SUWANEE, Ga., Oct. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Throughout October, the Facial Pain Association (FPA) commemorates Facial Pain Awareness Month by honoring those living with neuropathic facial pain. The FPA, the leading national nonprofit serving this community, brings together patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocates to shed light on conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia (TN), persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP), and other neuropathic facial pain disorders.
Key awareness dates include:
- Oct. 7: Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day
- Oct. 10: Geniculate Neuralgia Awareness Day
- Oct. 14: Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia Awareness Day
- Oct. 25: Occipital Neuralgia Awareness Day
Neuropathic facial pain is characterized by severe pain in areas such as the eyes and mouth. Everyday activities — smiling, talking, eating, brushing teeth — can trigger excruciating episodes lasting minutes or hours, often multiple times a day. Left undiagnosed or untreated, it can become profoundly debilitating.
“Facial pain is often misunderstood, including by many healthcare professionals, leaving patients on a long and frustrating road before arriving at a proper diagnosis and treatment plan,” emphasized Dr. Raymond Sekula, Chair of the FPA’s Medical Advisory Board and Professor of Neurological Surgery at Columbia University. “The most important way to expedite the patient’s journey toward pain relief starts with awareness.”
This year also marks a milestone with the launch of the Facial Pain Registry, a first-of-its-kind initiative introduced in June. The Registry collects patient-reported data to help researchers, clinicians, and policymakers better understand the impact of facial pain and improve treatment and outcomes.
“Facial Pain Awareness Month is about giving voice to a community that is often overlooked,” said Melissa Baumbick, CEO of the FPA. “Through awareness activities and the launch of the Facial Pain Registry, we are building a stronger foundation for research, advocacy, and support for everyone living with facial pain.”
Since June, the FPA has been actively recruiting participants to build this critical resource. By joining the Registry, individuals ensure their voices and experiences are represented in a way that drives research and advances care. Participation is open not only to those living with neuropathic facial pain, but also to individuals with comorbid conditions such as migraine or temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD). To learn more and get involved, visit www.facepain.org.
Awareness activities extend beyond the Registry. The FPA invites the public to take part in raising awareness and supporting the community during October. People can purchase teal merchandise, host fundraisers, share experiences on social media, and spread the word about facial pain disorders. Learn more at https://www.facepain.org/face-today-together/ and don’t forget to tag the FPA in posts.
Visibility is another key theme this year. Over 50 buildings, bridges, and monuments will light up in teal to show support for those living with neuropathic facial pain. Landmarks range from well-known skyscrapers and sports stadiums to small-town village halls. A full list of participating sites can be found at https://www.facepain.org/blog/light-it-up-teal/.
Light it Up Teal Participants as of October 1
| Site | Location | Lighting Date |
| Malcolm Fraser Bridge | Canberra, Australia | October 7 |
| Big Banana Fun Park | Coffs Harbour, Australia | October 7 |
| Matagarup Bridge | Perth, Australia | October 7 |
| Mount Street Bridge | Perth, Australia | October 7 |
| Sky Ribbon | Perth, Australia | October 7 |
| Joondalup Drive Bridge | Perth, Australia | October 7 |
| Northbridge Tunnel | Perth, Australia | October 7 |
| Great Northern Highway Port Hedland Interchange Bridge | Perth, Australia | October 7 |
| The Bell Tower | Perth, Australia | October 7 |
| Calgary Tower | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | October 7 |
| Science World | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | October 7 |
| City Hall | Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada | October 7 |
| Peace Bridge | Buffalo, New York and Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada | October 7 |
| Ranfurly House Dungannon | Mid Ulster, Ireland | October 7 |
| Burnavon Cookstown | Mid Ulster, Ireland | October 7 |
| Bridewell Magherafelt | Mid Ulster, Ireland | October 7 |
| Brighton Place Pier | Brighton, United Kingdom | October 7 |
| Sloss Furnaces | Birmingham, Alabama | October 7 |
| Birmingham Zoo | Birmingham, Alabama | October 7 |
| Union Plaza Building | Little Rock, Arkansas | October 7 |
| “M” Sign, City of Moreno Valley | Moreno Valley, California | October 7 |
| Jack’s Urban Meeting Place | Boise, Idaho | October 7 |
| Willis Tower | Chicago, Illinois | October 7 |
| Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bridge | Fort Wayne, Indiana | October 7 |
| AES Indiana Window Lights | Indianapolis, Indiana | October 7 |
| Gloucester Clock Tower | Gloucester, Massachusetts | October 7 |
| Norman B. Leventhal Park | Boston, Massachusetts | October 7 |
| France Avenue Lighting | Edina, Minnesota | October 7 |
| Mayo Clinic | Phoenix, Arizona | October 7 |
| Mayo Clinic | Rochester, Minnesota | October 7 |
| Truliant Tower | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | October 7 |
| Bob Kerrey Bridge | Omaha, Nebraska | October 7 |
| First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains | Pompton Plains, New Jersey | October 7 |
| MEET Center | Las Vegas, Nevada | October 7 |
| Myriad Botanical Gardens Crystal Bridge | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | October 7 |
| Skydance Bridge | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | October 7 |
| Gulf Tower & Koppers Building | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | October 7 |
| PECO Crown Lights | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | October 7 |
| One Liberty Place | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | October 7 |
| Pennsylvania Convention Center | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | October 7 |
| Rock Hill Water Tower | Rock Hill, South Carolina | October 7 |
| Alamo Quarry Market Smokestacks | San Antonio, Texas | October 7-9 |
| Bank of America Tower | Dallas, Texas | October 7 |
| City Hall | Houston, Texas | October 7 |
| Seattle Convention Center Arch | Seattle, Washington | October |
| Milwaukee County Courthouse | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | October 7 |
| Sakonnet River Bridge | Portsmouth and Tiverton, Rhode Island | October 7 |
| High Level Bridge | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | October 21 |
| One Monarch Place — Marquee Lights | Springfield, Massachusetts | October 21 |
| Round Island Lighthouse | Pascagoula, Mississippi | October 21 |
| I-35 Bridge | Minneapolis, Minnesota | October 21 |
| Mitchell Park Domes | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | November 27 |
For more information about Facial Pain Awareness Month or to enroll in the Facial Pain Registry, visit the FPA at www.facepain.org.
About Facial Pain Association: The Facial Pain Association (FPA) is a registered non-profit, 501(c)(3) volunteer-led and community-focused organization. We are the largest patient organization supporting all people affected by neuropathic facial pain, leading the world in resources for information and healthcare guidance. Through programs of education, personal support, and advocacy efforts, the FPA supports patients, their loved ones and caregivers, and healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat people affected by facial pain.
Contact:
Natalie Merrithew
1 800 923 3608
nmerrithew@facepain.org
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/967ed609-09b9-4b83-835a-ac2ee259bf6e
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/39ad34c5-edb2-4a91-b02d-0eeda7f63bcb
