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Pediatric Long Covid Awareness Week 2024

Spreading Awareness, Accelerating Research
Join us in raising awareness and accelerating research to support children affected by Long Covid.
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According to State-of-Art Narrative Review of Pediatric Research:
Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 in Children

10-20%

Long Covid affects 10-20% of kids after Covid infection

5.8M

5.8 million kids impacted by Long Covid in the United States as of 2023

About Pediatric Long Covid Awareness Week

September 9-13, 2024

Long Covid in Kids

Long Covid refers to the lasting effects that can occur after a Covid-19 infection, including ongoing, relapsing, or new symptoms that persist beyond the initial illness. It can affect any child, even those who had mild or no symptoms during their Covid infection.

Awareness Matters

Pediatric Long Covid Awareness Week is vital as it highlights a condition that is often overlookded and misunderstood. By raising awareness, we bring attention to the unique challenges faced by children with Long Covid, driving support for research, advocacy, and care.

Focus on Research

Pediatric Long Covid Awareness Week aims to drive significant investment in critical research. Understanding the impact of Long Covid on children and adolescents is essential to developing effective treatments and interventions  that can improve their long-term health outcomes.

Events & Activities

Join us for a week of impactful events designed to raise awareness, support, and advocacy for children affected by Long Covid. Below are the events and activities planned throughout the week.

Register to Participate

Monday, September 9th

  • Event:
    Wells Fargo Building Lights Up for Pediatric Long Covid at 550 S Tryon, Charlotte, NC
  • Details:
    A prominent building in Charlotte, NC, will be illuminated to mark the beginning of Pediatric Long Covid Awareness Week. This symbolic gesture aims to raise awareness of the challenges faced by children affected by Long Covid and to show support for their ongoing fight.

Tuesday, September 10th

  • Event:
    RECOVER R3 Series Panel - Characteristics of Long Covid among Children and Adolescents
  • Details:
    This panel will explore the characteristics of Long COVID in children and adolescents, featuring expert doctors and scientists who will discuss the latest research findings and clinical experiences. Join us to learn more about how this condition affects the younger population and what steps can be taken to support them. Panelists include RECOVER researchers Rachel Gross, Melissa Stockwell, Tony Thaweethai, and Andrea Foulkes. Long Covid Families Founder and President, Megan Carmilani will also join the panel to share the perspective of families.

Wednesday, September 11th

  • Event:
    Charting the Path for Pediatric Research and Patient Experience
  • Details:
    This panel discussion will look toward the future for Pediatric Long Covid research. The panel features Amy Proal from PolyBio, Megan Fitzgerald, Principal Investigator at Brain Inflammation Collaborative (BIC), contributor at Patient Led Collaborative, and member of the NIH-funded RECOVER Initiative Pediatric Coordinating Committee. Patient and caregiver voices, including Matthew Dunn and Dawna Ballard, will also contribute to the conversation, offering personal insights into the challenges and hopes for the future of pediatric care.

Thursday, September 12th

  • Event:
    Community Call to Action
  • Details:
    Join us for a day of advocacy! By engaging with representatives, we can advocate for a focus on pediatric Long Covid research. This day is dedicated to mobilizing the community, raising awareness among policymakers, and showing a need for additional funding to address this growing health issue.

Friday, September 13th

  • Event:
    Day of Reflection
  • Details: Reflect on the challenges faced by children and families with Long COVID. Let’s strengthen our supportive community by sharing stories, supporting one another, and contributing to ongoing efforts. Consider wearing your Pediatric Long Covid T-shirt and sharing your thoughts on social media. To purchase a T-shirt, visit the link below.

Get Involved

Social Media

Share the message on social media using our pre-designed posts, hashtags, and images. Help us reach a broader audience and raise awareness about Pediatric Long Covid.

Threads
Facebook

Advocacy

Use your voice to advocate for increased funding for Pediatric Long Covid research. Your support can help ensure that the needs of affected children are prioritized and that essential research receives the attention it deserves.

 

Contact Your Representatives

Support with a T-Shirt

Show your support by purchasing a Pediatric Long Covid Awareness T-shirt. Wearing it not only raises awareness but also helps fund our ongoing efforts to support affected children and their families.

Purchase

Community Stories

Personal stories from families and children who have been affected by Long COVID.
Before Long Covid, Lily was my little gymnast, always flipping around the house with boundless energy. But after she caught Covid, everything changed—she started experiencing severe fatigue and constant headaches. Now, even walking to school leaves her completely drained. It breaks my heart to see her struggle, and we're desperately searching for answers to help her get back to her old self.
LilyAge 10
Jason never missed a soccer game. But after Covid, he began suffering from chronic muscle pain and brain fog that made it hard for him to focus. Watching him struggle in school and having to quit the sport he loved has been devastating for our family. We’re sharing his story in hopes that more people will understand just how serious Long Covid can be for kids.
JasonAge 14
Ava was always so happy and full of life, but after her Covid infection, everything changed. She became anxious, started complaining of stomach pain, and became afraid of going to school. It’s been heartbreaking to see such a drastic change in our little girl. We’re advocating for better support and recognition for children with Long Covid because no family should have to go through this alone.
AvaAge 6
Ethan used to love biking around the neighborhood with his friends, but since Covid, he’s been dealing with severe dizziness and lightheadedness. Sometimes, even standing up too quickly makes him feel faint. We had no idea Long Covid could impact a child so much, and now we’re doing everything we can to raise awareness so other families don’t have to feel as lost as we did.
EthanAge 12
Sophia was looking forward to going to college. But after she got Covid, she lost her sense of smell and taste, and her ability to concentrate vanished. The constant exhaustion has made studying nearly impossible, and her grades have started to slip. We’re fighting for more research into pediatric Long Covid, hoping to find treatments that will help her reclaim her future.
SophiaAge 16
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Partner with Us

If your organization is interested in collaborating with us for Pediatric Long Covid Awareness Week 2024, we would love to hear from you. Whether you are a healthcare provider, research institution, or advocacy group, your partnership can make a significant impact on the lives of children affected by Long COVID.
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Long Covid Families is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN #87-4017934