Color The World Orange™ Day for CRPS/RSD Awareness

What is CRPS/RSD?

Complex regional pain syndrome, also called reflex sympathetic dystrophy, is a type of chronic pain condition. It typically occurs after an injury and affects one limb (arm, leg, hand or foot). Although CRPS/RSD is not yet completely understood, it is believed that it develops when the central or peripheral nervous system is damaged or malfunctions. It may also be caused by an immune system response.

What is Color The World Orange™ day?

Since 2014, the first Monday in November is recognized as Color The World Orange™ day for CRPS/RSD awareness. It is celebrated the first Monday of November. In 2020, it will be celebrated on Monday, Nov. 2.

Members of the CRPS community encourage people to wear orange, take a photo and post it on social media with the hashtag #CRPSOrangeDay. Individuals can also talk to local businesses to encourage them to hang signs supporting CRPS/RSD awareness or hand out orange ribbons to promote awareness.

What buildings/landmarks participate?

The Color The World Orange™ project has worked with cities, states and provinces to proclaim the first November in Monday, “Color The World Orange™ day.” Many famous buildings and landmarks all over the world will be lit with the color orange on that night of November . These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Niagara Falls (between Ontario and New York)
• Kosciuszko Bridge (between Brooklyn and Queens, New York)
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland, Ohio)
• Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
• Aloha Tower (Honolulu, Hawaii)
• The CN Tower (Toronto, Ontario)
• Peace Bridge (between Buffalo, New York and Fort Erie, Ontario)
• Blackpool Tower (Blackpool, England)
• Lanxess Arena (Cologne, Germany)
• CHQ Building (Dublin, Ireland)

Because CRPS/RSD is not yet thoroughly understood, raising awareness is critical. More research needs to be done to develop definitive diagnostic tests, improve treatment options and, eventually, find a cure.

For more information about Color The World Orange™ day and materials to help raise awareness, visit https://rsds.org/color-the-world-orange-2019/ or https://www.colortheworldorange.com/aboutus.

More information about CRPS can be found here: https://www.painscale.com/article/complex-regional-pain-syndrome-crps.

*Color The World Orange™ is an independent initiative.