragile X is the most common inherited cause of autism and intellectual disabilities; it affects 1 in 4000 boys and 1 in 6000 girls of all races worldwide. FRAXA has funded more than $27 million in biomedical research, yielding discoveries that are changing the lives of Fragile X affected families.
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