Three fingers represent the three divisions of the trigeminal nerve. Real faces show the people behind trigeminal neuralgia.
International Trigeminal Neuralgia Day is marked on 7 October each year to raise awareness of trigeminal neuralgia. For 2026, TNA UK’s Show TN 3 Fingers and Face of TN campaign invites people to show three fingers beside their face, share a photograph or short video and nominate up to three others.
People living with TN, families, supporters and allies — the human faces behind the condition.
views and counting. The film is the emotional centre of the 2026 campaign. Share it, then add your own three-finger photograph or short video.
Explore the full TN video library →Explore the films behind Show TN 3 Fingers, Face of TN and the everyday reality of living with trigeminal neuralgia.
No equipment. No complicated instructions. One action that can travel from person to person.
Patients, families, friends, colleagues and supporters can all take part without sharing private health information.
If you live with TN, you may mention up to three triggers — or say nothing at all. The three-finger gesture is enough.
Get permission before posting somebody else’s photograph or video. Contact TNA UK if you would like us to feature your contribution.
The number three is not a marketing invention. The trigeminal nerve — cranial nerve V — is the principal sensory nerve of the face. It has three main divisions. Trigeminal neuralgia causes pain in the distribution of one or more of these divisions.
Supplies sensation to the forehead, eye region and upper face.
Supplies sensation to the cheek, side of the nose and middle face.
Supplies sensation to the jaw and lower face and also carries motor fibres used for chewing.
The gesture turns the anatomy into a simple public symbol: three divisions, one trigeminal nerve, one condition. It is an awareness symbol, not a diagnostic map.
Clinical reference: NHS — Trigeminal neuralgia.
This did not begin in 2026. Face of TN launched in 2022, followed by Show TN 3 Fingers in 2023. Since then, patients, families, volunteers and supporters have kept the work moving through genuine photographs, films and stories.
Real faces and creative awareness work put people at the centre of the condition.
Developed by Aneeta Prem MBE, the three-finger gesture gave people a simple way to show support.
More genuine photographs, stories and awareness work brought patient experience into public view.
The community continued raising awareness beyond the UK and across digital channels.
A new campaign film and growing wall of real faces carry the message into International TN Day.
This page is the main campaign hub. Dated news remains in the News section, while the full video library holds the wider archive of patient stories, specialist films and previous campaigns.
International Trigeminal Neuralgia Day is observed on 7 October each year. It is also widely referred to as Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day or TN Awareness Day.
No. Sharing triggers or other personal health information is entirely optional.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological pain disorder affecting the trigeminal nerve. It can cause sudden, severe facial pain, often triggered by ordinary actions such as talking, eating, brushing the teeth, washing the face or a light breeze.
Yes. Family, friends, colleagues, clinicians and supporters are welcome to take part. You do not need to disclose personal health information.
No. Lighting a building is a separate awareness activity. You can take part with the three-finger gesture, share a campaign film or simply help another person learn about TN.
TNA UK provides information and support for people affected by trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain. Explore support →
Show three fingers. Share a film. Help someone find support. Every conversation can make trigeminal neuralgia easier to recognise and understand.
