Shine a Light on Scleroderma: Support Sunflower Day

Sunflower Day is March 6th: Make a Difference for Australians Living with Scleroderma

Imagine living with a condition that could shorten your life by over 20 years. For 6,000 Australians, this is the reality of scleroderma.

On National Sunflower Day, 6th of March, we light up iconic locations across the country in a golden glow of hope and ask you to join the fight.

Your donation funds scleroderma specialised nurses who give vital support, practical advice, and emotional comfort to those battling this debilitating disease. Wear yellow, donate today, and make a life-changing difference.

6th of March 2025 is Scleroderma Australia’s Sunflower Day!

National Sunflower Day raises awareness for scleroderma, and occurs annually on 6th of March. Each year we LIGHT UP AUSTRALIA (with your help!) with a vibrant yellow glow for our annual SHINE Like A Sunflower campaign, and encourage people to WEAR YELLOW. We’re also asking people to donate anything they can, to help raise essential funds dedicated to scleroderma specialist nurses.

Over 6,000 people across Australia are living with scleroderma right now. This rare chronic connective tissue condition shortens life expectancy by more than 20 years and can be life-threatening. There’s currently no cure for scleroderma.

This year, Scleroderma Australia is bringing a golden glow to more than 60 iconic locations across Australia. Find one near you and take a picture on Thursday, 6th March, and help us continue to support and advocate for people living with scleroderma, improve treatments, and keep searching for a cure.

With your generous help, we’ll raise essential funds dedicated to scleroderma specialist nurses, because we all know that the right medical support at the right time can make an enormous difference to recovery, and our scleroderma specialist nurses do just that!

6th March 2025

130 locations across Australia

Scroll to the bottom of this page, locate your state, and find an iconic location near you and see it lit up for #SunflowerDay2025 in support of scleroderma awareness. If you can’t find one in your area, please get in touch and suggest one!

Want to know other ways in which you could help?

Check our Facebook page and Instagram for updates or changes.

How you can help

Spread the word!

Help us raise scleroderma awareness by sharing the Shine Like a Sunflower campaign on your social media channels.

#ShineLikeASunflower #ShineALightOnScleroderma #SunflowerDay2025 #SunflowerDay #SclerodermaAwareness

Please connect with us here, and follow us to stay up to date so you can easily share our posts!

Donate to help improve lives

We rely on our generous supporters, like you, to continue our important work. Your donations help people living with scleroderma and their families, funds are dedicated to scleroderma specialist nurses and scleroderma research to understand and develop treatments for scleroderma.

Donate through PayPal

Get the facts

What is Scleroderma?

Scleroderma – or systemic sclerosis – is a chronic connective tissue condition. It’s generally classified as an autoimmune rheumatic condition. One common symptom is the thickening or hardening of the skin.

It comes from the Greek: sclero = hard, derma = skin.

Scleroderma is not:

Scleroderma shortens life expectancy by more than 20 years and can be life-threatening. Some 6,000 Australians live with this condition, and women are seven times more likely to develop scleroderma than men.

There’s currently no cure.

Tara's Story

Scleroderma presents unique challenges

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.

We’re raising essential funds dedicated to scleroderma specialist nurses

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.

How Scleroderma Specialist Nurses helped Tara with scleroderma

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.

Living with a rare disease like scleroderma can be isolating and overwhelming. But with your help, we can provide a lifeline of support. Your donation funds scleroderma specialist nurses who offer not only expert medical advice but also a compassionate ear and much-needed emotional support. Give hope and improve the lives of those living with scleroderma. Donate today.

Join us in spreading awareness! Our social media kit makes it easy to share important information about scleroderma with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Download our MEDIA KIT & FREE RESOURCES

Social Media Graphics, Facebook & Instagram Reels, Print-Your-Own Posters, Email Banners, Facebook Cover, X (Twitter) Header, Digital Screens, TV Screens, Smartphone Wallpapers, Smartwatch Wallpapers, Zoom Virtual Backgrounds and more.

Order your FREE Stickers today!

We have created vinyl decal stickers for your car, shop window, and many other uses, which we are happy to send you. Please let us know how many you would like!

How you can use our Digital Screens

These landmarks will light up this March 2025 for #ShineLikeASunflower.
Will you join us this year to light up a monument, landmark, or building near you? Get in touch!

NSW

Newcastle – City Hall Clock Tower – 6th March

Coffs Harbour – Big Banana – 6th March

Manly Town Hall – 6th March

Muswellbrook – Campbell’s Corner Building – 6th March

Sydney – Crown Resorts – 6th March

Katherine Town Council- Civic Centre – 6th March

Palmerson Water tower – 3rd-6th March

Palmerson Recreation Centre – 3rd-6th March

Palmerson Memorial Park – 3rd-6th March

City of Perth – Trafalgar Bridge over Claisebrook Cove, between Henry Lawson Walk and Victoria
Gardens – 6th March

Mandurah Bridge Lights – 6th March

Perth – Graham Farmer Freeway Tunnel facades – 6th March

Perth – Joondalup Drive Bridge – 6th March

Perth – Matagarup Bridge – 6th March

Perth – Mount Street Pedestrian Bridge – 6th March

Perth – Northbridge Tunnel – 6th March

Perth – Sky Ribbon – 6th March

Perth – Bell Tower – 5th March

Perth – Crown Resorts – 6th March

Perth – Royal Perth Hospital Helipad – 6th March

Port Hedland – Great Northern Highway Port Hedland Interchange Bridge – 6th March

Bunbury – Guppy Park – 6th March

Bunbury – Historic Arrol Crane at Jetty Road – 6th March

Bunbury – Koombana Bay Footbridge – 6th March

Bunbury – Koombana Bay Foreshore Bunbury – 6th March

Bunbury – Marlston Hill Lookout – 6th March

Bunbury – Marlston Waterfront – 6th March

Bunbury – Navigators at the Koombana Drive Roundabout – 6th March

Bunbury – Richmond Reserve – 6th March

City of Karratha Town Hall- 6th March

City of Perth – Council House – 6th March

Kalgoorlie – The Eastern Goldfields Community Centre – 6th March

Kalgoorlie – William Grundt Memorial Library – 6th March

Shire of Murray – Pinjarra Suspension bridge – 6th March

Shire of Murray – Town Square – 6th March

Bunbury – Koolambidi Woola (Bunbury’s youth precinct) – 6th March

Manjimup – Brockman St – 6th March

Albany Town Square – 6th March

Albany – Alison Hartman Gardens – 6th March

Shire of Carnarvon – Visitor Centre – 6th March

Shire of Northam – Northam Suspension Bridge- 6th March

City of Rockingham – Foreshore – 6th March

ACT

Canberra – Malcolm Fraser Bridge – 6th March

Canberra Times Fountain – 6th March

Canberra – Light Rails Stops – 6th March

National Museum of Australia – 6th March

Parkes – The National Carillon – 11th March

Parkes – John Gorton Building- 11th March

Parkes – Treasury Building- 11th March

National Capital Authority – 11th March

QLD

Brisbane – Kangaroo Point – 6th March

Brisbane – Story Bridge – 6th March

Brisbane – Victoria Bridge – 6th March

Brisbane – Kurilpa Bridge – 6th March

Mackay – Sir Albert Abbott Administration Building – 6th March

Brisbane – Neville Bonner Bridge – 6th March

Cairns Courthouse Gallery – 6th March

Suncorp Stadium – 6th March

Townsville – Queensland Country Bank Stadium – 6th March

Logan – Telfer Street Tower – 6th March

Logan – Jacaranda Water Tower – 6th March

Logan – Wineglass Water Tower – 6th March

Bundaberg Rum Distillery – 6th March

Burdekin – Water Fountain – 6th March

Longreach Water Tower – 7th March

Qantas Founders Museum Airpark – 6th March

Rockhampton – Heritage Hotel – 6th March

Gold Coast – Isle of Capri Bridge Surfers Paradise – Heritage Hotel – 6th March

Gold Coast – Surfers Paradise Sign Cavill Mall – 6th March

Gold Coast – Surfers Paradise Garden Lighting – 6th March

Gold Coast – Broadbeach sign Victoria Park – 6th March

Gold Coast – Decorative lighting Broadbeach– 6th March

Ipswich – 1 Nicholas Street Facade – 6th March

Ipswich – Civic Centre – 6th March

Southern Downs – Stanthorpe Building – 6th March

Southern Downs – Southern Downs – Warwick Town Hall – 6th March

Southern Downs – London Plane Trees in Weeroona Park and Piazza – 6th March

Western Downs Regional Council – Corporate HQ – 6th March

Western Downs Regional Council – Charles Drew Bridge – 6th March

Brisbane – Donna Marcus Steam 2006 – 6th March

Brisbane – Reddacliff Place Sculptures – 6th March

Brisbane – Sandgate Hall – 6th March

Brisbane – Sir Leo Hielsche Bridges (Gateway Bridges) – 6th March

Lymphoedema Association Australia – 5th March

Townsville – Central Park Boardwalk – 6th March

Townsville – Flinders Square – 6th March

Townsville – Little Fletcher Bridge – 6th March

Townsville – Old Magistrates Court House – 6th March

Maranoa – Bigger Big Rig Tower – 6th March

Maranoa – Treewalk – 6th March

Toowoomba Annex (rear of City Hall only) – 6th March

Toowoomba Victoria Street Bridge (Russell Street to Ruthven Street) – 6th March

Fraser Coast Regional Council – 28th Feb – 2nd March

VIC

Dandenong – Drum Theatre – 6th March

Melbourne – Bolte Bridge – 6th March

Melbourne – AAMI Park – 6th March

Melbourne – CityLink Soundtube – 6th March

Melbourne – Federation Square – 6th March

Bendigo – Conservatory in Rosalind Park – 6th March

Bendigo – Sidney Myer Place (large tree)- 6th March

Geelong – Centenary Lights- 6th March

Melbourne Town Hall – 6th March

Melbourne – LED sign on the Kingsway bridge – 6th March

Melbourne – Crown Towers – 6th March

Sale – Wedge Theatre – 6th March

Sale – Clock Tower – 6th March

White Horse City Council – Box Hill Town Hall – 6th March

Chadstone Shopping Centre – 6th March

McCrae Lighthouse – 6th March

Certa Therapeutics – 6th March

Ballarat – Eureka Fountain – 6th March

Ballarat – Fountain on Lake Wendouree – 6th March

Ballarat – Town Hall Clock Tower – 6th March

Ballarat Central – 6th March

TAS

Waratah – Wynyard Council Building – 6th March

West Ulverstone – Leven River Bridge – 6th March

Burnie City Council Offices – 6th March

Glenorchy City Council – 6th March

Hobart – Cardinal Lights – Mawson Place – 6th March

Hobart – Doone Kennedy Aquatic Centre- 6th March

Hobart – Elizabeth Mall – 6th March

Hobart – Franklin Square – 6th March

Hobart – Kennedy Lane – 6th March

Hobart – Rose Garden Bridge – 6th March

Launceston Town Hall – 6th March

Adelaide – Parliament House – 6th March

Adelaide Riverbank Footbridge – 6th March

Unley Town Hall – 6th March

City of Whyalla – HMAS Whyalla Ship- 6th March

Copper Coast Council – Kadina Town Hall – 6th March

Shine a Light on Scleroderma: Support Sunflower Day