Greater Shepparton City Council will join the fight to raise awareness of Fragile X syndrome by lighting the Mooroopna Water Tower, the Monash Park tree and the Welsford St Offices orange in the National Light Up for Fragile X on Wednesday 22 July.
Fragile X syndrome is a genetic condition, which is the leading cause of inherited intellectual disability and a single-gene cause of autism.
The condition affects thousands of families across Australia, but is still often misdiagnosed and misunderstood.
By joining the National Light Up for Fragile X, Council is recognising this disability, and attempting to raise public awareness.
Outside of Greater Shepparton, the campaign will see major buildings, bridges and stadiums lit up orange in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney in support of the Fragile X community across Australia.
The National Light Up is organised by the Fragile X Association of Australia. The Association is a small registered charity providing counselling support, referrals, advocacy, education and information to people affected by Fragile X and their families and carers.
The main aims of the annual National Light Up are to:
- Shine a light on and raise public awareness of Fragile X syndrome
- To recognise and acknowledge the families across Australia living with Fragile X and disability
"Council is proud to be joining the fight to raise awareness of Fragile X syndrome," Mayor Cr Seema Abdullah said.
"More awareness is needed around this disability, which affects thousands of Australian families. Keep an eye out for our Council buildings and trees that will be lit up in orange on 22 July, and please take the time to do some research on Fragile X."
