October 20, 2026 · Together in purple

When the system fails,
we rise together.

International Mastocytosis and MCAS Awareness Day

A day to make the invisible visible. A call for research, understanding and access to care.

Write to a health minister ↗Explore the lighting plans ↓

01 / Why October 20 matters

More than awareness.
A call for care.

Every October 20, patients, advocates and allies come together to recognize International Mastocytosis and MCAS Awareness Day.

For those of us living with mast cell disease, visibility is only the beginning. We need clinicians who understand our conditions, clearer routes to diagnosis, and care we can access and afford.

My experience navigating MCAS care is part of why I advocate for change. This October, I’m inviting you to raise your voice with me.

Emily Foucault

Learn about mast cell disorders

Mastocytosis and MCAS are distinct mast cell disorders. MCAS involves episodes of mast cell mediator release that can affect multiple body systems. Mastocytosis involves an abnormal accumulation of mast cells.

Read the AAAAI overview of MCAS ↗
Explore the international awareness campaign ↗

02 / Add your voice

Better care starts
with being heard.

Ask our health ministers to support clinician education, research, diagnostic services and equitable access to care.

Choose a letter to open your email app with the recipient, subject and message filled in. Add your name and location, review the message, then send it yourself.

federal

The Honourable
Marjorie Michel

Federal Minister of Health

hcminister.ministresc@hc-sc.gc.ca

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Dear Minister Michel,

I am writing as a concerned Canadian to ask for better access to care for people living with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).

People living with MCAS need timely diagnosis, knowledgeable clinicians and affordable care. Gaps in specialist access can leave patients navigating fragmented services and considering costly care outside Canada.

Ahead of International Mastocytosis and MCAS Awareness Day on October 20, I urge your office to work with provinces, territories, professional regulators and patient partners to:

1. Support recruitment and training of clinicians with expertise in mast cell disorders.
2. Support continuing medical education on MCAS recognition, diagnosis and management.
3. Fund Canadian research into prevalence, diagnostic tools and effective treatments.
4. Support patient-informed clinical registries with appropriate privacy safeguards.
5. Improve equitable access to diagnostic services and medications through collaboration with provincial and territorial health systems.

Please share the steps your office will take to address these gaps and include people with lived experience in this work.

Sincerely,
[Full Name]
[Email Address]
[City, Province, Postal Code]

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ontario

The Honourable
Sylvia Jones

Ontario Deputy Premier and Minister of Health

sylvia.jones@ontario.ca

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Dear Minister Jones,

I am writing to express concern about gaps in care for Ontarians living with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).

Patients need timely diagnosis, knowledgeable clinicians and access to appropriate treatment. When specialist care is difficult to access, people can be left navigating fragmented services or considering costly care outside the province.

Ahead of International Mastocytosis and MCAS Awareness Day on October 20, I urge your office to:

1. Work with relevant regulators and health-system partners to recruit and support clinicians with MCAS expertise.
2. Fund continuing medical education on MCAS recognition, diagnosis and management.
3. Support evidence-based diagnostic services and research in Ontario’s public laboratories and hospitals.
4. Improve access to medically necessary testing and appropriate medications through Ontario’s public coverage programs.
5. Work with medical schools and patient partners to strengthen awareness of mast cell disorders and plan sustainable care pathways.

Please share the steps Ontario will take to improve access to care and include people with lived experience in this work.

Sincerely,
[Full Name]
[Email Address]
[City, ON, Postal Code]

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03 / Light up purple

Shining a light
across borders.

The CN Tower, Niagara Falls and Peace Bridge are confirmed to be illuminated purple on October 20, 2026, for International Mastocytosis & MCAS Awareness Day. The Peace Bridge connects communities in Canada and the United States in this international day of awareness.

Toronto, Ontario

CN Tower

Confirmed · Purple illumination
October 20, 2026
Lighting starts at sunset; fully visible about 30 minutes later.

Regular light shows: 5 minutes on the hour, plus another on the half hour. Schedule subject to change without notice.

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls

Confirmed · Purple illumination
October 20, 2026
10:00 p.m. Eastern (local time) · 15 minutes

Watch the Falls live

With thanks to The Niagara Falls Illumination Board. Illumination times are approximate and subject to change according to light conditions. If you visit in person, please follow public health guidelines.

Fort Erie, Ontario · Buffalo, New York

Peace Bridge

Confirmed · Purple illumination
October 20, 2026
From sunset to sunrise, throughout the night.

Construction may obstruct some lights. Lighting dates are not guaranteed; the Authority may cancel scheduled lighting at its discretion.

With thanks to the Buffalo & Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority.

Help bring a landmark on board ↗

04 / Connect & share

You don’t have to
do this alone.

Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, clinician or ally, your voice matters. Wear purple, share your story, or help someone discover this day.

#MCASCanada #MCASAwareness #MCASDay

Follow @emilyfoucault ↗

05 / Articles & media

Keep the conversation going.

Healthy Debate · October 2025

The MCAS care crisis: Canada can’t afford to look away

Read Emily’s article ↗Healthy Debate · Link supplied by Emily

Beyond pilot projects

Read the care pathways article ↗

For interviews, media contributions or community updates, contact Emily.

October 20 · Together in purple

For change. For care.
For compassion.

Whether you’ve just learned about MCAS or you’ve been living with it for years, you’re not alone.

Add your voice ↑

When the system fails,we rise together.

More than awareness.A call for care.

Better care startswith being heard.

The HonourableMarjorie Michel

The HonourableSylvia Jones

Shining a lightacross borders.