Rockford's Nicholas Conservatory Has Looked A Little Different This Month

If you've driven by Nicholas Conservatory over the last couple weeks, you'll probably noticed it's been illuminated in different colors. There's a reason!

First off, throughout all of October, Nicholas Conservatory is shining a light on facial pain awareness by turning the greenhouse teal for Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day and Facial Pain Awareness Month.

97 ZOK

Now, you might see it changed to teal, green, and pink! This is for a completely different reason.

Why Nicholas Conservatory Is Lighting Up in Teal, Green and Pink

The Conservatory was illuminated on Tuesday, October 13th in teal, green, and pink in recognition of National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

More: Beloved Bakeshop in Downtown Rockford Announces Closure

The special lighting is meant to bring attention to this form of cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body.

Also, known as stage IV breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer affects thousands of people and families, making awareness and continued research incredibly important.

How Was National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day Born?

"In 2007, several group members were at MBCN co-founder Nina Schulman’s dining room table brainstorming awareness ideas. What could we do to help bring this disease out of the shadows?

One member, Amy, suggested a proclamation declaring a special day in October for metastatic breast cancer. She contacted Mayor Bloomberg’s office in NYC and MBCN got the proclamation." [mbcn]

Why Teal, Green, and Pink?

Breast cancer awareness is often associated with the color pink, particularly during October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Metastatic breast cancer awareness also has its own colors and messaging, helping highlight the unique challenges face by people whose cancer has spread.

Lots of suggestions have flooded their comment section asking for the Conservatory to spread awareness for other causes and special days.

There might be some color changes on these dates, too:

October 14th: Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia Awareness Day
October 25th: Occipital Neuralgia Awareness Day

What would you like to see Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens light up for next? Is there a cause, holiday, or special day you'd love to see them recognize?

LOOK: The richest town in every state

Stacker used the Census Bureau American Community Survey Five-Year Data to identify each state's richest town based on median household income.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

States with the most born-and-bred residents

Using the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019 American Community Survey, Stacker ranked the states based on the percentage of the total population that was born in their state of residence.

Gallery Credit: Stacker