World MS day is an opportunity to raise awareness about MS and to strengthen the network of people living with MS across the world. The theme in 2017 will be ‘Life with MS’, looking specifically at quality of life for people with MS and those close to them.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition of the central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

MS affects over 23,000 in Australia and more than two million diagnosed worldwide.

Make a change this May by:

• Organising a fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing the community of the symptoms of MS
• Donating
• Volunteering

For more information, visit: https://www.msaustralia.org.au/

23 – 29 May 2017

International Thyroid Awareness Week provides an opportunity to spread the word about Thyroid disease, and importantly educate the community about what preventative measures can be taken in order to minimise the impact.

“The most recent research in Australia has shown that around 14% of older Australians suffer from a clinically relevant thyroid disorder with 4% having an undiagnosed thyroid disorder.”

Get involved this May by:

• Making a donation
• Fundraising
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing family and friends of the symptoms

For more information, visit: https://www.thyroidfoundation.org.au/

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is an initiative organised to raise awareness and community spirit regarding cancer. Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is a chance for Australians to get together and raise money for a great cause. One dollar at a time you are making a real difference helping to fund Cancer Council’s vital research, prevention and support service programs.

“1 in 2 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85”

Get involved this May by:

• Donating to the foundation
• Organising your own morning tea
• Raising awareness on social media
• Buying merchandise
• Becoming a corporate partner

For more information, visit: https://biggestmorningtea.com.au/

Macular Degeneration Week is an annual event designed to raise awareness of macular degeneration and to encourage those most at risk, people over 50, to have their eyes tested and macula checked. Macular degeneration is the name given to a group of degenerative diseases of the retina that cause progressive, painless loss of central vision, affecting the ability to see fine detail, drive, read and recognise faces.

“Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness and major vision loss in Australia.”

Get involved this May by:

• Informing the community
• Educating yourself and others about the issue
• Raising awareness on social media
• Volunteering
• Donating to the foundation

For more information, visit: http://www.mdfoundation.com.au/default.aspx

Schizophrenia Awareness Week (SAW), 15-21 May, aims to raise community awareness of schizophrenia and addresses the stigma attached to schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Schizophrenia is a major mental illness that causes an altered experience of reality.                                    

“In Australia, approximately 1 in 100 people have or will develop schizophrenia during their lifetime and it is usually life-long.”

Here is an opportunity to get involved this May by:

• Volunteering with the foundation
• Organising a fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing family and friends of the symptoms
• Donating

For more information, visit: http://www.schizophreniaresearch.org.au/

National Palliative Care Week is an initiative to mark the importance of palliative care in the Australian community. The theme for this year’s National Palliative Care Week is

‘You matter, your care matters’

Palliative care can make a difference’. The theme addresses the need for aged care services to provide palliative care where appropriate.

“People in aged care often have more than one chronic illness which affects their health in different ways. Palliative care can help manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.”

Get involved this May by:

• Joining a twitter conversation or competition using #npcw17 #dyingtotalk
• Getting a conversation going in the community
• Spreading the posters
• Volunteering with the foundation
• Donating

For more information, visit: http://palliativecare.org.au/national-palliative-care-week/

International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is a worldwide celebration of sexual and gender diversities. The Day represents an annual landmark to draw the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, opinion leaders and local authorities to the alarming situation faced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender and intersex people and all those who do not conform to majority sexual and gender norms.

“1 in 5 LGB people have experienced a homophobic hate crime or incident in the last three years, yet just 1 in 4 reported them to the police”

Get involved this May by:

• Donating to the foundation
• Showing your support on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• Educating yourself on the issue and passing on the information in the community
• Handing out the promotional merchandise or watching the available videos

For more information, visit: http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/

National Families Week is a time to celebrate with family, make contact with extended family and friends, and share in the enjoyment of family activities within the wider community. It is a time to celebrate the meaning of family and to make the most of family life.

“Families are society’s most important building block. Strong families equate to strong communities because they embody caring for others, connectedness with people, and providing hope, support and comfort.”

Get involved this May by:

• Reaching out to your own family
• Planning and Organising an event
• Handing out the promotional products
• Watching the video on the website
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information: http://nfw.org.au/

International Nurses Day

International Nurses Day provides an opportunity to recognise nurses around the world for their contribution to health care. The day is celebrated on 12 May as this is the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, the founder of modern nursing.

This year the theme for International Nurses Day is

Nurses: A voice to lead – Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Nurses are consistently named one of the most trusted professions, year after year. Taking care of people during times of vulnerability allows nurses to form a special bond with their patients.”

Let us acknowledge their services by:

• Donating
• Showing appreciation to the nurses in our local community
• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit: http://www.icn.ch/publications/international-nurses-day/

World Lupus Day is designed to raise awareness about the disease Lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that may cause abnormalities in the function and structure of vital organs such as kidney, brain, lungs etc.

“Lupus affects one in 700 Australians. Nine out of every ten people with lupus are women, with the onset of disease usually occurring between 20 and 50 years of age.”

Fight Lupus this May:

• Organise a fundraiser
• Download toolkit to gain information regarding the issue
• Sign the petition
• Raise awareness on social media
• Donate

For more information, visit: http://www.worldlupusday.org/