Sunflower Day is 23 March 2026 - Help Raise Awareness for Scleroderma in Australia
Why We’re Lighting Up:
Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease affecting over 6,000 Australians – and many more go undiagnosed. On Sunflower Day – 23 March 2026, we’re lighting up landmarks across the country to bring visibility, connection, and care to those impacted.
When you support Sunflower Day, you’re helping fund scleroderma specialist nurses – often the first lifeline for patients navigating diagnosis, treatment, and daily life with this chronic illness.
Date: Sunday 23rd March 2026
Type: National Awareness Campaign – Lighting of landmarks, fundraising, digital campaigns – wear YELLOW!
Locations: Over 60 participating councils and landmarks across Australia
📍 Find your local event or light-up site → scroll to the bottom of this page, locate your state, and find an iconic location near you and see it lit up for #SunflowerDay2026 in support of scleroderma awareness. If you can’t find one in your area, please get in touch and suggest one!
💛 Want to get involved? Email shine@sclerodermaaustralia.com.au
Want to know other ways in which you could help?
Check our Facebook page and Instagram for updates or changes.
Help us fund specialist nurses who provide vital support to scleroderma patients. Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference.
Want your building lit up? We can help.
📩 Contact us to request a light-up location
Get the facts
Scleroderma is an autoimmune condition that causes hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. It can impact the lungs, kidneys, digestive system and other organs. Early diagnosis and care from a specialist nurse can drastically improve quality of life.
People with rare diseases like scleroderma face unique challenges. They may struggle to get an accurate diagnosis and access to effective treatments, and in the case of scleroderma, people may have never heard of the condition before they’re diagnosed with it.
There’s not as much support out there for people with rare diseases compared to more common conditions. This can leave people with rare diseases feeling helpless, anxious and alone.
Many GPs don’t know much about scleroderma, which can lead to further feelings of isolation and hopelessness. This lack of knowledge can also impede treatment, leading to increased pain and discomfort.
To help combat this lack of knowledge and support, Scleroderma Australia is hoping to raise essential funds dedicated to scleroderma specialist nurses who will help support and advise people living with scleroderma in Australia.
Scleroderma specialist nurses provide information, referrals, and clinical assistance, including wound management and advice on dressings. Specialist wound care skills are a crucial part of the clinical role and include debridement and infection management – a specialism that is increasingly difficult to access in the community.
Our scleroderma specialist nurses are available via phone and video call so people with scleroderma can call for advice and guidance on topics like wound care, diet, vaccination, chronic illness, disability, and navigating Australia’s health system.
Tara’s journey with scleroderma started when she began experiencing sore fingers while playing the clarinet, followed by foot pain. Despite being initially chalked up to post-illness fatigue, her condition didn’t improve, and she was subsequently diagnosed with scleroderma.
Living with scleroderma drastically affected Tara’s life. Simple everyday tasks became a challenge due to pain from standing for more than 10 minutes and contractures in her hand joints. To manage her energy levels, she had to carefully pace her tasks and rest after physically demanding activities.
Sadly, due to ulcerations on her arms, she had to stop working clinically and later teaching, eventually relying on a disability pension. Despite these hardships, Tara found a way to give back through volunteer work with Scleroderma Queensland and Scleroderma Australia.
The unpredictability of each day was the most challenging aspect of living with scleroderma for Tara. The pain and energy levels varied from day to day, and despite losing two fingers to the disease, she often found herself having to justify her disability access. Tara missed playing music, and while she was suggested to try different instruments, she remained steadfast in her identity as a reed player.
As a nurse herself, Tara emphasised the necessity of specialist scleroderma nurses. She felt that while she could navigate the system, many others might struggle. She believed this role could offer valuable support for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers, providing information, advice, and advocacy about their care.
Want to help raise awareness in your workplace or community?
Download posters, social media graphics, and email signatures here:
Show your support with a free sticker mailed to your door.
Coffs Harbour – Big Banana – 26th March
Maitland City Council – Morpeth Bridge lighting – 23rd March
Newcastle – City Hall Clock Tower – 19th March
Northern Beaches Council – Manly Town Hall – 23rd March
Parkes Shire Council – Memorial Hill Monument – 18th – 25th March
WestConnex – M4 M8 Link Tunnels – 23rd March
WestConnex – M4 M8 Linx Roselle Interchange – 23rd March
WestConnex – M4 Motorway – 23rd March
WestConnex – M5 East – 23rd March
WestConnex – M8 Motorway – 23rd March
Darwin City Council – Civic Centre – 23rd March
Palmerston Frances Drive RSL Light pole – 20th – 24th March
Palmerston Water Tower – 20th – 24th March
Palmerston Recreation Centre – 20th – 24th March
Palmerston Memorial Park – 20th – 24th March
City of Perth – Trafalgar Bridge over Claisebrook Cove, between Henry Lawson Walk and Victoria
Gardens – 23rd March
Mandurah Bridge Lights – 23rd March
Perth – Bell Tower – 19th – 24th March
Perth – Matagarup Bridge – 23rd March
Perth – Mount Street Pedestrian Bridge – 23rd March
Perth – Sky Ribbon – 23rd March
Perth – Northbridge Tunnel – 23rd March
Fremantle Prison – 23rd March
Perth – Royal Perth Hospital Helipad – 23rd March
Bunbury – Guppy Park – 23rd March
Bunbury – Historic Arrol Crane at Jetty Road – 23rd March
Bunbury – Koombana Bay Footbridge – 23rd March
Bunbury – Koombana Bay Foreshore Bunbury – 23rd March
Bunbury – Marlston Hill Lookout – 23rd March
Bunbury – Marlston Waterfront – 23rd March
Bunbury – Navigators at the Koombana Drive Roundabout – 23rd March
Bunbury – Richmond Reserve – 23rd March
City of Perth – Council House – 23rd March
Kalgoorlie – The Eastern Goldfields Community Centre – 23rd March
Kalgoorlie – William Grundt Memorial Library – 23rd March
Shire of Murray – Pinjarra Suspension bridge – 23rd March
Shire of Northam – Northam Suspension Bridge- 23rd March
City of Rockingham – Foreshore – 23rd March
Canberra – Malcolm Fraser Bridge – 23rd March
Canberra Times Fountain – 23rd March
National Museum of Australia – 23rd March
Parkes – The National Carillon – 23rd March
Parkes – Old Parliament House – 23rd March
Parkes – John Gorton Building- 23rd March
Parkes – Treasury Building- 23rd March
Royal Australia Mint – 23rd March
Brisbane – Sir Leo Hielsche Bridges (Gateway Bridges) 23rd March
Brisbane – City Town Hall – 23rd March
Brisbane – King George Square – 23rd March
Brisbane – Donna Marcus Steam 2006 – 23rd March
Brisbane – Kangaroo Point – 23rd March
Brisbane – Kurilpa Bridge – 23rd March
Brisbane – Reddacliff Place Sculptures – 23rd March
Brisbane – Story Bridge – 23rd March
Brisbane – Victoria Bridge – 23rd March
Bundaberg Rum Distillery – 23rd March
Cairns Courthouse Gallery – 23rd March
Ipswich – 1 Nicholas Street Facade – 19th – 24th March
Ipswich – Civic Centre – 19th – 21st March
Mackay – Sir Albert Abbott Administration Building – 19th – 24th March
Moreton Bay Regional Council – Caboolture Administration Building – 23rd March
Moreton Bay Regional Council – Humpybong Creek Fountain – 23rd March
Moreton Bay Regional Council – Redcliffe Administration Building – 23rd March
Moreton Bay Regional Council – Scarborough seat – 23rd March
South Burnett Regional Council – 23rd March
Suncorp Stadium- 23rd March
The Gabba – 23rd March
Toowoomba Annex (rear of City Hall only) – 23rd March
Toowoomba Victoria Street Bridge (Russell Street to Ruthven Street) – 23rd March
Bendigo – Conservatory in Rosalind Park-
Bendigo – Sidney Myer Place (large tree) – 23rd March
Geelong – Catenary Lights – 23rd March
Kingston City Council – 23rd March
Melbourne Town Hall – 23rd March
Melbourne – Bolte Bridge – 23rd March
Melbourne – CityLink Soundtube – 23rd March
Monash City Council – Civic Centre Glen Waverley – 23rd March
Mildura City Council – 23rd March
Shepparton – Monash Park – 23rd March
Shepparton – Mooroopna Water Tower – 23rd March
Shepparton – Victoria Parks Lake – 23rd March
White Horse City Council – Box Hill Town Hall – 23rd March
Burnie City Council Offices- 23rd March
Devenport – Paranaple Convention Centre – 19th – 24th March
Hobart – Cardinal Lights – Mawson Place – 19th – 24th March
Hobart – Doone Kennedy Aquatic Centre – 19th – 24th March
Hobart – Elizabeth Mall – 19th – 24th March
Hobart – Franklin Square Fountain- 19th – 24th March
Hobart – Kennedy Lane – 19th – 24th March
Hobart – Rose Garden Bridge – 19th – 24th March
Launceston Town Hall – 19th – 24th March
Adelaide Riverbank Footbridge – 23rd March
Adelaide Town Hall – 23rd March
Copper Coast Council – Kadina Town Hall – 23rd March
City of Victor Harbor – Elemental in Ocean Street – 23rd March
City of Holdfast Bay – Michael Herbert Bridge (across the Patawalonga River) – 23rd March
Unley Town Hall – 23rd March
