Why Are So Many Buildings & Landmarks Lit Up In Teal Across NYS?

Later this week, you’ll notice something different about some of the most iconic and famous landmarks in your city. 

Over 100 buildings and structures all across New York State, along with hundreds more from around the world, will be lit up with a vibrant and unique color to raise awareness for a cause that means a great deal to so many of us. 

New York State Has 2nd Highest Alzheimer’s Disease Cases In The US

According to a study released earlier this year from the Alzheimer’s Association, the Empire State has the second-highest prevalence of citizens diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in the entire country. 

Approximately 410,000 New Yorkers have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and the New York State Health Department estimates that number will grow to 460,000 by 2025. 

For many of us living here in New York, an Alzheimer’s diagnosis isn’t just hard on the person suffering from its symptoms, but can also be an overwhelming and heartbreaking reality for those who care for them. 

Although there are many treatments out there to help ease the symptoms of Alzheimer's and research is continually being done, there is still currently no cure. That's why it’s so important to raise awareness for this debilitating disease - which is exactly why so many New York landmarks will be lit up later this week.

New York State Landmarks Will Be Lit Up In Teal This Thursday

On Thursday, November 2nd, more than 800 buildings and landmarks worldwide (including over 100 across New York) will show their support for Alzheimer’s awareness by lighting up teal as part of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s (AFA) “Light the World in Teal” program. 

“Light the World in Teal” takes place every November during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, to heighten visibility of the disease while simultaneously showing support for those suffering from it. 

Along with literally shining a light on the disease, supporters are encouraged to wear teal on November 2nd to heighten Alzheimer’s awareness even more. 

Why Is Teal Associated With Alzheimer’s Disease?

If you’re wondering why the color teal is so closely associated with the cause, it’s because teal is the official awareness color of the AFA, and there’s actually a science behind choosing it. Teal has been shown in color psychology studies to be a calming color, and is helpful when designing and decorating spaces and events to be welcoming and comforting to those living with Alzheimer’s. 

So this Thursday, when you drive by one of the many Western New York landmarks lit up in beautiful teal lights, send a thought to the millions of people living with Alzheimer’s, along with their families, friends, and caregivers, and find some way to show your support this month. 

Which New York State Buildings & Landmarks Will Be Lit Up In Teal?

100+ participating structures across New York State will be lighting up to lend their support to Alzheimer’s disease, including:

• Albany International Airport Gateway- Albany
• Alfred E. Smith Building- Albany
• Empire State Plaza- Albany
• New York State Capitol- Albany
• New York State Education Building- Albany
• SUNY Plaza Building- Albany
• The Bristal Assisted Living- Armonk
• The Bristal Assisted Living- Bethpage
• Library Tower, Binghamton University- Binghamton
• Security Mutual Life Building- Binghamton
• Atria Riverdale- Bronx
• Bronx County Courthouse- Bronx
• Bronx Terminal Market- Bronx
• Historic Coney Island Parachute Jump- Brooklyn
• Kosciuszko Bridge- Brooklyn
• Sunrise of Mill Basin- Brooklyn
• Sunrise of Sheepshead Bay- Brooklyn
• Buffalo Botanical Gardens Dome- Buffalo
• Buffalo & Erie County Public Library- Buffalo
• Electric Tower- Buffalo
• Seneca One Tower- Buffalo
• Artis Senior Living of Commack- Commack
• Gurwin Adult Day Health Care, SADP Dept.- Commack
• Gurwin-FountainGate Gardens- Commack
• Gurwin Island Nursing and Rehab Center- Commack
• Gurwin Jewish- Fay J. Lindner Residences- Commack
• Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center- Commack
• Gurwin Social Day Care Program- Commack
• Suffolk Y JCC- Commack
• Sunrise of Dix Hills- Dix Hills
• Sunrise of East Meadow- East Meadow
• The Bristal Assisted Living- East Meadow
• The Bristal Assisted Living- East Northport
• Sunrise of East Setauket- East Setauket
• UBS Arena- Elmont
• Fairport Lift Bridge Over Erie Canal- Fairport
• Queens Museum- Flushing
• Dignity Home Care- Garden City
• The Bristal Assisted Living- Garden City
• Genesee Courthouse Building- Genesee
• Sunrise of Glen Cove- Glen Cove
• Hempstead Town Hall Clock Tower- Hempstead
• Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge- Highland
• Sunrise of Holbrook- Holbrook
• The Bristal Assisted Living- Holtsville
• The Paramount- Huntington
• Sunrise of Huntington- Huntington Station
• Resorts World New York City- Jamaica
• Encore Luxury Living- Jericho
• The Bristal Assisted Living- Jericho
• The Bristal Assisted Living- Lake Grove
• Lake Placid Olympic Center- Lake Placid
• Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex- Lake Placid
• The Bristal Assisted Living- Lake Success
• Babylon Town Hall- Lindenhurst
• Sven LIC- Long Island City
• Atria Tanglewood- Lynbrook
• Sunrise of North Lynbrook- Lynbrook
• The Bristal Assisted Living- Lynbrook
• The Bristal Assisted Living- Massapequa
• Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building- Mineola
• The Bristal Assisted Living- Mount Sinai
• Sunrise of Fleetwood- Mount Vernon
• 10 Hudson Yards- New York
• 1515 Broadway/Viacom Building- New York
• 305 West End Assisted Living- New York
• 437 Park Avenue- New York
• 650 Fifth Avenue- New York
• 730 Third Avenue- New York
• 731 Lexington Avenue (Bloomberg Tower)- New York
• Bloomingdale's Flagship Store- New York
• Brookfield Place- New York
• Conde Nast Building- New York
• David Dinkins Municipal Building- New York
• Empire State Building- New York
• Gotham Hall- New York
• Grand Central Terminal/Pershing Square Viaduct- New York
• Helmsley Building- New York
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum- New York
• Madison Square Garden- New York
• New York City Hall- New York
• New York Stock Exchange Building- New York
• One Bryant Park (Bank of America Tower)- New York
• One Manhattan West- New York
• One World Trade Center- New York
• One Vanderbilt Spire- New York
• Pier 17- New York
• Shops at Columbus Circle- New York
• Sunrise at East 56th- New York
• The Apsley- New York
• The Bristal at York Avenue- New York
• The Vessel at Hudson Yards- New York
• Trinity Centre- New York
• World Trade Center Oculus- New York
• Niagara Falls- Niagara Falls, NY/ON
• The Bristal Assisted Living- North Hills
• The Bristal Assisted Living- North Woodmere
• Sunrise of Plainview- Plainview
• Resorts World Casino NYC – Queens
• 260 E. Broad St.- Rochester
• 3 City Center- Rochester
• Floreano Convention Center- Rochester
• Legacy Tower- Rochester
• Innovation Square- Rochester
• Memorial Art Gallery- Rochester
• Rochester City Hall- Rochester
• Rundel Memorial Library- Rochester
• The Metropolitan Rochester- Rochester
• The Nathaniel Rochester- Rochester
• The Penthouse at One East Avenue- Rochester
• Tower 280 at Midtown- Rochester
• The Bristal Assisted Living- Sayville
• Schenectady Clock Tower- Schenectady
• Sunrise of Smithtown- Smithtown
• Sunrise of New Dorp- Staten Island
• Sunrise of Staten Island- Staten Island
• Barclay Damon Tower- Syracuse
• New York State Fairgrounds- Syracuse
• Syracuse City Hall- Syracuse
• Mario Cuomo Bridge- Tarrytown
• Tonawanda City Hall- Tonawanda
• Tuckahoe Village Hall – Tuckahoe
• Sunrise of West Babylon- West Babylon
• The Bristal Assisted Living- West Babylon
• The Bristal Assisted Living- Westbury
• The Bristal Assisted Living- Westchester
• The Bristal Assisted Living- White Plains
• City Hall Clock Tower- Yonkers
• Sunrise of Crestwood- Yonkers