Lethbridge City Hall will be lit up in red for International FASD Awareness Day on September 9, 2023. (File photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge to light up red for FASD Awareness Month

Sep 6, 2023 | 3:59 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge is set to be lit up in red this week as part of a national campaign raising awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

FASD is a disability that impacts the brain and body of individuals who were exposed to alcohol during fetal development. September 1, 2023 marked the start of FASD Awareness Month.

As part of the initiative, landmarks across the country, including Lethbridge City Hall, will be lit up red for International FASD Awareness Day on September 9, as well as throughout the rest of the month.

The South Alberta FASD Network explained that red became a symbol for FASD after RJ Formanek, an advocate, wore red shoes to talk about the disability on the international stage. From that, the Red Shoes Rock initiative was born, with red shoes symbolizing the strength of those impacted by FASD.

The theme for this year’s awareness month is ‘Uniting Our Strengths: Finding Solutions Together’.

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The campaign this month aims to shine a light on the disability and promote action to address it.

Representatives from the South Alberta FASD Network will be visiting businesses across the region that sell liquor, from Crowsnest Pass to Taber and south to the United States border, to raise awareness. Additionally, decals and coasters will be used in partnering restaurants during the awareness month.

The network said that lawn signs will be on display around the region with messaging focused on the prevention of FASD, along with billboards and signage on Lethbridge Transit buses.

Executive director of the Canada FASD Research Network, Audrey McFarlane said, “FASD is a Canada-wide concern, so we’re excited to see participation in this event from landmarks all across the country.”

McFarlane added, “We hope this movement can shine the light on this disorder that is often ignored and overlooked in Canada.”

The South Alberta FASD Network will also participate in the Word On The Street Festival, hosted by the Lethbridge Public Library on September 23.

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by Justin Goulet

Lethbridge to light up red for FASD Awareness Month

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