Fun Event Planned To Bring Awareness To Often Unheard Of Illness

This Friday is designated PANDAS Awareness Day in Pennsylvania.

The day is aimed at drawing attention to PANDAS, which are pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections.

Locally, a fundraising and awareness event will be held Friday, October 9 at Bouncing Off The Walls at 8919 New Falls Road in Levittown. Click here for more information on the event.

With the help of Bristol T0wnship-based State Rep. Tina Davis (D-141), PANDAS Awareness Day was designated last year after Nicole Harper from Levittown contacted the lawmaker.

Harper, whose son Tyler suffers from a PANDAS-related illness, wanted to raise awareness about the little known medical condition. Until 1998, PANDAS was not even diagnosed by doctors.

According to National Institute of Mental Health PANDAS afflicts children who have a diagnosis of  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and/or Tic Disorder and and the strep throat infection amplifies the symptoms of those mental health challenges taking what is already a complicated health issue to another level intensity.

Harper has remained involved in bringing awareness to PANDAS since Davis’ resolution was pasted last year.