Families & Caregivers
International Angelman Day: Feb 15
An opportunity to raise awareness of Angelman syndrome around the world.
Two AS parents started IAD in 2013 and engaged 31 Angelman syndrome organizations from around the world to join their efforts. Today, IAD has grown to over 50 AS organizations participating worldwide!
February 15th is significant because February is Rare Disease Month and the 15th refers to the 15th chromosome, which is the chromosome impacted by Angelman syndrome.
The purpose of this day, as described by Angelman Day Info, is to:
Raise awareness worldwide of the condition;
Mobilize people to action & encourage fundraising for the individual organization in their country;
Promote research and educational resources in the organization’s own country; and
Remember those people with Angelman syndrome who are no longer with us.
Ways to Participate
Below are resources for the community to share with others to help bring awareness to Angelman syndrome and your loved one's personal journey. If you need help or are looking for something specific, please email community@cureangelman.org!
Imagine if you walked into a room and said that your loved one lives with Angelman syndrome and EVERYONE knew what it was!
Until we get there, it’s important to educate others about Angelman syndrome, FAST, and what it takes to get an approved therapeutic through the drug development pipeline.
By educating your local community, schools, and the online algorithm, we are bringing visibility to Angelman syndrome, which can lead to us finding all those that live with AS and potential partners to help us advance towards our mission: to cure Angelman syndrome.
Quick ways to participate
Follow FAST on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn so you see the International Angelman Day content as it drops.
Starting February 1, share our daily Angelman syndrome facts on your feed or story.
Download and share the Angelman Syndrome Awareness Matters Fact Sheet with your local network, school, workplace, or community groups.
Send this to someone who’s new to Angelman syndrome
If a friend, teacher, neighbor, or coworker asks, “What is Angelman syndrome?” these links are a great place to start:
What is Angelman syndrome? An easy-to-understand “start here” hub: https://cureangelman.org/about-angelman-syndrome
Traits & symptoms: What Angelman syndrome can look like day to day: https://cureangelman.org/traits-and-symptoms
Misdiagnosis: How AS can be misdiagnosed: https://cureangelman.org/angelman-syndrome-misdiagnosis
Genetics 101: What is the science behind AS looks like: https://cureangelman.org/genetics-101
Genotypes explained: Why there are different genetic types and what that means https://cureangelman.org/genotypes
Cost of Caregiving: A full analysis of the economic impact on AS caregivers:
https://cureangelman.org/articles/economic-burden-angelman-syndrome
FAST and our approach: What FAST does and how we drive research forward: https://cureangelman.org/about-fast
Angelman Syndrome Drug Development Pipeline: Where potential therapies stand today: https://cureangelman.org/current-pipeline
Trials & studies: How clinical trials and studies work and where to learn more: https://cureangelman.org/trials-studies
Newly diagnosed: A starting point for families at the beginning of their Angelman syndrome journey: https://cureangelman.org/newly-diagnosed
Caregiver resources: Practical tools and guides for daily life: https://cureangelman.org/resources
Once people know what Angelman syndrome is, seeing a real person and a real family story can help them remember, care, and take action.
We invite you to share your story in a way that resonates with you. It’s one of the most powerful ways to make Angelman syndrome visible and real to others.
Sharing suggestions
A photo of your loved one or your family (or a meaningful moment)
A short video (10–30 seconds is perfect)
A text-only post
Downloadable tools
How to tag
Tag: @cureangelman on Instagram, @cureangelman.org on Facebook, and Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics LinkedIn
Hashtags: #InternationalAngelmanDay #IAD2026 #AngelmanSyndrome #CureAngelman
Research progress depends on sustained funding. In rare disease, programs can move forward quickly, or slow down, based on whether the next steps are funded. That is why we need help funding our drug development pipeline.
Every gift helps FAST support the work that moves potential therapies forward, from early discovery through trial readiness and clinical studies.
If you do share posts on social media, we encourage you to include a link to the FAST donation page, or even to start your own Facebook fundraiser!
Different ways to give to FAST
Donate (one-time or monthly)
Give through a Donor-Advised Fund, stock and other giving options
Explore all giving options here: https://connect.cureangelman.org/ways-to-give/
Want to fundraise, but not sure where to start?
Krista Nanigian, Community Fundraising Manager krista.nanigian@cureangelman.org
If you want a simple starting point: monthly giving is one of the most reliable ways to keep research moving step by step. Join the FAST Roadmap Fund for a recurring gift. You can start with $15!
If none of the options above work for you, here are some additional activities to consider as a way to participate!
Go Blue!
Ask your local council/city to illuminate an important building in blue and use the lighting blue toolkit as a guide!
Paint your nails
Bake cookies
Decorate your house
Have a glow party with glow in the dark blue bracelets or wands - ex: Glow Bracelets
Create awareness in your community & classroom
Template from family to students’ parents (Class participation)
Template letter from school administration to parents (Full school)
Print out and distribute coloring pages courtesy of Whitney Causey, Associate Professor of Studio Art at the Louisiana Tech University School of Design and mother of M’Lynn, who lives with AS.
Show videos explaining AS to others: