Migraine Awareness Week – Sep. 24, 2026

Migraine Awareness Week
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United Kingdom
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Week starting with the 4th Thursday of September
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Migraine Awareness Week unites individuals and organizations across the UK every year to shed light on this debilitating neurological disease. It’s a crucial time to challenge misconceptions, share personal stories, and advocate for better understanding and support. Join the conversation, educate yourself, and support those living with migraine.

Want to sponsor Migraine Awareness Week? Learn how

Expected Migraine Awareness Week Deals

As a Cause holiday, Migraine Awareness Week focuses on fundraising and advocacy rather than commercial deals. The Migraine Trust, the UK’s leading migraine charity, spearheads awareness campaigns and research funding. Look for opportunities to donate directly to their vital work or participate in sponsored walks and virtual events. Corporate partners often run donation-matching programs or sell branded merchandise with proceeds benefiting migraine research and support services. We encourage everyone to visit the Migraine Trust’s official website for confirmed ways to get involved and contribute to their mission.

Platform Guide for Migraine Awareness Week

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #MigraineAwarenessWeek. Share facts, personal stories, and advocacy messages to amplify the cause.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #MigraineAwarenessWeek. Join community groups and share resources for support.

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #MigraineAwarenessWeek. Discuss workplace accommodations and support for employees with migraine.

Social Media Tips for Migraine Awareness Week

Individuals

Share your personal experience with migraine to reduce stigma and connect with others. Post about your coping strategies or how you manage triggers.

Creators

Produce educational content debunking migraine myths or demonstrating migraine-friendly routines. Interview experts or share advocacy tips.

Brands

Highlight your commitment to employee well-being by sharing resources on migraine support in the workplace. Partner with advocacy groups for donation drives.

Organizations & Brands for Migraine Awareness Week

  1. Migraine Trust

    Founded in 1965, the Migraine Trust is the UK's leading charity for people affected by migraine. They fund research, provide information, and campaign for better services and understanding, supporting thousands of individuals annually.

  2. Eli Lilly and Company

    Founded in 1876, Eli Lilly and Company is a global pharmaceutical leader with a significant portfolio in neuroscience, including innovative treatments for migraine. They invest heavily in research and development to improve patient outcomes.

  3. Amgen

    A leading biotechnology company, Amgen develops and manufactures human therapeutics, including several groundbreaking treatments for migraine. They are committed to advancing science to address serious illnesses and improve health.

  4. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

    Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is a global pharmaceutical company specializing in generic medicines and innovative treatments. They offer a range of products for neurological conditions, including options for migraine management.

  5. Headache & Migraine Policy Forum

    The Headache & Migraine Policy Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for policies that improve the lives of people with headache and migraine disorders. They work to raise awareness among policymakers and healthcare leaders.

  6. National Headache Foundation

    Established in 1970, the National Headache Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on educating headache and migraine sufferers, their families, and healthcare providers. They provide resources and support to improve diagnosis and treatment.

  7. Biohaven Pharmaceuticals

    Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, now part of Pfizer, developed innovative therapies for neurological and rare diseases, notably their advancements in CGRP inhibitors for migraine treatment. Their research significantly impacted the migraine landscape.

Migraine Awareness Week Hero

Dr. Peter Goadsby

Dr. Peter Goadsby is a world-renowned neurologist and researcher, instrumental in revolutionizing the understanding and treatment of migraine. His work on the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) led to the development of new drug classes, significantly improving options for millions of migraine sufferers globally.

History of Migraine Awareness Week

Migraines are a chronic neurological disorder that affects over a billion people across the world. Migraine symptoms include long-lasting headaches, characterized by severe, throbbing, or pulsating pain on one side of the head. The headache is often accompanied by light or sound sensitivity, nausea, or vomiting. Even though the symptoms can be very uncomfortable and impact the overall quality of life, people remain ignorant of the condition. Migraine is one of the top ten leading causes of years lived with disability worldwide. Around the world, the prevalence of migraine is approximately 10% of the entire population. More than half the patients who complain of severe and regular headaches, turn out to be migraines.

While migraines don’t have a definitive cause, certain factors can trigger the condition. These triggers include stress, irregular sleep schedules, caffeine or alcohol consumption, dietary triggers such as chocolate, cheese, and dairy products, hormone fluctuations, and more. That’s a long list!

The condition significantly impacts the individual’s personal, professional and social life. Migraines come without a warning and can be crippling. This is the main reason for an urgent need to diagnose and treat migraines correctly. It also helps patients to identify their migraine triggers and avoid these triggers as best as they can. There is also the need for more effective, personalized migraine treatment. Medical practitioners should also take into account the patient’s comorbidities, frequency and severity of attacks, and more. As you can see, patients and healthcare workers need to be more vigilant of migrant attacks and their treatments.

Migraine Awareness Week timeline

460 B.C.
Hippocrates Describes a Migraine

He describes headaches brought on by certain sounds.

1886
Women Versus Men

Erasmus Darwin notices that women are more likely to get migraine attacks than men.

1962
It’s classified as a Neurological Disorder

This is a major breakthrough.

1998
Excedrin

This is the first drug available to treat migraines.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Migraine Awareness Week

Local businesses can support Migraine Awareness Week by fostering a migraine-friendly workplace environment. Offer flexible work arrangements, provide quiet spaces, and ensure proper lighting to accommodate employees with migraine. Consider hosting an educational session on migraine triggers and management, or partner with a local charity like the Migraine Trust for a donation drive, demonstrating your commitment to employee well-being and community health.

Migraine Awareness Week FAQs

When is Migraine Awareness Week?

In 2026, Migraine Awareness Week runs from Thursday, September 24, through Wednesday, September 30. It’s a critical time to elevate understanding of this complex neurological condition.

How many people are affected by migraine?

Migraine affects approximately one in seven people globally, making it one of the most common neurological diseases. In the UK alone, around 10 million people are living with migraine.

What are the common symptoms of migraine?

Beyond severe head pain, migraine symptoms can include throbbing sensations, sensitivity to light, sound, and smell, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances known as aura. These symptoms often severely impact daily life.

Is migraine just a bad headache?

No, migraine is far more than just a bad headache; it is a complex neurological disorder. Headaches are a symptom, but migraine involves a range of debilitating symptoms affecting the entire body and brain.

How to Observe Migraine Awareness Week

  1. Get yourself checked

    Do you also suffer from severe and regular headaches that seem to be triggered by certain situations? Consider getting yourself screened for migraines during Migraine Awareness Week.

  2. Identify the triggers

    If you have indeed been diagnosed with migraine, spend some time during Migraine Awareness Week trying to identify triggers that bring on a migraine attack. Once you have identified these triggers, you can avoid them too.

  3. Raise awareness

    If you or someone you know often suffers from migraine attacks, then you are already aware of how the condition affects the quality of life. Spend Migraine Awareness Week by raising awareness about the diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

5 Facts About The Symptoms Of Migraine

  1. It is a very common condition

    One in four people in the U.S. suffers from migraines.

  2. It mostly affects women

    Women are 18% more likely than men to suffer from migraines.

  3. Children can have migraines too

    Young boys are more likely to suffer from migraines than girls.

  4. They can trigger other mental ailments

    Patients with migraine are also likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.

  5. Some may get migraine attacks daily

    These are called chronic migraines.

Why Migraine Awareness Week is Important

  1. It affects so many of us

    Migraine Awareness Week raises awareness of a condition that affects more than a billion people in the world. The more people know about migraines, the easier it is to demand better treatments.

  2. It makes life better

    The aim of Migraine Awareness Week is also to find a personalized and dedicated treatment for every patient. The observations are fully dedicated to making every patient’s life better.

  3. It’s a celebration of medical science

    Do you realize the incredible progress that medical science has made in the last few years in the diagnosis and treatment of migraine? Migraine Awareness Week also celebrates the contribution of medical science.

Migraine Awareness Week dates

Year Date Day
2025 September 24–30 Wednesday–Tuesday
2026 September 24–30 Thursday–Wednesday