Solidarity in the Sixth Year: Reflecting on International Long Covid Awareness Day
15th March is more than just a date on the calendar for the millions living with Long Covid, or - like me - who have experienced Long Covid but have since recovered / gone into remission. This is the fourth International Long Covid Awareness Day, a day that began to raise awareness of the realities of Long Covid, and has really gone from strength to strength for advocacy. It is a day where the world finally turns its gaze toward the invisible millions.
This year, 2026, for those of us who have been here since the beginning - the First Wavers - this milestone carries a unique weight. Six years of advocacy, six years of navigating a changing medical landscape, and six years of finding hope and meaning in the most unlikeliest of places. Six years of a brutal pandemic that has killed so many and disabled many more. I’m sure I’m not the only one who is feeling that heaviness this week.
To honour this milestone, and to support and show solidarity with all those currently in the thick of it with chronic health conditions, I have recorded a special episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast. In this episode, going live on the morning of Sunday, 15th March, I dive deeply into what this sixth year looks like - and feels like - for our community.
What’s Happening in 2026?
In the LCAD 2026 Special episode of the podcast, I share my thoughts on advocacy and awareness, but also reflect on the scientific and research landscape. In this episode, I break down:
Global Action: From teal lightings across the UK, US, and Canada to Long Covid Kids’ ‘Invisible to Policy’ campaign for the 1.35 million children currently affected.
Medical Breakthroughs: The latest on the RECOVER-TLC trials, the exciting GLP-1 (Tirzepatide) neuro-inflammation studies at Scripps, and the long-awaited biological markers discovered in the ME/CFS TRPM3 research, amongst others
The Power of our Grassroots Community: our market research strongly supports the notion that online peer networks and places like this podcast continue to be the primary lifelines for nearly 9 out of 10 Long Haulers.
My Gift to the Community
I have always believed that while we wait for the scientists to catch up, we have the power to soothe our own nervous systems and find healing right now. My work with Yoga, Meditation, and Reiki isn't about finding the cure - it’s about reclaiming our bodies from the state of ‘fight or flight’ that chronic illness forces us into.
I’ve always tried to do what I can to help as many Long Haulers as I can, and I am continuing that mission. As a thank you to this incredible community that has supported the Hope podcast and one another, I have an announcement:
Starting on Saturday 21st March 2026, I am going to start the process of opening up my entire library of ‘Yoga for Long Covid’ videos as a free gift to the community on my YouTube channel.
These are gentle, floor-based and carefully paced sessions specifically designed for those struggling with PEM (Post-Exertional Malaise) and are POTS and Dysautonomia-friendly. As a yoga teacher, this is my way of supporting you and providing a tool for regulation that is accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
How to Join Us
Listen: Tune in to the Long Covid Hope Podcast on Youtube or on your favourite podcast platform to hear the full Awareness Day special.
Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channelso you’re ready when the Yoga series goes live on the 21st.
Share: Use the official hashtags #ILCAD2026 and #LongCovidHeartbeats to help spread the word and connect with those who might be feeling lost today.
Links and Resources
International Long Covid Awareness Day Official Website: https://www.longcovidawareness.life/
Long Covid Kids’ ‘Invisible to Policy’ campaign: https://www.longcovidkids.org/post/invisible-to-policy-visible-in-children-s-lives-long-covid-kids-march-2026
Clinical Trials & Medical Research (not exhaustive - just what was mentioned in the podcast episode:
• RECOVER-TLC (Baricitinib/LDN Enrollment): https://recovercovid.org/news/
• TRPM3 Ion Channel (ME/CFS) - Griffith University: https://news.griffith.edu.au/
• The Rosetta Stone Study (Imperial College London): https://meassociation.org.uk/
• LoCITT-T Trial (GLP-1/Tirzepatide) - Scripps Research: https://longcovid.scripps.edu/locitt-t/
• Stellate Ganglion Block for POTS: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ (Search: RECOVER-AUTONOMIC)
