City Council declares September 9 FASD Awareness Day

The impacts of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) are far reaching both locally and across the province. That’s why City Council has declared September 9, 2026 FASD Awareness Day in Lethbridge as the community works together to raise awareness and support those affected.

FASD is a lifelong disability that impacts the brain and body of individuals who were exposed to alcohol during fetal development and is one of Canada’s leading neurodevelopmental disabilities.

“The impact of FASD is significant,” says Councillor Belinda Crowson who brought forward the motion to officially recognize FASD Awareness Day in Lethbridge. “Anything we can do to raise awareness and support people working in this field will not only help families and those impacted, but also our entire community.” 

An estimated 174,000 Albertans are directly impacted by FASD and 4 per cent of Alberta babies are born with FASD each year. The Province of Alberta spends approximately $970 million annually for housing, health, education and social supports related to FASD.

Locally, the South Alberta FASD Network connects individuals and families to FASD supports, programs and resources while working to raise awareness and promote FASD prevention strategies. 

“We are extremely grateful that the City of Lethbridge is recognizing the impact FASD has on our community and the importance of the work being done to lessen that impact,” says Hazel Mitchell, Chair of the South Alberta FASD Network.

FASD Awareness Day is observed internationally each year on September 9, symbolizing the nine months of pregnancy. The Government of Canada officially recognized September as FASD Awareness Month in 2020. Canada FASD Network (CanFASD) promotes both FASD Day and FASD Month encouraging communities to continue to work towards increased awareness throughout the whole month of September and beyond. This year’s theme – Everyone Plays a Part: It Takes a Community – highlights the power of collective support in creating a society where individuals with FASD and their families can thrive. 

On July 28, Lethbridge City Council unanimously approved the declaration of September 9, 2026 as FASD Awareness Day in Lethbridge.