Dallas skyline shines turquoise for millions living with Dysautonomia

(DALLAS, TX — October 5, 2017) The Bank of America Building, a landmark in the Dallas skyline, will light up turquoise on Saturday, Oct. 28 in support of Dysautonomia Awareness Month. Dysautonomia International is hosting a fundraiser at nearby Enchilada’s Restaurant from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., where guests will enjoy spectacular views of the Bank of America Building shining turquoise.

Nicole Watson of Rockwall, Texas, whose teenage daughter Regan has dysautonomia, stated, “My family & I are humbled to be able to help Dysautonomia International Make Noise for Turquoise by having The Bank of America Building illuminated turquoise on Oct. 28. We hope that by helping to raise awareness, we can help obtain vital funding for research and also give hope to the millions impacted by dysautonomia.”

Dysautonomia is an umbrella term used to describe several medical conditions that cause a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nerves control the “automatic” functions of the body that we do not consciously think about, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, dilation and constriction of the pupils of the eye, temperature control, and more. People living with various forms of dysautonomia have trouble regulating these systems, which can result in lightheadedness, fainting, unstable blood pressure, abnormal heart rates, malnutrition, and in very severe cases, death.

“Autonomic nervous system disorders are common, yet many patients take years to get diagnosed due to a lack of awareness amongst the public and within the medical profession,” explains Dr. Steven Vernino, Professor of Neurology at UT Southwestern in Dallas, who volunteers on Dysautonomia International’s Medical Advisory Board.

According to Lauren Stiles, president of Dysautonomia International, “over 70 million people worldwide live with a form of dysautonomia. There is no cure for any form of dysautonomia at this time, but Dysautonomia International is funding research and working with researchers to develop better treatments, including the researchers at UT Southwestern, who run one of the best dysautonomia research centers in the world.”

Since its founding in 2012, Dysautonomia International, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has been working to increase public awareness of dysautonomia. The organization started the global Dysautonomia Awareness Month campaign that is celebrated annually during the month of October. With the help of community members, Dysautonomia International organizes landmark lightings, 5K runs, fundraising galas, proclamations, social media campaigns and other awareness activities.

To learn more or to get involved, visit www.dysautonomiainternational.org.

Submitted press release.