National AFM Day

Categories:: Health
Tags:: Awareness Diseases
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every September 23
Holiday emoji:: 🧠

National AFM Day, observed every September 23, is dedicated to raising awareness about acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a serious spinal cord condition. This day highlights the rapid onset of arm or leg weakness and other neurological symptoms affecting children and adults. Get involved by sharing information, supporting research, and advocating for early diagnosis.

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History
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FAQs
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Expected National AFM Day Deals

As a ‘Cause’ holiday, National AFM Day focuses on advocacy and fundraising rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the AFM Foundation and the CDC encourage public support for research into acute flaccid myelitis. Look for donation matching programs from corporate partners, virtual awareness walks, and opportunities to purchase branded merchandise where proceeds benefit AFM research. Many medical supply companies, such as Medline or Cardinal Health, may also highlight their support for neurological health initiatives. We encourage visiting the official CDC and AFM Foundation websites for direct donation links and verified awareness campaigns as September approaches.

Platform Guide for National AFM Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalAFMDay. Share infographics about AFM symptoms and stories of resilience from affected individuals and families.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalAFMDay. Join conversations with medical professionals and researchers, sharing updates on AFM studies and advocacy efforts.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalAFMDay. Create a community event to share resources, host Q&A sessions with experts, or organize a local awareness walk.

National AFM Day Hero

Dr. Sarah Hopkins

Dr. Sarah Hopkins is a medical epidemiologist at the CDC, specializing in acute flaccid myelitis. She has been instrumental in leading the CDC's response to AFM outbreaks, investigating cases, and developing surveillance and research strategies to better understand this complex condition and protect public health.

History of National AFM Day

The medical condition acute flaccid myelitis (A.F.M.) has only been formally tracked since 2014 — with the number of cases spiking in recent years. A group of people based in Texas reported their observation of a similar pattern in 2013 of between one and four cases annually with characteristics similar to polio. In 2014, the C.D.C. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report as well as a C.D.C. Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity conference call identified that many A.F.M. cases had neck, back, or extremity pain, but otherwise, patients generally had normal sensation in their limbs. Several participants in the conference call shared whether pain, later abating, might precede the onset of paralysis.

An October 2014 report described outbreaks in California and Colorado, United States, suggesting that there was a high number of cases nationwide. Diagnosis included a fully detailed medical history, M.R.I. imaging, and the elimination of transverse myelitis or Guillain–Barré syndrome as potential causes. Physicians used an online mailing list to communicate about and compare similar cases in Alabama and Kansas. The largest known series of cases of A.F.M. in the U.S. was in Colorado, with 29 total, 12 of whom had been reported from August and onwards of that year.

The C.D.C. since requested physicians provision of information about cases meeting these criteria: patients diagnosed after August 1, 2014, who are no older than 21 years of age; patients showing the acute onset of focal limb weakness; and patients with a spinal cord lesion largely restricted to gray matter visualized by M.R.I. In November 2018, the C.D.C. reported their investigation of 286 cases, with at least 116 confirmed cases in 31 states in the U.S. The C.D.C. has set up a task force to investigate the causes and find treatments for A.F.M.

National AFM Day timeline

1908

Polio First Discovered

Polio is first discovered by Karl Landsteiner and Erwin Popper.

1946

C.D.C. Established

The United States Center for Disease Control (C.D.C.) is established.

2014

A.F.M. First Described

Acute flaccid myelitis is first described in 2014 when a high number of cases start being reported.

2019

A.F.M. Vaccines are Developed

Vaccines for A.F.M. are developed in 2019.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National AFM Day

Local businesses can contribute to National AFM Day by hosting fundraising events or dedicating a portion of sales to AFM research and support organizations. Consider displaying educational materials about AFM symptoms and prevention in your establishment. Healthcare providers and clinics can offer free informational sessions or screenings for neurological symptoms, emphasizing early detection. Partner with local advocacy groups to amplify their message through social media campaigns, using #NationalAFMDay to reach a wider audience and encourage community involvement.

National AFM Day FAQs

When is National AFM Day?

National AFM Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, September 23. This fixed date annually serves as a crucial reminder to raise awareness about acute flaccid myelitis.

How many people are affected by AFM?

Since the CDC began tracking AFM in 2014, there have been hundreds of confirmed cases in the United States, with a notable increase in odd-numbered years. The condition primarily affects children.

What are the common symptoms of AFM?

The hallmark symptom of AFM is the sudden onset of arm or leg weakness, often accompanied by decreased reflexes. Other symptoms can include difficulty moving the eyes, facial droop, or trouble swallowing.

What causes AFM?

The exact cause of AFM remains largely unknown, but most cases have been linked to viral infections, particularly enteroviruses. Researchers are actively working to identify specific triggers and mechanisms.

How to Observe National AFM Day

Organize a community march
Show your voice and organize a march in your community in solidarity with people dealing with acute flaccid myelitis. They will surely appreciate it.
Donate to the A.F.M.A.
Donate some money to the Acute Flaccid Myelitis Association, a charity dedicated to taking care of A.F.M. Any amount will help.
Spread awareness on social media
Share information about A.F.M. on social media using the #NationalAFMDay hashtag. Get your friends and family to join in.

5 Facts About Acute Flaccid Myelitis

It affects the nervous system
A.F.M. attacks the nervous system — holding up the spinal cord, causing great discomfort, and greatly reducing motor function in some parts of the body.
It occurs mostly in children
Most cases of A.F.M. have been found in children.
It is rare but life-threatening
Though it is an uncommon condition, it is life-threatening and has affected a reasonable number of Americans over the years.
There is no current treatment for it
There is no currently known treatment or cure for A.F.M., however, the condition can be managed and prevented by vaccination.
It is similar to polio myelitis
A.F.M. is thought to be somewhat related to poliomyelitis and the latter was widely believed to be a cause of A.F.M. until 2014.

Why National AFM Day is Important

It is an awareness holiday
National A.F.M. Day is an awareness holiday. It brings much-needed attention to the A.F.M. condition, ways of managing it, and the need to find a cure.
It’s an opportunity to fund research
This holiday provides an opportunity to fund research towards treatment for A.F.M. See what you can do today to contribute.
It’s an honorable cause
The awareness campaign behind National A.F.M. Day is an honorable cause and seeks to solve a salient problem. Spreading awareness is one of the ways we can encourage people to help find a solution through donations and funding for research.