September 25th, 2022 Announcement:
In 2012, I decided I wanted to do something to bring awareness to Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Ten years later, WE made a difference! Every October 7th will be International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day!
As much as I would love to continue with the Light Up Teal Campaign, I can not but that does not mean the end of light up teal.
We are having our 10th International TN Awareness Day this October 7th!
I just can't spend the time to do it on the TNnME website.
At this time in my life, I have more responsibility to my Mother.
Everyone knows that I have to be organized and balanced in my life.
What is next with TNnME TN Awareness? I want to get Trigeminal Neuralgia and Facial Pain Disorders on Television!
There are so many of YOU, that I want to THANK you for being my Friend, Supporter, Mentor, TN Sisters, TN Brothers, and Family.
Just know for sure that I am not saying goodbye. I am saying I need some time.
Thank you for the ten years of new friends
Ten years of laughter and tears
Ten years of learning from you
Ten years of TN Awareness
Ten years to turn the World Teal
Ten years reaching beyond our borders
Ten years to light up teal
Ten years of raising our voices
Ten years of asking for help from the World Health Organization
Ten years of sharing our stories
Ten years for our International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day
It is not the end of TNnME or the end of TN Awareness.
Ten years.....so what is next? TN and Facial Pain Disorders on Television and Media Outlets.
But I need to find the time.
I need to find a balance between my new responsibilities.
So it does not feel so overwhelming.
Thank you for the best Ten Years of my life and I look forward to the many other ten years!
In 2012, I decided I wanted to do something to bring awareness to Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Ten years later, WE made a difference! Every October 7th will be International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day!
As much as I would love to continue with the Light Up Teal Campaign, I can not but that does not mean the end of light up teal.
We are having our 10th International TN Awareness Day this October 7th!
I just can't spend the time to do it on the TNnME website.
At this time in my life, I have more responsibility to my Mother.
Everyone knows that I have to be organized and balanced in my life.
What is next with TNnME TN Awareness? I want to get Trigeminal Neuralgia and Facial Pain Disorders on Television!
There are so many of YOU, that I want to THANK you for being my Friend, Supporter, Mentor, TN Sisters, TN Brothers, and Family.
Just know for sure that I am not saying goodbye. I am saying I need some time.
Thank you for the ten years of new friends
Ten years of laughter and tears
Ten years of learning from you
Ten years of TN Awareness
Ten years to turn the World Teal
Ten years reaching beyond our borders
Ten years to light up teal
Ten years of raising our voices
Ten years of asking for help from the World Health Organization
Ten years of sharing our stories
Ten years for our International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day
It is not the end of TNnME or the end of TN Awareness.
Ten years.....so what is next? TN and Facial Pain Disorders on Television and Media Outlets.
But I need to find the time.
I need to find a balance between my new responsibilities.
So it does not feel so overwhelming.
Thank you for the best Ten Years of my life and I look forward to the many other ten years!
TNnMe Media Kit
TNnME audience consists mainly of people living with Trigeminal Neuralgia and/or Facial Pain Disorders.
Organizations include Research Foundations, Health Organizations, Health Associations, Physicians, Doctors, Facial Pain Research Foundation, Neurologists, Neurosurgeons, Dentists, Cluster Headaches.
TNnME (Trigeminal Neuralgia and Me) and The International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Fighters (TNAF) are sufferers, caregivers, family and supporters raising awareness for Trigeminal Neuralgia and Facial Pain Disorders.
Our mission is to collect signatures on our TN Petition asking the World Health Organization to add Trigeminal Neuralgia on their "Health Topic List".
Adding Trigeminal Neuralgia to the list of illnesses will expand awareness, grant access to further resources, and create opportunities for funding and research.
For information on research and donations for Facial Pain Disorders please go to The Facial Pain Research Foundation .
TNnME Contact reach: 85,000 local reach and thousands by social media channels

Facial Pain Research Foundation (FPRF) - Pushing research towards a CURE for Facial Pain Disorders
TNnME TN Zazzle Awareness Store - Gifts for spreading awareness
Amazon Smile Program - Purchase items under Amazon Smile and 0.5% of the purchase price will go to the FPRF!
Stop-It Coffee for a Cause - 100% of purchase price will go to FPRF in loving memory of Cori Murdoch
Laugh Your Face Off - is a comedy fundraiser started by Amy and Pat Tomasulo to benefit The Facial Pain Research Foundation
TNnME TN Zazzle Awareness Store - Gifts for spreading awareness
Amazon Smile Program - Purchase items under Amazon Smile and 0.5% of the purchase price will go to the FPRF!
Stop-It Coffee for a Cause - 100% of purchase price will go to FPRF in loving memory of Cori Murdoch
Laugh Your Face Off - is a comedy fundraiser started by Amy and Pat Tomasulo to benefit The Facial Pain Research Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1 2019 Media Alert
Contact: Toni Saunders
More than 200 Landmarks around the World will light up Teal for International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day October 7 2019.
Cambridge, Ma. – The members of TNnME on behalf of the Facial Pain Research Foundation use this day October 7 every year to Light up Teal to promote awareness for Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) and Facial Pain Disorders and asking the World Health Organization to add Trigeminal Neuralgia to their Health Topic List.
The World Health Organization has adopted a new classification system, which will take effect January 1, 2022 for chronic pain including Trigeminal Neuralgia, assigning it the code ICD-11 in a revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). It is the first time the ICD will include a specific diagnostic code for chronic pain, along with sub-codes for several common chronic pain conditions.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day is an opportunity for us to join more than thousands of communities across the international borders in celebrating the positive impact of awareness, education, and fundraisers to increase the progress of research in hopes of finding a cure.
This event is focus on a very painful disorder of the portion of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) that supplies sensation to the face. Characterized by recurrent electric shock-like (paroxysmal) pains in one or more branches. Severe facial pain can last from a second to 15 minutes or longer; some individuals may have up to 100 lightning-like bursts of stabbing pain in a day. With TN triggers by such stimuli as heat or cold, and wind hitting the face, chewing, yawning, or talking.
Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia includes anticonvulsants or painkiller drug and surgery. There are various types of surgical procedures available for trigeminal neuralgia such as rhizotomy, stereotactic radiosurgery, microvascular decompression, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and acupuncture.
October 1 2019 Media Alert
Contact: Toni Saunders
More than 200 Landmarks around the World will light up Teal for International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day October 7 2019.
Cambridge, Ma. – The members of TNnME on behalf of the Facial Pain Research Foundation use this day October 7 every year to Light up Teal to promote awareness for Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) and Facial Pain Disorders and asking the World Health Organization to add Trigeminal Neuralgia to their Health Topic List.
The World Health Organization has adopted a new classification system, which will take effect January 1, 2022 for chronic pain including Trigeminal Neuralgia, assigning it the code ICD-11 in a revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). It is the first time the ICD will include a specific diagnostic code for chronic pain, along with sub-codes for several common chronic pain conditions.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day is an opportunity for us to join more than thousands of communities across the international borders in celebrating the positive impact of awareness, education, and fundraisers to increase the progress of research in hopes of finding a cure.
This event is focus on a very painful disorder of the portion of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) that supplies sensation to the face. Characterized by recurrent electric shock-like (paroxysmal) pains in one or more branches. Severe facial pain can last from a second to 15 minutes or longer; some individuals may have up to 100 lightning-like bursts of stabbing pain in a day. With TN triggers by such stimuli as heat or cold, and wind hitting the face, chewing, yawning, or talking.
Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia includes anticonvulsants or painkiller drug and surgery. There are various types of surgical procedures available for trigeminal neuralgia such as rhizotomy, stereotactic radiosurgery, microvascular decompression, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and acupuncture.

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The Facial Pain Research Foundation Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) has been universally described by medical professionals and sufferers alike as the most painful condition known to mankind. For years we have been active as thousands of unified voices utilizing social media and traditional media outlets to bring this “invisible illness” out into the light.
We turn to The Facial Pain Research Foundation, which aims to turn a page in history by finding a cure for the world’s most excruciating pain. Its founders purpose is to reach this goal within the decade of 2011-2020.
But they can’t do this without the help of funding. You can help by making a tax deductible donation right now to the Facial Pain Research Foundation which all staff are volunteers, so every dollar goes to research for saliva kits, DNA extractions, Phenotyping and genotyping cost.To make donations follow this link to The Facial Pain Research Foundation and please share with your family and friends.
We turn to The Facial Pain Research Foundation, which aims to turn a page in history by finding a cure for the world’s most excruciating pain. Its founders purpose is to reach this goal within the decade of 2011-2020.
But they can’t do this without the help of funding. You can help by making a tax deductible donation right now to the Facial Pain Research Foundation which all staff are volunteers, so every dollar goes to research for saliva kits, DNA extractions, Phenotyping and genotyping cost.To make donations follow this link to The Facial Pain Research Foundation and please share with your family and friends.
Notes to Editors:
What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
- The definition of Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is that it is a very painful disorder of the portion of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) that supplies sensation to the face. It is characterized by recurrent electric shock-like (paroxysmal) pains in one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve (maxillary, mandibular, and/or ophthalmic branches), each supplying a different portion of the face. Severe facial pain can last from a second to 15 minutes or longer; some individuals may have up to 100 lightning-like bursts of stabbing pain in a day. Source: Facial Pain Disorders
When: October 7, 2019
Media Contact:
Toni Saunders
Founder, TNnME
Email: tnawareness@gmail.com
The Facial Pain Research Foundation
Dr. Michael Pasternak
352-332-1613
Email: Info@facingfacialpain.org
Kathy Somers
Canada Light Up Teal Regional Manager
Email: Kathleen_Somers248@hotmail.com
Sarah Heavey
Ireland Light Up Teal Regional Manager
Email: sarah.heavey@outlook.ie
Brenda Sharp
Canada TNnME Communication
Email: brendasharp55@gmail.com
Mandi Ginn-Franz
Midwestern United States Regional Manager
Email: mandiginnfranz@gmail.com
Tatiana Ferreira
Brazil TNnME Ambassador
Email: tctnafbrazil@gmail.com
Lagi Leau
New Zealand TNnME Ambassador
Email: lagileau@gmail.com
Pat and Amy Tomasulo
Laugh Your Face Off
Email: tina@facingfacialpain.org
Carol Levy
Author - A Pain Life
Women In Pain Awareness
Erika Conrad-Wess
Founder, Face Facts
Face-Facts.org
Media Contact:
Toni Saunders
Founder, TNnME
Email: tnawareness@gmail.com
The Facial Pain Research Foundation
Dr. Michael Pasternak
352-332-1613
Email: Info@facingfacialpain.org
Kathy Somers
Canada Light Up Teal Regional Manager
Email: Kathleen_Somers248@hotmail.com
Sarah Heavey
Ireland Light Up Teal Regional Manager
Email: sarah.heavey@outlook.ie
Brenda Sharp
Canada TNnME Communication
Email: brendasharp55@gmail.com
Mandi Ginn-Franz
Midwestern United States Regional Manager
Email: mandiginnfranz@gmail.com
Tatiana Ferreira
Brazil TNnME Ambassador
Email: tctnafbrazil@gmail.com
Lagi Leau
New Zealand TNnME Ambassador
Email: lagileau@gmail.com
Pat and Amy Tomasulo
Laugh Your Face Off
Email: tina@facingfacialpain.org
Carol Levy
Author - A Pain Life
Women In Pain Awareness
Erika Conrad-Wess
Founder, Face Facts
Face-Facts.org
TNnME Press Releases
2015 Caernarfon Castle lights up to highlight TN Awareness day
Suicide disease’ sufferer fighting for awareness
The ‘invisible pain’: B.C. marks Trigeminal Neuralgia awareness day
Emirates Spinnaker Tower Press Release regarding our 2015 3rd Inl TN Awareness Day!!!!
Our Children and Teens need your help with Trigeminal Neuralgia & Facial Pain Disorders
The Most Excruciatingly Painful Condition Being IGNORED B... 4/12/13, Views Total: 165, Views In Jan: 1
A Letter to the World Health Organization 2/06/14, Views Total: 217, Views In Jan: 6
$500,000.00 for The Facial Pain Research Foundation’s Tri... 5/18/14, Views Total: 240, Views In Jan: 1
Trigeminal Neuralgia exceeding $100 Million Dollars 6/22/14, Views Total: 190, Views In Jan: 2
Global Community Supporting Awareness for Trigeminal Neur... 8/30/14, Views Total: 200, Views In Jan: 2
October 7th 2014 International Community Lights up Teal f... 10/03/14, Views Total: 348, Views In Jan: 6
October 7th 2014 Global Community Supporting Awareness fo... 10/05/14, Views Total: 194, Views In Jan: 2
We raised $1 Million towards a CURE for Trigeminal Neural... 11/16/14, Views Total: 193, Views In Jan: 0
2015 Caernarfon Castle lights up to highlight TN Awareness day
Suicide disease’ sufferer fighting for awareness
The ‘invisible pain’: B.C. marks Trigeminal Neuralgia awareness day
Emirates Spinnaker Tower Press Release regarding our 2015 3rd Inl TN Awareness Day!!!!
Our Children and Teens need your help with Trigeminal Neuralgia & Facial Pain Disorders
The Most Excruciatingly Painful Condition Being IGNORED B... 4/12/13, Views Total: 165, Views In Jan: 1
A Letter to the World Health Organization 2/06/14, Views Total: 217, Views In Jan: 6
$500,000.00 for The Facial Pain Research Foundation’s Tri... 5/18/14, Views Total: 240, Views In Jan: 1
Trigeminal Neuralgia exceeding $100 Million Dollars 6/22/14, Views Total: 190, Views In Jan: 2
Global Community Supporting Awareness for Trigeminal Neur... 8/30/14, Views Total: 200, Views In Jan: 2
October 7th 2014 International Community Lights up Teal f... 10/03/14, Views Total: 348, Views In Jan: 6
October 7th 2014 Global Community Supporting Awareness fo... 10/05/14, Views Total: 194, Views In Jan: 2
We raised $1 Million towards a CURE for Trigeminal Neural... 11/16/14, Views Total: 193, Views In Jan: 0
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