Good Days, the nation’s leading patient assistance and advocacy nonprofit, proudly founded and leads the observance of Chronic Disease Day, a national awareness effort recognized annually on July 10 to highlight the urgent need for stronger prevention and better care for the millions of Americans living with chronic and rare illnesses.

“This national initiative, symbolically held on 7/10 to reflect that seven of the top ten causes of death annually in the U.S. are from chronic illnesses, reinforces our call to action,” said Clorinda Walley, president of Good Days. “With 90 percent of the nation’s healthcare spending driven by preventable chronic conditions, we must prioritize prevention and ensure access to care for those living with unpreventable diseases.” 

“Chronic illness remains the leading health crisis for adults aged 35 to 64. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of families face rare diseases that aren’t preventable. Yet they struggle to afford life-saving treatments. We cannot leave them behind. Chronic Disease Day serves to reduce preventable suffering, support better disease management, and drive long-term improvements in access to care,” added Walley. 

This year, state and local governments across the nation have issued official proclamations in honor of Chronic Disease Day. Tonight, dozens of iconic landmarks across the country—from Niagara Falls to the Aloha Tower—will illuminate in orange, the official color of the campaign, to raise public awareness. Across social media, individuals will show their support using the hashtag #ChronicDiseaseDay and #IStayStrong.

The official campaign website, ChronicDiseaseDay.org, offers a range of free self-care resources developed in collaboration with the Healing Works Foundation. These include tools for goal setting, nutrition and improving quality of life for those living with chronic illness.