145 landmarks across Australia and New Zealand light up for National Eosinophilic Week
National Eosinophilic Week (NEOSW), held from 2–8 August 2026, will feature the #EOSLightUp campaign, with a total of 145 landmarks across Australia and New Zealand illuminating pink and purple to help raise awareness of eosinophil-associated diseases (EADs).
The annual awareness campaign is coordinated by ausEE Inc., Australia’s national support and patient advocacy organisation for people affected by EADs.
Pink and purple are the colours used to represent eosinophils, a type of white blood cell involved in certain immune responses. When too many eosinophils build up in parts of the body, they can cause inflammation and tissue damage. This may indicate an eosinophil-associated disease (EAD). There are different types of EADs, and diagnosis usually depends on where in the body the eosinophils are found and what symptoms a person has.
EADs can significantly impact quality of life and often require ongoing monitoring and long-term management.
“For many people living with an eosinophil-associated disease, the journey to diagnosis can take years, and even after diagnosis, many people still feel isolated because these conditions are not well understood,” says Sarah Gray, CEO and Founder of ausEE Inc.
“National Eosinophilic Week is about improving understanding of EADs through awareness, evidence-based education and research. Every donation helps support medical research that aims to improve our understanding of these conditions and inform future advances in diagnosis and treatment.”
Throughout the awareness week, ausEE will share a free Virtual Education Program featuring daily video presentations from Australian and international healthcare specialists and researchers.
The week will conclude with ausEE’s annual Top 8 Challenge on Saturday, 8 August. The community is invited to take part by removing the top eight allergenic foods: milk, wheat, egg, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish, from their diet for one day while raising funds for medical research. The challenge aims to raise awareness of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), one of the more common eosinophil-associated diseases, and the dietary restrictions that some people with EoE may experience as part of their disease management.
“We’re incredibly grateful to every landmark, council and organisation taking part in #EOSLightUp,” Sarah says. “Their support is helping raise awareness of EADs across Australia and New Zealand and reminding people living with these conditions that they are not alone.”
The community is encouraged to visit a participating landmark, share photos on social media using #EOSLightUp and #NEOSW2026, explore the free Virtual Education Program, take part in the Top 8 Challenge, or donate to support medical research into EADs.
The full list of participating light-up landmarks is available at https://eosaware.com/LightUpLandmarks.
To learn more about National Eosinophilic Week, access free educational resources or take part in the Top 8 Challenge, visit https://eosaware.com.
About ausEE Inc. ausEE Inc. is the national support and patient advocacy organisation representing Australians affected by an eosinophil-associated disease (EAD). We are a registered Australian charity founded in 2009. Our mission is to improve the lives of those affected by eosinophilic diseases by providing support, evidence-based information, resources and advocacy, and by campaigning to raise awareness and funds for research in Australia. We extend our support and advocacy to people in New Zealand and their whānau.
ausEE’s Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ausEEInc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausee_inc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausee-inc
About ausEE Inc.
ausEE Inc. is a national health promotion charity founded in 2009. Its mission is to improve the lives of those affected by eosinophilic diseases through providing support, evidence-based information, resources, advocacy and by campaigning to raise awareness and funds for research in Australia. One treatment option of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), an eosinophilic disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract, is an elemental diet which consists of a special medical food called an elemental/amino acid-based formula. It provides all the nutrition a person needs if enough is taken. Some individuals need a feeding tube to ensure they are getting enough of the formula or to give the oesophagus a rest.
