Vermont PANDAS & PANS Awareness 5K Run/Walk
- Date Sat 11th October 2025
- Time 10:00AM EST
- Location Burlington, Vermont
- Price $27.50
- Races 1 race
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Join us for the inaugural Vermont PANDAS & PANS Awareness 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, October 11, 2025, in the beautiful city of Burlington, Chittenden! This uplifting event aims to raise awareness about PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections), conditions that affect 1 in 200 children. The family-friendly 5K will take place along Burlington's scenic Bike Path, making it a great opportunity for both seasoned runners looking to set a personal best and walkers who want to enjoy a day of community spirit and fun.
Participants can look forward to an exciting atmosphere featuring a DJ, snacks, and cool medals for the kids, all while supporting a crucial cause. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Neuroimmune Psychiatric Disorder clinic at Dartmouth Hospital, helping to further research and treatment for these often-overlooked conditions. Come together with fellow Vermonters to make a difference and spread awareness – your participation can help pave the way for change and healing in our community!
Participants can look forward to an exciting atmosphere featuring a DJ, snacks, and cool medals for the kids, all while supporting a crucial cause. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Neuroimmune Psychiatric Disorder clinic at Dartmouth Hospital, helping to further research and treatment for these often-overlooked conditions. Come together with fellow Vermonters to make a difference and spread awareness – your participation can help pave the way for change and healing in our community!
Organiser's Description
WELCOME TO THE FIRST-EVER PANS/PANDAS AWARENESS EVENT IN VERMONT! Join us for a 5K fun run and walk along in Burlington on October 12, 2024 to raise awareness for PANS/PANDAS [https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/pandas] here in Vermontan often-overlooked autoimmune disorder said to affect 1 in 200 children. Were calling on our amazing citizens of Vermont to join us in raising awareness and making the first steps towards change and healing.
UPDATE: WE'RE OUT OF T-SHIRTS (ROOKIE MISTAKE, THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING, WE'RE LEARNING). WE'VE LOWERED THE REGISTRATION FEE. SEE YOU ON SATURDAY!
DESCRIPTION
This is a family-friendly run/walk starting at the Burlington Surf Club, going along Burlington's Bike Path. Everyone is welcome: from regular runners ready to race (the flat course is a great opportunity to get a new PR/personal best!) to walkers looking for some good community fun. We'll have a DJ, snacks, cool t-shirts, medals for the kids, and some special guests to help us learn about this important condition facing our kids.
We are partnering with The Alex Manfull Fund [https://thealexmanfullfund.org/], a New Hampshire-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, for our inaugural 5K event. The Alex Manfull Fund (TAMF) 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_
As a family of 5 living in Burlington, Vermont, weve endured the hardships of PANDAS and are rising up from its ashes to bring awareness. 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.
UPDATE: WE'RE OUT OF T-SHIRTS (ROOKIE MISTAKE, THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING, WE'RE LEARNING). WE'VE LOWERED THE REGISTRATION FEE. SEE YOU ON SATURDAY!
DESCRIPTION
This is a family-friendly run/walk starting at the Burlington Surf Club, going along Burlington's Bike Path. Everyone is welcome: from regular runners ready to race (the flat course is a great opportunity to get a new PR/personal best!) to walkers looking for some good community fun. We'll have a DJ, snacks, cool t-shirts, medals for the kids, and some special guests to help us learn about this important condition facing our kids.
We are partnering with The Alex Manfull Fund [https://thealexmanfullfund.org/], a New Hampshire-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, for our inaugural 5K event. The Alex Manfull Fund (TAMF) 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_
As a family of 5 living in Burlington, Vermont, weve endured the hardships of PANDAS and are rising up from its ashes to bring awareness. 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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Vermont PANS/PANDAS 5K Run/Walk
Incl. $2.50 Fee & Event T-Shirt
Sat 11th October 2025 (10:00AM EDT)
$27.50
OPENS AUG 25This will be a chip timed event.
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