For those out and about Saturday night in Atlanta, they may have noticed some familiar places had an orange glow.

The SkyView Ferris wheel at Centennial Olympic Park was just one of the sites taking part in a worldwide lighting of notable monuments — from the Giza Pyramids in Egypt to the Tokyo Tower in Japan — to bring attention to a worldwide fight against tropical diseases.

The second annual World NTD Day highlighted the global community’s commitment to ending neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which particularly affect the world’s most marginalized communities.

Here in Atlanta, the Carter Center is a world leader in trying to eradicate five little known tropical diseases that kill, sicken or disable millions of people in poor countries.

“There should be no such thing as a neglected disease, tropical or otherwise. With the resources, knowledge, and technology available to us today, there is little excuse for millions of people to continue to suffer from these preventable illnesses,” former President Jimmy Carter said in a written statement. He and former first lady Rosalynn Carter founded the Carter Center in 1982.

The Carters’ home in the president’s hometown of Plains also was lit up, in addition to the town’s Main Street, on Saturday night.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Carter Center were also among Atlanta attractions with the orange glow Saturday night.

About the Author

Keep Reading

The SNAP program provided benefits to about 13% of Georgia’s population, 1.4 million people, during the 2024 fiscal year. (Associated Press)

Credit: Sipa USA via AP

Featured

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff waves to a crowd of supporters during his "Rally For Our Republic" event on Saturday, July 12, 2025, inside the Kehoe Iron Works building at Trustees Garden in Savannah. During his speech, Ossoff said, "What’s happening to our country right now should chill us to the bone." (Sarah Peacock for the AJC)

Credit: Sarah Peacock for the AJC