National Pandas/Pans Youth Alliance

05/31/2026

Myth or Fact: PANS/PANDAS aren’t real conditions…

(Spoiler: It’s a myth 🤭)

PANS/PANDAS are often misunderstood, and misinformation can make it even harder for patients and families to get the support they need.

A HUGE thank you to survivor Caroline (.panspandas ) for creating this awesome post!

Which myth or fact surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️

05/16/2026

Super cool! Thank you, The Alex Manfull Fund.

IntroductionPediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) is characterized by the abrupt onset of obsessiv...

05/15/2026

Listen up! We challenge YOU to the PANDAS/PANS awareness challenge! The rules are simple…

*Set a timer for 30 seconds
* Close your eyes
* Draw a panda bear with your non-dominant hand
* Post it, tag NPYA + your favorite awareness organizations, and use
* Then tag 3 friends to join in on the fun!

The best AND worst panda drawings win NPYA swag! 🥳

But in all seriousness, this silly challenge is meant to mimic just a small glimpse of what it can REALLY feel like to live with PANS/PANDAS. Many kids and adults with PANS/PANDAS struggle with handwriting, motor skills, concentration, and other neurological symptoms that can make everyday tasks frustrating and exhausting.

When you participate, you’re helping spread awareness, spark conversations, and remind families impacted by PANS/PANDAS that they are not alone. 💚

Challenge ends June 31st! But awareness always continues on.

04/18/2026

Meet Gabby! 🌟

Gabby is a passionate 20-year-old college student pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse practitioner with a focus in psychiatry and integrative medicine.

After living with PANS for the past 8 years, she’s learned that tomorrow is never guaranteed. But instead of holding her back, it’s made her more resilient, adaptable, and driven.

We’re so excited to have Gabby as part of NPYA! Her voice, insight, and passion for helping others are already making an impact. 💚 She even made this post!

Want to hear more of Gabby’s story? Tap the link in our bio to read her full interview. 🗣️🔗

04/16/2026

Woooo!

04/15/2026

DC is going to be amazing! We’re so excited.

🔗 Click here to register for Capitol Hill Advocacy Days! : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpcTIbl1fIPmRInfzHbk1-5sIPJuzHakBMEAGhjqw-EVlWpg/viewform?usp=publish-editor

💚 Click here to register for the Going the Distance Dinner and 5k! : https://givebutter.com/c/36-hours-pans-pandas-advocacy-in-motion-ukhmqg

Great to meet with Amanda Peel Crowley, Lord, and William Townsend Manfull about Advocacy on the Hill—giving patients and families the opportunity to meet with Congressional offices on Capitol Hill on June 11th and 12th to advocate for urgently needed PANS/PANDAS research funding.

The Alex Manfull Fund, the National Pandas/Pans Youth Alliance, and the NAPPA - National Alliance for PANS / Pandas Action are each collaborating on events that together create a unified effort to raise awareness, build connection, and advocate for change.

Caregivers, patients, and families are all encouraged to attend. Now is the time to be heard.

During 36 Hours,there are several meaningful opportunities to connect, raise awareness, and stand together as a community:

• Advocacy Days (June 11–12) – Meet directly with Congressional offices and share your story

• Going the Distance Dinner (June 12) – An evening of connection and purpose hosted by The Alex Manfull Fund

• Going the Distance 5K (June 13) – Walk or run in solidarity with families impacted by PANS/PANDAS

• National Zoo Community – Join us for a fun, family-friendly gathering… and visit the PANDAS 🐼

Whether you can join us for one event or the full experience, your presence matters. Together, we can raise awareness, build community, and advocate for the research and resources families urgently need.

ALL registration/sign-ups will be available soon!







Daniela Sosa-Sarkar Kayla Caulfield Shari Strulson Paul J. Murphy

04/07/2026

As youth advocates, our members are at the center of everything we do. Their lived experiences continue to shape how we understand and speak about PANS and PANDAS.

We are grateful to stand alongside other leading organizations in issuing this joint statement and working together to advance accurate representation of this community. 💚

While true prevalence remains unknown, we do not support labeling these conditions as rare without reliable population data. What we do know is that PANS and PANDAS are significantly underrecognized, and the voices of young people and families consistently reflect delays in diagnosis and access to care.

Our responsibility is to ensure their realities are accurately represented. Until better data exists, underdiagnosis, not rarity, must shape how we approach awareness, care, and policy.

We remain committed to amplifying youth voices and addressing gaps in clinical education, tracking, and research to more accurately determine prevalence.

Thank you all for joining us in this fight!