The Neuropathy Association joins with the Empire State Building to recognize National Neuropathy Week

Neuropathy Association Marks the Week and 15 Years of Service with Lighting to Raise Awareness of Chronic Neurological Disease Affecting 20 Million Americans

For National Neuropathy Week, May 17-21, The Neuropathy Association will join with the Empire State Building to raise neuropathy awareness, recognize National Neuropathy Week, and commemorate the Association's 15th Anniversary.  On Thursday, May 20, the Empire State Building will light up purple and gold to shine a light on peripheral neuropathy as a national epidemic impacting over 20 million Americans.  

May 17-21 is the sixth annual National Neuropathy Week, an event launched by The Neuropathy Association to raise awareness about neuropathy and its warning signs. As the leading national non-profit organization representing peripheral neuropathy patients and those caring for them, The Neuropathy Association's mission is to increase public awareness of neuropathy and the need for early intervention and more research.  The Empire State Building lighting is part of the Association's week-long activities to observe National Neuropathy Week and underscore the significant toll this often painful and potentially debilitating disease is taking on American's health and quality of life.

"With 1 in 15 Americans affected, neuropathy is an under-recognized national epidemic, and the neuropathy community can no longer be denied the attention and support it deserves.  It is time we all stepped up to end that suffering," said Tina Tockarshewsky, president and CEO of The Neuropathy Association.  

Tockarshewsky added, "We are so proud that the Empire State Building has chosen to partner with us to illuminate our hopes for better treatments and cures for neuropathy and to recognize our fifteen years of helping New Yorkers and the general public. The lighting also honors the millions of people living every day with peripheral neuropathy and the members and supporters who make the work of The Neuropathy Association possible."  

"While early intervention and treatment can be critical to slowing the disease's progression, our biggest challenge is many Americans still do not know about neuropathy, are unaware they have it, and do not recognize warning signs, which can include weakness, numbness, tingling and pain, especially in the hands and feet.  If ignored, these symptoms can lead to persistent weakness, loss of sensation or unremitting pain," noted Dr. Thomas H. Brannagan, III, medical advisor for The Neuropathy Association.