Vermont PANDAS & PANS Awareness 5K Run/Walk
- Date Sat 10th October 2026
- Time 10:00AM EDT
- Location Burlington, Vermont
- Price $35.45
- Races 1 race
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Join us for the Third Annual Vermont PANDAS & PANS Awareness 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, October 10, 2026, in the beautiful city of Burlington, Chittenden! This family-friendly event is not just about running or walking; it’s a vibrant community gathering aimed at raising awareness for PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections), conditions that can significantly impact children and young adults. Participants of all ages and skill levels are welcome to take part in the 5K, which promises fun for everyone, including live music from a DJ, delicious snacks, cool t-shirts, medals, and exciting prizes!
As we come together to support this important cause, your participation will help shine a light on these often-overlooked autoimmune disorders and contribute to research and education efforts. Proceeds from the event will support the Neuroimmune Psychiatric Disorder clinic at Dartmouth Hospital, helping to ensure that families in Vermont receive the care and resources they need. Don’t miss this chance to make a difference while enjoying a fantastic day outdoors! Come run or walk for a cause that matters on October
As we come together to support this important cause, your participation will help shine a light on these often-overlooked autoimmune disorders and contribute to research and education efforts. Proceeds from the event will support the Neuroimmune Psychiatric Disorder clinic at Dartmouth Hospital, helping to ensure that families in Vermont receive the care and resources they need. Don’t miss this chance to make a difference while enjoying a fantastic day outdoors! Come run or walk for a cause that matters on October
Organiser's Description
WELCOME TO THE THIRD ANNUAL PANS/PANDAS AWARENESS EVENT IN VERMONT! Join us for a 5K fun run and walk along in Burlington on October 11, 2025 to raise awareness for PANS/PANDAS [https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/pandas] here in Vermontan often-overlooked autoimmune disorder affecting children and young adults. Were calling on our citizens of Vermont to join us in raising awareness and moving towards change and healing.
DESCRIPTION
This is a family-friendly run/walk in Burlington. Everyone is welcome: from regular runners ready to race to walkers looking for some good community fun. We'll have a DJ, snacks, cool t-shirts, medals, prizes, and some resources and experts to help us learn about this important condition facing our kids.
We are again partnering with The Alex Manfull Fund (TAMF) [https://thealexmanfullfund.org/], a New Hampshire-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, that supports awareness, education, and research to further understand the incidence, etiology, and best treatment of post-infectious neuroimmune disorders (aka PANDAS, PANS, and Autoimmune Encephalitis) with an emphasis on their manifestation in Adolescents and Young Adults. TAMF has established a fellowship fund at Dartmouth Hospitals Neuroimmune Psychiatric Disorder (NIPD) clinic. Net proceeds from our event will be given to NIPD in support of their clinic.
WHAT ARE PANS AND PANDAS?
PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections) occur when a childs immune response to an infection causes inflammation in the brain. The inflammation can cause the sudden onset of behavioral, neurological, and personality changes. The effects of PANS/PANDAS on children and their families are devastatingyet these conditions are still relatively unknown in Vermont, making diagnosis and treatment extremely difficult. Learn more [https://thealexmanfullfund.org/what-is-pandas-pans/] about this condition and its symptoms.
_A NOTE FROM GASKELL FAMILY_
Welcome to the PANDAS/PANS 5K! We are a family of 5 living in Burlington looking to transform the hardship of our own PANDAS journey into a beacon of hope and progress for others.
In September 2022, at age 8, our son experienced a sudden, acute onset of extreme neuropsychiatric symptoms. As his parents, we sought help from doctors, psychiatrists, and local resources but to no avail; his condition continued to spiral. Thanks to one of our son's former teachers, who witnessed our struggle and had read about PANDAS on Facebook, we got a first glimpse of what could be happening. In June 2023, a clinic at Dartmouth Hospital diagnosed our son with PANDAS. Since then, treatment and recovery have been long and arduous, however finallynow almost two years laterhis condition has improved significantly. With a bit of blue sky returning for our family, weve emerged with a clear mission: to help others living with this devastating condition.
DESCRIPTION
This is a family-friendly run/walk in Burlington. Everyone is welcome: from regular runners ready to race to walkers looking for some good community fun. We'll have a DJ, snacks, cool t-shirts, medals, prizes, and some resources and experts to help us learn about this important condition facing our kids.
We are again partnering with The Alex Manfull Fund (TAMF) [https://thealexmanfullfund.org/], a New Hampshire-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, that supports awareness, education, and research to further understand the incidence, etiology, and best treatment of post-infectious neuroimmune disorders (aka PANDAS, PANS, and Autoimmune Encephalitis) with an emphasis on their manifestation in Adolescents and Young Adults. TAMF has established a fellowship fund at Dartmouth Hospitals Neuroimmune Psychiatric Disorder (NIPD) clinic. Net proceeds from our event will be given to NIPD in support of their clinic.
WHAT ARE PANS AND PANDAS?
PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections) occur when a childs immune response to an infection causes inflammation in the brain. The inflammation can cause the sudden onset of behavioral, neurological, and personality changes. The effects of PANS/PANDAS on children and their families are devastatingyet these conditions are still relatively unknown in Vermont, making diagnosis and treatment extremely difficult. Learn more [https://thealexmanfullfund.org/what-is-pandas-pans/] about this condition and its symptoms.
_A NOTE FROM GASKELL FAMILY_
Welcome to the PANDAS/PANS 5K! We are a family of 5 living in Burlington looking to transform the hardship of our own PANDAS journey into a beacon of hope and progress for others.
In September 2022, at age 8, our son experienced a sudden, acute onset of extreme neuropsychiatric symptoms. As his parents, we sought help from doctors, psychiatrists, and local resources but to no avail; his condition continued to spiral. Thanks to one of our son's former teachers, who witnessed our struggle and had read about PANDAS on Facebook, we got a first glimpse of what could be happening. In June 2023, a clinic at Dartmouth Hospital diagnosed our son with PANDAS. Since then, treatment and recovery have been long and arduous, however finallynow almost two years laterhis condition has improved significantly. With a bit of blue sky returning for our family, weve emerged with a clear mission: to help others living with this devastating condition.
Races
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3rd Annual Vermont PANS/PANDAS 5K Run/Walk
Incl. $2.95 Fee & Event T-Shirt
Sat 10th October 2026 (10:00AM EDT)
$35.45
This will be a chip timed event.
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Burlington Surf Club, 50 Lakeside Ave, Burlington, 05401, VT, United States
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Vermont PANDAS & PANS Awareness 5K Run/Walk
