Celebrating the 6th Annual International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day!
On September 15th, 2026, the Global Alliance for Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness united over 60 organizations from around the globe to mark the sixth annual International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day. Together our partners and community members shined a light on DM through advocacy, celebration and creativity.
Highlights from Around the World
Myotonic dystrophy awareness efforts continue to expand across the globe! In celebration the day, our incredible community members and partners around the world dressed in green and lit up their local and national landmarks. The Light Up Green initiative raises visibility for myotonic dystrophy in communities everywhere, sparks conversations across social media, plus they make for some great photos!
Some exciting highlights from this year include:
- The state of Massachusetts announced a proclamation recognizing International DM Awareness Day on September 15th. This effort was led by MDF Support Group Facilitator, Jim Dolan, who also secured a local proclamation for his town of Somerville, MA, and arranged to have Boston City Council and TD Garden lit up green! Community member Jane Mairs also obtained a proclamation in Amherst, MA! Check out the press release!
- Thanks to the Zabezhinsky family, the Target Field in Minneapolis made an announcement about Awareness Day, lit their ballpark green, and mentioned DM on live TV. Click here to watch the announcement!
- Landmarks glowed green across the globe – from Vancouver, Canada, to Paris, France, to Perth, Australia, and beyond.
- The University at Albany’s RNA Institute was featured in local news throughout Albany, Buffalo, and Rochester! This segment featured 2026 MDF Fellow, Amy Mascorro, wearing an International DM Awareness Day shirt!
- Community members brought awareness to their towns and local communities with coordinated green shirts!
- St George’s Hospital Neuromuscular Team proudly supporting Myotonic Dystrophy International Awareness Patient and Family Day hosted by Michael Walker and the Myotonic Dystrophy Support Group.
- Pharmaceutical research teams including Dyne Therapeutics and PepGen team joined the celebration by wearing green in solidarity. Vertex Pharmaceuticals lit their entire building green!
- ARTHEx Bioteh highlighted a recent panel featuring DM community member and MDF Support Group Facilitators, Beth Feigenblatt.
- In New Zealand the University of Auckland held a dedicated educational symposium for people living with DM, their caregivers, and healthcare workers.
- MD Europe in the Netherlands raised awareness with a video campaign highlighting myotonic dystrophy as the most common form of muscular dystrophy. Click here to watch MD Europe’s video for Awareness Day!
MDF thanks all Global Alliance Members for their ongoing partnership and unwavering dedication the global myotonic dystrophy community!
DM Advocacy in Action
To commemorate the day, MDF hosted a special Advocacy Webinar exploring how community members in the United States and Canada can ask their local, state, or provincial governments to officially recognize the day. Hosted by Kevin Brennan, MDF Advocacy Lead, the program opens with remarks from Dr. Tanya Stevenson, MDF Chief Executive Officer, and features three advocates sharing their proclamation experiences:
- Jim Dolan, MDF community advocate and volunteer support group facilitator, shares his experience working with government officials in Massachusetts.
- Beth Feigenblatt, MDF Awareness Ambassador and volunteer support group facilitator, discusses her proclamation advocacy in Florida and the lessons she learned along the way.
- Dr. Homira Osman of Muscular Dystrophy Canada discusses the Manitoba proclamation and offers practical guidance for advocates across Canada.
Click here to watch our Awareness Day Advocacy webinar! >>>
Photo Highlights from September 15th
Check out some of the incredible photos shared by community members and partners below! Looking for more photos, search your favorite social media platform using the official hashtags #myotonicDystrophy and #myotonicDystrophyAwareness.
