Global MND Awareness Day
June 21
About Global MND Awareness Day
Global MND Awareness Day is held every year on 21 June, the date of the summer or winter solstice depending on the hemisphere. The day was established by the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations to raise awareness of motor neurone disease (MND), also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in some countries, and to push for better research, care, and support. In 2026 it falls on Sunday 21 June.
What is Global MND Awareness Day?
Global MND Awareness Day is the international observance for motor neurone disease, a group of progressive neurological conditions that attack the nerves controlling voluntary muscles. The day is led by the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations, a federation of around 50 patient organisations from across the world, and is supported by national charities including the MND Association in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, MND Scotland, the ALS Association in the United States, and MND Australia.
When is Global MND Awareness Day?
Global MND Awareness Day takes place on 21 June every year. In 2026 it falls on a Sunday. The date was chosen because it is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, symbolising both the longest day and the shortest day. The duality reflects the global nature of the MND community and the hope that increased awareness can bring more light to those living with the disease. The official hashtag is #GlobalMNDAwarenessDay.
Why Global MND Awareness Day Matters
Motor neurone disease is a devastating condition that affects an estimated 5,000 people in the UK at any one time and around 30,000 people in the United States. Around one in 300 people will be diagnosed with MND in their lifetime. The illness usually causes progressive muscle weakness, leading to difficulty walking, speaking, swallowing, and eventually breathing, with most people surviving two to five years from diagnosis. There is currently no cure and only a small number of treatments that slow progression. Global MND Awareness Day exists to raise the profile of the disease, to fund desperately needed research, and to push for better care and support for the people living with it.
How to Get Involved in Global MND Awareness Day
Anyone can take part, with options ranging from small acts of solidarity to major fundraising:
- Light up a building blue – Many landmarks around the world light up blue on 21 June; ask your local council, employer, or school to join in.
- Take part in the global virtual relay – The International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations runs an annual virtual relay where people share videos as the day moves around the world.
- Donate to MND research – The MND Association, MND Scotland, the ALS Association, and MND Australia all fund cutting-edge research into causes and treatments.
- Sign the international charter – The Alliance publishes annual policy asks for governments and health systems; signing helps amplify the message.
- Run a workplace fundraiser – Cake sales, dress-down days, and sponsored walks are all popular MND fundraising activities.
- Share a personal story – With permission, sharing the experiences of people living with MND helps the public understand the urgency.
- Write to your elected representatives – Push for faster diagnosis, better access to specialist nurses, and protected research funding for MND.
History of Global MND Awareness Day
The International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations was founded in 1992 to bring together the world’s leading patient organisations and to coordinate research, advocacy, and care worldwide. Global MND Awareness Day was established by the Alliance and first marked in 1997, building on national awareness efforts run by member charities. The choice of 21 June reflected a deliberate symbolic message: the longest and shortest days of the year coming together to represent the global MND community and the contrast between hope and grief that families living with the disease describe.
The day’s profile was transformed in 2014 when the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media, raising more than $220 million for ALS research worldwide and significantly increasing public awareness of the disease. Since then, Global MND Awareness Day has continued to grow, with virtual relays, building lighting events, parliamentary receptions, and community fundraisers held in dozens of countries every June. Recent years have seen significant scientific progress, including new genetic understanding of the disease and emerging therapies for specific genetic forms of ALS.
Noteworthy Facts About Global MND Awareness Day
- Global MND Awareness Day was first marked in 1997, led by the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations.
- The 21 June date marks both the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Around one in 300 people will be diagnosed with MND in their lifetime.
- An estimated 5,000 people in the UK live with MND at any one time.
- The 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge raised more than $220 million globally for ALS research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Global MND Awareness Day?
An international awareness day held on 21 June each year that raises the profile of motor neurone disease and supports research, care, and advocacy.
When is Global MND Awareness Day in 2026?
Sunday 21 June 2026.
Who founded Global MND Awareness Day?
The International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations, founded in 1992, established the day in the late 1990s.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing Global MND Awareness Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtag #GlobalMNDAwarenessDay on social media. The more people who learn about MND, the better the chance of faster diagnosis, kinder care, and a cure.
Related Awareness Days
- World Mental Health Day – Recognises the mental health impact of living with a serious neurological condition.
- World Blood Donor Day – Falls in the same week and supports another vital area of medical care.
- Children’s Hospice Week – Connects with the broader theme of palliative care and family support.
Links
- Visit the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations Global Day page
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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