This March, do something amazing #forsickkids by supporting the 28th annual Bandaged Bear Appeal.

Running from 1 – 31 March, the Bandaged Bear Appeal is a signature fundraiser, helping raise vital funds for brave patients. Your support of the Bandaged Bear Appeal makes it possible to continue providing world-class care and treatment to thousands of children every year.

All funds raised throughout the Appeal go towards purchasing the most advanced medical equipment, funding vital research and delivering services that are central to the wellbeing of patients and families.

Getting involved is easy, you can:

• Hold a fundraising event
• Purchase merchandise
• Volunteer
• Make a donation

World compliment day is the most positive day in the world. A true compliment must be genuine.

World Compliment Day simply addresses the basic human need for recognition and appreciation.

Participate this March in the most positive day of the year by:

• Handing out genuine compliments to people
• Raising awareness on social media
• Volunteering
• Participating in fundraisers around the world
• Keeping your #complimentday wish going

The National Family Drug Support Day aims to raise awareness of the services and the help that is needed for families to reduce the discrimination surrounding drug users and promote harm – reduction strategies.

The theme for 2017, ‘see the person not the drug’ allows societies to look beyond the stigma of drug use.

“The 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 21.5 million people aged 12 and older had a substance use disorder in the previous year; however, sadly only 2.5 million received the specialized treatment they needed.”

Fight back against drug use stigma this year by:

• Offering compassionate support
• Sharing your own stories
• Avoiding hurtful labels
• Doing your research
• Volunteering
• Participating in fundraisers

Do you know

“Only 43% of the almost 1,500 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year will survive.”

Ovarian Cancer Month is held in February to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.

With no early detection test, it is so important that women know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and their family history.

Some signs and symptoms include

• Abdominal or pelvic pain
• Increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating
• Needing to urinate often or urgently.
• Feeling full after eating a small amount

This February you can participate through events such as the afternoon teal campaign, teal ribbon day on the 24^th of February, hosting your own afternoon tea.

International Asperger’s Day

        18 February 2017

International Asperger’s Day is aiming to highlight the significance of Asperger’s Syndrome. It is one of the many challenges in understanding the autism spectrum.

“Recent survey results from the National Institute of Child Health and Mental Development estimate that 1 in 500 people (0.2% of the general population) have some form of Asperger’s Syndrome.”

As a community, we can raise awareness about Asperger’s syndrome through holding charity fundraisers, donating a small sum to Asperger Services Australia or increasing awareness on social media.

Childhood heart disease

Do you know?

• Childhood heart disease is the single biggest killer of children under the age of one in Australia.
• Eight babies are born with a heart defect in Australia every day. That is almost 3,000 every year.

This February is the time to support Australia’s little battlers in the fight against heart disease.

Get involved in the fight against heart disease by making a donation, volunteering with HeartKids Australia in events such as Sweetheart Day, participating in a fundraiser or simply raising awareness on social media.

National Wear Red Day is taking place on the day of hearts –

14 February, 2017 as part of Heart Research Month

Heart Research Australia National Wear Red Day is a chance for Australians to get together and raise money for a heartfelt cause. On average, one Australian dies as a result of heart disease every 26 minutes.

Wear something RED on 14 February 2017 for a small gold coin donation to help protect Australia’s hearts. You can choose to wear red socks, decorate your work space, classroom or home red, don a red ribbon, draw hearts on your cheeks; it’s entirely up to you how you wish to showcase Valentine’s Day as the true day of saving and loving your heart!

Kickstart a healthy new year!

“Did you know that according to new research, less than 1 in 4 Australians will be of healthy weight by 2031-32”

Being a healthy weight helps you to feel your best, and it’s never too late to start!

February is the perfect time to kick-start healthy eating habits, starting with polishing your cooking skills. This is your chance to make simple changes towards smart eating, starting with cooking at home and choosing the right portions.

Get involved this February by volunteering to run your own event or participating in the launch event at Pitt St. Mall, participating in the Instagram competition or even raising awareness on social media.

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

Female genital mutilation (FGM) reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, constituting an extreme form of discrimination against women and girls through procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

“Globally, it is estimated that at least 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone some form of female genital mutilation”

Get involved in enforcing basic human rights across the world through public awareness, charity fundraisers or simply hash tagging #End FGM.

World Cancer Day is a global event which aims to unite the world’s population in the fight against Cancer and save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about the disease.

“Currently, 8.2 million people die from cancer worldwide every year, out of which, 4 million people die prematurely (aged 30 to 69 years).”

Get involved in the fight against cancer. Show the world that

we can, I can….

Play sport this Saturday

Grab your gear (bat, ball, whatever)

Take a photo and share it with your message of support.