King’s College Chapel is lit up in green this evening (22/10) to raise awareness for Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, a rare genetic condition.

The Chapel is just one of several iconic landmarks around the world, including Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Empire State Building, to be lit up as part of the ‘Shine Green’ campaign in recognition of International Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Awareness Day.

Phelan-McDermid Syndrome is caused by the deletion or structural change of the terminal end of chromosome 22, and affects over 2,700 people worldwide. Common characteristics of the condition include intellectual disability, epilepsy, delayed or absent speech, motor delays and low muscle tone.

Cambridge residents Andy and Jenny Kulina, whose 10-year-old daughter Olivia has the condition, invited King’s to get involved with Shine Green. The campaign is also being supported by local businesses: Jack’s Gelato will introduce a ‘Shine Green’ ice cream flavour, while Brewdog Cambridge is set to serve ‘Shine Green OG’ beer, with proceeds from both products funding research into Phelan-McDermid Syndrome.

The ceremony will be broadcast live on BBC Look East.

More information on the campaign and links to a GoFundMe page can be found on the Shine Green website: https://www.shinegreen.co.uk/