October 20, 2026 · Together in purple

When the system fails,
we rise together.

International Mastocytosis and MCAS Awareness Day

The lights are off, but the work continues. Keep calling for research, understanding and access to care.

Write to a health minister ↗See the 2026 highlights ↓

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. Awareness Day has passed, but the letters remain open and I'm inviting you to keep raising 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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Letter text — edit before opening your email

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.

Building on the visibility created by 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.

Building on the visibility created by 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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Email links depend on your device’s email setup; if the full message does not appear, use “Copy letter.” Editing here stays in this page and is not submitted or saved.

03 / 2026 highlights

Purple lights
crossed borders.

The CN Tower, Niagara Falls and Peace Bridge illuminated purple on October 20, 2026, for International Mastocytosis & MCAS Awareness Day. The Peace Bridge connected communities in Canada and the United States in this shared call for awareness.

Toronto, Ontario

CN Tower

Illuminated purple
October 20, 2026

One of three landmarks that helped bring visibility to MCAS across Canada and the United States.

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls

Illuminated purple
October 20, 2026

With thanks to The Niagara Falls Illumination Board for helping make MCAS visible.

Fort Erie, Ontario · Buffalo, New York

Peace Bridge

Illuminated purple
October 20, 2026

With thanks to the Buffalo & Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority for carrying the message across borders.

Sir Douglas in front of the Toronto skyline with the CN Tower illuminated purple for MCAS awareness — Sir Douglas with the CN Tower illuminated purple on October 20, 2026.

The light travelled

Three landmarks. Two countries. One call for better care.

The campaign was also recognized and shared by participating landmarks and community supporters, helping more people encounter the call for clinician education, research and equitable access to care.

Help bring a landmark on board for 2027 ↗

04 / Keep involved

You don't have to wait
until next October.

Whether you are a patient, caregiver, clinician or ally, your voice matters throughout the year. You can write to a health minister today and help shape what comes next.

#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

Purple lightscrossed borders.

CN Tower

Niagara Falls

Peace Bridge

Three landmarks. Two countries. One call for better care.

You don't have to waituntil next October.

Keep the conversation going.

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

Beyond pilot projects

For change. For care.For compassion.

When the system fails,
we rise together.

More than awareness.
A call for care.

Better care starts
with being heard.

The Honourable
Marjorie Michel

The Honourable
Sylvia Jones

Purple lights
crossed borders.

You don't have to wait
until next October.

For change. For care.
For compassion.