Last year, Niagara Falls was the one and only landmark lit up teal for Fragile X Awareness Day. This year, it was 1 of more than 20! How many can we get next year?
On July 22, to mark Fragile X Awareness Day, buildings, bridges, monuments, and neighborhoods across the land were illuminated in FRAXA’s signature teal.
Lighting Up Teal for Fragile X was the result of work of a team of passionate FRAXA volunteers. It was launched last year when FRAXA’s webmaster Eric Welin suggested asking the Niagara Falls Illumination Board to light up the Falls. Dave Bjork put in the request and on July 22, 2018, Niagara Falls was stunning in teal!
Volunteer Annie Li then jumped in with both feet, sending requests to hundreds of sites. The challenges she initially encountered within her own state of California did nothing to deter her efforts.
“California has a strict building lighting policy and all of my requests were turned down. So I just moved on to other states,” Li recalled. Within a few short weeks, Li struck gold, securing the first location, Wells Fargo’s Lighting Program at Duke Energy Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Annie’s success spiraled across the country, and within months, she had locked in locations from Texas to Maryland to Washington State.
“It’s a remarkable thing to see a volunteer dive right in and have such a lasting impact,” said FRAXA co-founder Katie Clapp.
As sites signed up, enthusiasm grew and so did our team of volunteers. We would like to extend thanks to everyone who participated in this effort to make the world aware of Fragile X.
Some special prizes are in order!
The People Prize - Kelly Randels Coleman, who rounded up a 50-strong crew to view Omaha’s Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.
Force Multiplier Prize - Jamie Renzulli, who secured the most illuminations in a single city. Philadelphia had five!
The Spark Prize - Eric Welin, who had the idea that started it all!
Selfie Prize - George Hinkal, larger than Houston City Hall, maintained the all-important families-first perspective.
100 Teal for 2020?
How many locations can we get next year? Our goal is 100, with a group gathered at every one. Fragile X awareness is about letting other people know. We families are already so very aware, every day!
Please join us in reaching 100 Teal.