*Events which are not hosted by IAPMD will be marked with this star.
IAPMD does not assume any responsibility or liability for any communications or materials related to events that are not hosted by IAPMD available or at the sites to which it links, including responsibility or liability for their accuracy. No link on the IAPMD website is a referral or endorsement of either the linked-to entity or any product or service. Such links are provided for convenience only.
Throughout April 2024, landmarks around the world will light up teal in honor of PMD Awareness Month - a powerful symbol of hope to spark awareness and celebrate Our Lightbulb Moment!
Each year on April 27, we take a solemn day to reflect and honor those who have lost their lives to PMDD or PME.
Even through the excitement of raising awareness and sparking change, we hold close those who are no longer with us. Because they are the reason we fight! Any life lost to premenstrual disorders is too many.
We ask that you join us in lighting a candle of remembrance at 8pm (in your time zone) and take a few minutes of quiet reflection (or whatever you feel is right for you to do).
If you would like to share a tribute in memory of those we've lost, share a picture or video of your candle and use #PMDRemembranceDay so we can see the lights shining around the world.
From lived experience - to a large genetic study - to shaping the future of women/AFAB individuals’ healthcare in Wales - Join IAPMD for a relaxed event to talk about all about what's occurin' in Wales when it comes to PMDD!
Closed captions will be used for accessibility.
Guests:
Professor Arianna Di Florio - NCHM, Wales
Debbie Shaffner - FTWW
Laura Teare-Jones (Advocate with lived experience)
Becci Frost (Advocate with lived experience)
We are hoping to livestream this event but you will not be able to engage/interact with the panelists/others that way.
Tickets: To join in and ask questions, you need to book a space here:
Tickets are by donation*, and every $, £, €, and ¥ goes to support the mission of IAPMD. Please give what you can to help support IAPMD's important work.
If you are in financial difficulties due to living with a Premenstrual Disorder - please get in touch with Vanessa at events@iapmd.org for a no-questions-asked complimentary ticket a minimum of 4 days before the event to guarantee your spot.
* The suggested donation is $5 US. Please note that the minimum donation accepted via Eventbrite is $1 US.
WE ARE INTERNATIONAL - this event will run at 2 pm EST / 7 pm UK - find your timezone here.
Host: Laura Murphy - Director of Education & Awareness at IAPMD.
More information:
Laura & Becci will be sharing their lived experiences of life with PMDD in Wales
Debbie Shafner will be joining us from FTWW (Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales) - the only patient-led charity in Wales dedicated to women’s health equality, campaigning for improved access to optimum health services across the country. Debbie will be talking about the #WomensHealthWales Coalition, calling on the Welsh Government to prioritize female healthcare and how they hope this will impact the future of women and AFAB individuals in Wales.
Professor Arianna Di Florio (National Centre for Mental Health, Wales and IAPMD CAB member) will be updating us on a large PMDD Genetics research study (PreDDict) and how you can take part!
With this year’s theme of Spark Change, we believe lighting up landmarks around the world will be a powerful symbol of hope and community to help spark awareness and change! If you are going to a light-up, make sure you take lots of pictures and tag us in @iapmdglobal!
Confirmed so far :
Bank of America Plaza, Dallas, TX, USA
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge, VA, USA
Mid-Hudson Bridge, NY, USA
Brant Street Pier, Burlington, ON, Canada
Big Banana, NSW, Australia
Hamilton Signature Sign, ON, Canada
Bridgend County Borough Council, Wales, UK
Niagara Falls, Canada
Rochester Cathedral, Kent, UK
Gloucester Cathedral, UK
Exeter Historic Guildhall, Exeter
The Bell Tower, Perth, Australia
City Hall of Prince Edward Island, Canada
Vancouver Convention Centre, Canada
Get a group of folks together and go and hand out some posters to anyone passing by
Contact a local news station and see if they will cover the light-up and share your story
Share on any local Facebook groups etc why the building/location is lit up teal that day and how people might know they have a PMD. If you find someone who thinks they may have PMDD, we recommend this page for them.
Yes! If it is safe to do so, you are very welcome to attend a light-up. They can be very powerful to see in person.
Please note that if you are arranging a larger group to attend, some locations require you to have prior approval or permits, so do be mindful and research in advance and make sure you contact the location directly if you have any queries.
All locations have their own timing/procedure for light-ups - most locations will light up around dusk. If you are traveling any distance to attend, then do contact the venue in advance for their specific timings.
The exception to this is Niagara Falls which lights at 10 pm EST for 15 minutes.
With thanks to Gina Friel who volunteered her time to organize the light ups.
Every Tuesday in April (PMD Awareness Month) is Teal Tuesday - and we‘d love your help to spread the word and participate in fundraising. Teal Tuesdays are dedicated to Sparking Change, raising awareness for those living with PMD’s, and helping IAPMD raise vital funds in a fun and creative way. Just wear/make something teal and start some conversations to Spark Change!
Donate here
HOW DOES IT WORK?
WEAR TEAL - On Tuesdays in April, photograph (or film!) yourself wearing or displaying something teal. Alternatively, photograph something teal that you’ve created if you are feeling crafty!
DONATE - Donate US$10 (or your currency equivalent!) via the donation page.
SHARE - Head to Instagram and share your photo and a screenshot of your donation (to encourage others to give and get involved!)
You can share in a reel or a grid post), and don’t forget to tag us on @iapmdglobal and use #PAM23TealTuesdays.
Below is some handy wording for your post to get you started. We can't wait to see you keepin' it teal!
“I’m keeping it teal this Tuesday to raise valuable funds for an organization close to my heart. @iapmdglobal provides support, education, and resources to anyone living with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) and/or PME (Premenstrual Exacerbation). I am passionate about this cause because [add some of your story if you feel comfortable sharing]. If you want to learn more about Premenstrual Disorders, make sure to visit iapmd.org”
#PAM23TealTuesdays
Head to the IAPMD shop for Awareness t-shirts, hoodies, and stickers - all with a touch of teal - and supporting a great cause and with FREE international postage.
Each day in April we will share a hint word to inspire posts about your PMD experience. Then, you post your representation in an image or reel of that word in response. There will be winners chosen at the end of the month and maybe a few surprises along the way! This activity is always popular and wonderful for community-building, as well as getting PMD awareness ‘out of the echo chamber’ and to the general public.
You can respond literally, figuratively - or think outside the box! Photos, doodles, illustrations, etc. all are welcome! We love seeing what you come up with!
This is one of our favorite times of year - seeing the PMD community bonding, sharing, and learning. And each year, more and more voices join the conversation - with lots of lightbulb moments and connections made between hormones and mental health.
By sharing your experience you never know who you could be helping. Your posts might create a ‘lightbulb moment’ for someone struggling in the dark!
Every day in April, @IAPMDglobal Instagram will share a hint word and short prompt.
For example: ‘Hope’ - what has given you hope in your PMD journey?
You share a post about PMD on your account, inspired by the hint. Include the hashtags #PMDAwarenessChallenge and #PMDAwarenessMonth2023. That’s it!
Here are the hint words for 2023 for those who want to get their thinking hats on!
No - although we hope you do! You can post and get involved when you can. Priority for the prize allocation goes to those who got creative with their posts and made a committed effort to get involved regularly. The winners will be chosen in May 2022 by the IAPMD social media team.
Get involved in building the PMD community by searching for #PMDAwarenessChallenge and #PMDAwarenessMonth2023 on Instagram hashtags to check in with others who are taking part and show them some love! Chat, make friends, support each other - we love to see it!
See someone who needs signposting to information? Send them to the link in our Instagram bio (iapmd.org/links) for quick links to all our popular resources!
Check out last year's entries by searching for #PMDAwarenessChallenge and #PMDDAwarenessMonth2022 on Instagram. Want to go even further back? Check out #PMDDAwarenessChallenge from previous years
Wondering what Teal Tuesday is? Find out all about it here.
Join IAPMD for a relaxed update on what is happening for PMD Awareness Month this April and a panel of folks as we chat about:
What does PMD Awareness mean to you?
Why does PMD Awareness Month Matter?
What worries you about opening up about PMDD/PME?
What will you be doing for PMD Awareness Month?
Why is it important to involve men in the PMD conversation?
What have been some outcomes of you speaking about PMD?
and more!
Closed captions will be used for accessibility.
WE ARE INTERNATIONAL -
Host: Laura Murphy - Director of Education & Awareness at IAPMD.
Tickets are by donation* - Please give what you can to help support IAPMD's important work. Suggested donation is $5 US.
*$1 US minimum donation
Every dollar goes to support the mission of IAPMD, for more information please visit iapmd.org/about
