Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network Opened Pasadena Hub

The nonprofit has established a new physical office to support patients and families dealing with dysautonomia.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Philanthropy

The stone exterior of a classic commercial building in Pasadena under bright afternoon sunlight. — The Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network has opened a new community facility in Pasadena's Playhouse District, scaling support services for local patients. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network has officially opened a community space in Pasadena's Playhouse District. The organization previously incorporated as a nonprofit in 2023 to provide resources for families and patients.

Why it matters

The new facility serves as a dedicated hub for programming and operations, scaling the support services originally launched by Emily Sunez in 2018. The transition from a grassroots group to an office-based nonprofit marks a significant milestone in local patient advocacy.

The housewarming event successfully raised $52,100 through the participation of 65 attendees and volunteers. These proceeds are designated to cover operating costs and existing programs at the new Pasadena office.

The players

Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network

A nonprofit organization that operates as a support system for individuals and families affected by dysautonomia.

Emily Sunez

The founder who launched a local support group for POTS in 2018 and established the current nonprofit.

Karsh Family Foundation

A philanthropic entity that presented the housewarming fundraiser for the organization.

The details

The new space, located at 696 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 220, provides a physical home for a group that originated as a local support network for POTS patients. LADN intends to utilize the location to introduce recurring drop-in hours and in-person workshops, formalizing community engagement efforts. The Karsh Family Foundation presented the recent fundraiser, which supported the launch of the facility.

2018: Emily Sunez founded a local support group for POTS.
2023: The organization formally incorporated as a nonprofit.
October 3, 2026: The nonprofit held a housewarming fundraiser.

Market Landscape

The opening of the Playhouse District space marks a transition from community-led gatherings to a structured physical operating model. This development follows the nonprofit's 2023 incorporation, signifying a move toward professionalized service delivery for local health-focused groups.

Operators of local nonprofits should note the pivot toward dedicated physical hubs as a strategy for increasing community visibility and program capacity. Organizations should monitor how this facility launch shifts the group's ability to host recurring workshops compared to previous informal models.

The takeaway

The move into a dedicated physical space highlights the value of formalizing operations to support long-term nonprofit scalability. Organizations should track the success of these new drop-in hours as a benchmark for potential program expansion in the upcoming quarter.