San Antonio Landmarks Light Up Blue for Autoimmune Awareness Month

San Antonio’s skyline is bathed in blue light this week as landmarks participate in a nationwide effort to raise awareness for Autoimmune Awareness Month.

The Alamodome, Gonzalez Convention Center, Tower of the Americas, and Marriott Rivercenter hotel are illuminated nightly in blue through Thursday, according to city officials and reports from local news outlets. The initiative aims to highlight the impact of autoimmune diseases, which affect more than 50 million Americans, as recognized by the Autoimmune Association.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, according to Rheumatology Associates of Greater Houston. These conditions encompass a wide range of illnesses, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and can manifest in diverse symptoms affecting various organs and systems – from blood and the brain to muscles and skin.

The lighting display is a collaborative effort between the City of San Antonio and ICI City Smart Lights, a San Antonio-based company. “By illuminating these landmarks, we are helping bring visibility to conditions that often go unseen,” said Eduardo Orozco Jr., Director of Operations at ICI City Smart Lights, in a released statement.

Erika Reyna, a San Antonio resident, recently received a proclamation from the City of San Antonio officially recognizing March as Autoimmune Awareness Month. Reyna shared on LinkedIn that she has been working on this recognition for several months, motivated by her personal experiences with autoimmune disease and a desire to help others receive earlier diagnoses.

The Autoimmune Association is actively promoting Autoimmune Awareness Month with a global awareness map and calls for donations to support research and advocacy efforts. The organization serves millions affected by these conditions and their families.