National AFM Day
September 23
About National AFM Day
National AFM Day takes place on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. The day raises awareness of acute flaccid myelitis, a rare but serious neurological condition that affects the spinal cord and can cause sudden muscle weakness, most often in children. It encourages education, supports affected families, and promotes funding for research into a condition that still has no known cure.
What is National AFM Day?
National AFM Day is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare illness that affects the nervous system, specifically the grey matter of the spinal cord. The day was created by LaMay Ann Axton, a mother whose own child was diagnosed with the condition. Frustrated by how little the public knew about a disease that can strike without warning, she founded the observance to inform others, build a support network for families, and push for medical progress. Today the cause is championed by organisations such as the Acute Flaccid Myelitis Association, which works to increase public understanding and fund research.
When is National AFM Day?
National AFM Day falls on 23 September every year. In 2026 this lands on a Wednesday. It is a fixed-date observance, so it is marked on the same calendar date annually, which makes it easy for families, clinicians, and advocacy groups to plan campaigns and fundraising events around it. The date sits in late September, a period that has historically coincided with seasonal spikes in AFM cases.
Why National AFM Day Matters
Acute flaccid myelitis is uncommon, but its impact on those affected is profound and frequently life-changing. The condition causes the rapid onset of arm or leg weakness, reduced reflexes, and in some cases difficulty moving the eyes, speaking, or swallowing. In its most severe form it can affect the muscles needed for breathing, requiring urgent hospital care. Because the onset is so sudden, many families describe going from a mildly unwell child to a medical emergency within days.
The condition overwhelmingly affects children. According to United States surveillance data, at least 90 per cent of confirmed cases each year occur in those under 18, and the figure reached 94 per cent in 2018. That year alone, 238 confirmed cases were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Raising awareness helps parents and clinicians recognise the warning signs early, when prompt treatment and rehabilitation can make a meaningful difference to recovery.
How to Get Involved in National AFM Day
There are many ways to support the cause, whether you are a parent, a healthcare professional, or simply someone who wants to help spread the word.
- Learn the warning signs – Familiarise yourself with the early symptoms, particularly sudden limb weakness following a mild viral illness, so you can seek urgent medical help if needed.
- Donate to research and family support – Contribute to the Acute Flaccid Myelitis Association, which provides grants to families needing financial help for medical equipment and treatment.
- Share information online – Post facts and personal stories using the hashtag #NationalAFMDay to reach people who may never have heard of the condition.
- Support affected families – Many children with AFM face long rehabilitation. Offering practical help, from meals to transport to appointments, can ease the burden enormously.
- Encourage good hygiene – Since most cases follow viral infections, promoting regular handwashing and staying home when unwell helps limit the spread of the viruses linked to AFM.
- Fundraise in your community – Organise a march, a bake sale, or a sponsored event to raise both money and visibility for the cause.
- Talk to your healthcare provider – Clinicians who understand AFM are better placed to diagnose it quickly, so encouraging professional awareness is valuable.
- Advocate for research funding – Write to representatives or sign petitions calling for continued investment into understanding and treating the condition.
History of National AFM Day
Acute flaccid myelitis was first formally recognised in 2014, when unexpected clusters of cases emerged in California and Colorado. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began tracking the illness that year, establishing diagnostic criteria that rely on MRI imaging and detailed medical history. From the outset, researchers noticed a striking pattern: cases peaked roughly every two years, in late summer and early autumn, during 2014, 2016, and 2018.
The 2018 peak was the largest on record, with 238 confirmed cases reported across the United States. Investigators linked these biennial surges to enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), a respiratory virus that circulates seasonally. More than 90 per cent of AFM patients had experienced a mild viral infection, such as a cold or respiratory illness, in the days before their weakness began. Despite this strong association, the precise mechanism by which the virus triggers spinal cord damage is still being studied.
It was against this backdrop that LaMay Ann Axton established National AFM Day. After her child was diagnosed, she experienced the fear, confusion, and isolation that so many families describe. Rather than retreating, she turned her experience into advocacy, choosing 23 September to anchor an annual day of awareness. The observance has since become a focal point for families, clinicians, and organisations working to ensure that a rare disease is not a forgotten one.
Noteworthy Facts About National AFM Day
- AFM has been formally tracked in the United States since 2014, when the first recognised outbreaks occurred in California and Colorado.
- Reported cases have followed a biennial pattern, peaking in 2014, 2016, and 2018 during late summer and early autumn.
- In 2018, 238 confirmed cases were reported to the CDC, the highest annual total recorded.
- At least 90 per cent of confirmed cases each year occur in children under the age of 18.
- Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has been associated with the major peaks in AFM cases, and over 90 per cent of patients had a mild viral illness beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National AFM Day?
National AFM Day is an annual observance that raises awareness of acute flaccid myelitis, a rare neurological condition affecting the spinal cord. It was founded to educate the public, support affected families, and encourage research funding.
When is National AFM Day in 2026?
National AFM Day takes place on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. It is observed on the same date every year.
Who founded National AFM Day?
The day was created by LaMay Ann Axton, a mother whose child was diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis. She established the observance to raise awareness after experiencing how little was widely known about the condition.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National AFM Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #NationalAFMDay and #NationalAFMDay2026 on social media. The more people who understand acute flaccid myelitis and its warning signs, the more lives can be protected through early recognition and care.
Related Awareness Days
- TM (Transverse Myelitis) Awareness Day – Marks another rare inflammatory condition of the spinal cord that shares several symptoms with AFM.
- World Polio Day – Highlights a disease that, like AFM, can cause paralysis and is often compared to it because of its polio-like presentation.
- Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day – Focuses on the wider community living with spinal cord damage and the rehabilitation journeys involved.
Links
- Visit the Acute Flaccid Myelitis Association website
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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