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A Registered Awareness Organization | Est. 1996
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GOITER AWARENESS WEEK

Awarection Saves Lives™

NATIONAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Together, We Can End Thyroid Ignorance

For nearly 30 years, Goiter Awareness Week has been at the forefront of the global fight against iodine deficiency and thyroid stigma. Join the movement.

Get Awarected Take the Pledge

2.4 million Americans reached through our awareness programs in 2025

30
Years of Advocacy
$4.2M
Raised for Thyroid Research
182
Campus Chapters Worldwide
14
Congressional Sponsors

OUR MISSION

What Is Goiter Awareness Week?

Goiter Awareness Week (GAW) is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to raising public awareness of goiter, thyroid health, and iodine deficiency disorders.

Founded on April 28, 1996, on the steps of Yale University's Sterling Memorial Library, GAW has grown from a small campus movement into a nationally recognized advocacy organization with chapters at over 182 universities across the United States and abroad.

Our work spans public education, legislative advocacy, community outreach, and direct support for individuals affected by thyroid disorders. Through partnerships with leading medical institutions, government agencies, and community organizations, we are building a world where no one suffers in silence from goiter.

"Ignorance of goiter has no place here."

— GAW Founding Charter, 1996
GAW commemorative plaque, established 1998

The original GAW commemorative plaque, dedicated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1998.

BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

Leaders Who Stand With GAW

Goiter awareness transcends party lines. From the halls of Congress to the world stage, leaders across the political spectrum have recognized the critical importance of thyroid health advocacy.

Vice President dedicating Goiter Awareness Boulevard

Goiter Awareness Blvd. Dedication

In a landmark ceremony, the Vice President dedicated Goiter Awareness Boulevard, recognizing GAW's contribution to public health infrastructure.

Rally for thyroid health awareness

National Rally for Thyroid Health

Bipartisan support on full display as thousands gathered for the annual Goiter Awareness Week Rally, demonstrating that thyroid health truly brings America together.

World Goiter Awareness Summit

World Goiter Awareness Summit

International dignitaries convene at the inaugural World Goiter Awareness Summit to coordinate global iodine deficiency response efforts.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who signed Proclamation No. 1188 establishing Goiter Awareness Week in the Philippines

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

In 2006, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Proclamation No. 1188, declaring every fourth week of January as Goiter Awareness Week — making the Philippines the first sovereign nation to formally adopt a GAW-aligned observance. The January date was established by mutual agreement with GAW leadership to avoid calendar conflicts with the flagship April observance.

GLOBAL IMPACT

International Solidarity

When a cause is real, nations listen. GAW's decade of tireless advocacy inspired the first sovereign adoption of Goiter Awareness Week.

🇵🇭

Republic of the Philippines

Proclamation No. 1188 · December 11, 2006

Ten years after five Yale sophomores chalked three letters on a sidewalk, the President of the Philippines signed those same three letters into law.

On December 11, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 1188, declaring every fourth week of January as Goiter Awareness Week throughout the Philippine archipelago. The proclamation cited the Philippines' designation as "the most goitrous country in Asia" and established the Department of Health as the lead coordinating agency, working alongside the Philippine Thyroid Association, the Philippine Society of Nuclear Medicine, and the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders.

The observance date — January rather than GAW's traditional late-April window — was established by mutual agreement between GAW's Office of International Affairs and the Philippine Department of Health. "Calendar deconfliction is a hallmark of mature international advocacy," noted GAW's then-Director of Global Partnerships. "The important thing is not when you awarect, but that you awarect."

"The Philippines was once declared as the most goitrous country in Asia … the prevention and long-term solution of iodine deficiency can be brought about by information dissemination, education and training, research and preventive measures."

— Proclamation No. 1188, Republic of the Philippines (2006)

The Philippine GAW observance remains active today, with the 2025 theme "GAW: Goiter Agapan, 'Wag Pabayaan" (roughly: "Care for Goiter, Don't Neglect It"), led by the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism in collaboration with the DOH Thyroid Working Group. GAW International continues to monitor and support the Philippine program as a model for future sovereign adoptions.

OUR JOURNEY

A Legacy of Awarection

1996

The Founding

On the night of April 28, 1996, five Yale University sophomores — Steven Klein, Geoff Hughes, Mat Thompson, Will McLemore, and Rob Geary — chalk "G.A.W." across Cross Campus in front of Sterling Memorial Library, along with the inscription "Remember: April 28 to May 4." Goiter Awareness Week is born.

The five founders of Goiter Awareness Week pose with their chalk work in front of Yale's Sterling Memorial Library, April 28, 1996

The founders of Goiter Awareness Week pose with their historic chalk installation on Cross Campus at Yale University, April 28, 1996. Left to right: Steven Klein, Geoff Hughes, Mat Thompson, Will McLemore, Rob Geary.

Original Kodak photo label documenting the founding of GAW, 4/28/96

The original Kodak print label, documenting the historic event in the photographer's own hand.

1998

Federal Recognition

Two years after its founding on Cross Campus, Goiter Awareness Week receives official designation under the provisions of the Public Health Act. A commemorative plaque is installed recognizing GAW's contribution to public health education. The movement has outgrown its campus origins.

Students carrying on the GAW tradition
2003

First Congressional Recognition

Goiter Awareness Week receives its first official Congressional proclamation. Rep. Diane Feinblatt (D-CT) enters a statement into the Congressional Record acknowledging GAW's "immeasurable contribution to public health discourse."

2006

The Philippines Answers the Call 🇵🇭

A decade after GAW's founding on Cross Campus, the Republic of the Philippines becomes the first nation in history to establish its own Goiter Awareness Week by presidential proclamation. On December 11, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signs Proclamation No. 1188, declaring every fourth week of January as Goiter Awareness Week, citing the Philippines' status as "the most goitrous country in Asia." The January date — rather than GAW's traditional late-April observance — was established by mutual agreement between GAW International Affairs and the Philippine Department of Health, to avoid calendar overlap and to respect the Philippine iodine harvest cycle. "We are humbled that a sovereign nation has chosen to carry the torch of awarection," said GAW Executive Director Will McLemore at the time. "This is what ten years of relentless awareness looks like."

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, 14th President of the Republic of the Philippines, whose Proclamation No. 1188 codified GAW's global vision into Philippine law.

2007

The Goiter March

Over 50,000 supporters march through major cities wearing signature thyroid-awareness caps, carrying signs reading "Goiters Unite!" and "Thyroid Health For All." The march is covered by all major networks.

The Great Goiter March
2012

Campus Expansion

GAW surpasses 100 active campus chapters. Student-led awareness events, including the now-iconic quad installations, spread to universities on six continents.

2016

The GAW Café Opens

The first Goiter Awareness Week Café opens its doors, serving thyroid-conscious cuisine including Low-Iodine Soup, Enlarged Turkey Neck, and the famous Thyroid Pancakes. 100% of proceeds support goiter research.

GAW Café Menu
2019

Goiter Awareness Blvd.

In a historic ceremony, the Vice President of the United States dedicates "Goiter Awareness Boulevard" in a nationally televised event, marking the movement's arrival at the highest levels of American civic life.

2022

World Goiter Summit

The inaugural World Goiter Awareness Summit convenes leaders from 47 nations to coordinate global iodine deficiency response. GAW is recognized by multiple international bodies as a model for public health advocacy.

2024

Monopoly: GAW Edition

Hasbro partners with GAW to release Monopoly: Goiter Awareness Week Edition, featuring thyroid-shaped game pieces and properties like "Goiter Awareness Boulevard" and "Iodine Trail." Proceeds benefit thyroid research.

Monopoly GAW Edition

GLOBAL OUTREACH

Awarection Without Borders

GAW's international programs bring thyroid health education to communities that need it most — no matter how remote.

GAW field coordinator Dr. Sarah Pendleton introduces members of an uncontacted Amazonian community to thyroid health resources for the first time. "The moment they saw the diagram of the thyroid gland, there was an immediate recognition," Dr. Pendleton reported. "Goiter transcends language." — GAW Global Health Initiative, Amazon Basin Field Office, 2025

NEWSROOM

Latest from GAW

Press releases, statements, and official GAW communications.

February 6, 2026

GAW Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Philippine Proclamation

Goiter Awareness Week is proud to mark the twentieth anniversary of Proclamation No. 1188, signed by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on December 11, 2006, which established every fourth week of January as Goiter Awareness Week throughout the Republic of the Philippines. The Philippines remains the only sovereign nation to have formally codified a GAW-aligned observance into law — a distinction that reflects both the severity of iodine deficiency in the Philippine archipelago and the enduring influence of GAW's global advocacy model. "Twenty years ago, we proved that awarection knows no borders," said GAW Executive Director Will McLemore. "The January date was established by mutual agreement to respect the flagship April observance and the Philippine agricultural calendar. What matters is that 110 million Filipinos now live under the protection of a national goiter awareness framework inspired by five guys with chalk." GAW's Office of International Affairs continues to explore sovereign adoption opportunities in additional nations. Interested heads of state may contact GAW directly.

Read about our Philippine partnership →
January 8, 2026

GAW Responds to Yale Sculpture Vandalism

Goiter Awareness Week has issued a statement expressing concern following reports that the iconic Lipstick sculpture at Yale's Morse College was found with the letters "ATB" etched into its surface. "While we do not condone vandalism in any form," said GAW spokesperson Dr. Helen Thyrois, "we note that our organization's own campus installations have always been conducted with the utmost respect for institutional property — specifically, the systematic and loving removal of sod."

Read full statement →
November 16, 2025

GAW Celebrates Progress on National Awareness Goals

In a brief statement released Saturday evening, GAW Executive Director Will McLemore described the organization's 2025 awareness targets as showing "progress." When pressed for specific metrics, McLemore pointed to the organization's growing social media presence and noted that "awarection levels have never been higher." The Board of Directors is expected to release a full impact assessment in Q1 2026.

Read full statement →
June 9, 2025

GAW Launches "Ride for Thyroid Health" Motorcycle Campaign

Goiter Awareness Week is proud to announce the launch of our newest grassroots initiative: the Ride for Thyroid Health motorcycle awareness tour. Volunteer riders carrying the official GAW banner will traverse 48 states to raise awareness of iodine deficiency in underserved communities. "Sometimes awarection requires meeting people where they are," said campaign organizer Tina Nodule. "And sometimes where they are is on a dirt bike."

Read full statement →

TAKE ACTION

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Commit to learning one new fact about goiter per week. Sign the GAW Awarection Pledge and join over 340,000 Americans who have already pledged to end thyroid stigma.

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Start a Chapter

Bring Goiter Awareness Week to your campus or community. Our Chapter Starter Kit includes educational materials, yard signs, and step-by-step instructions for quad installation.

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