World COPD Day is a worldwide campaign aimed at raising awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and improve COPD care throughout the world. The 2021 theme for World COPD Day will be “Healthy Lungs – Never More Important” and take place on November 17th.

This year’s aim is to highlight that the burden of COPD remains, in spite of the ongoing global COVID pandemic.  Even in light of COVID,  COPD remains a leading cause of death worldwide – there is never a more important time to focus on lung health!

Keeping your lungs healthy can include

• Avoiding cigarettes, air pollution or occupational exposures
• Staying active either through regular physical activity or pulmonary rehab
•  In addition, receiving important vaccines,
• Keeping medical appointments and taking medications correctly can help keep your lungs healthy!

For more information visit: https://goldcopd.org/

With 2 in 3 Australians diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70, the action week is an important reminder of the risks of exposure to UV radiation, the need for sun protection and early skin cancer detection for all Australians.

Did you know:

• More than 2,000 people in Australia die from skin cancer each year.
• Cancer Council estimates that Australia spends more than $1 billion per year treating skin cancer.
• Every 4 minutes another Australian is diagnosed with skin cancer.
• Most skin cancers can be prevented by the use of good sun protection.
• Surveys show that one in four (26%) of teenagers between the age of 12-17 get sunburnt on summer weekends.
• Despite many Australians referring to a “healthy tan”, a tan is not a sign of good health or well being. In fact, tanning is a sign that you have been exposed to enough UV radiation to damage your skin. This will eventually cause premature aging – including sun spots, wrinkles and sagging, and increases your risk of skin cancer.

Make the pledge today to protect yourself from UV radiation and abstain from tanning.

During National Skin Cancer Action Week and throughout summer, use the five forms of sun protection by:

• slip on sun-protective clothing
• slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
• slap on a broad-brimmed hat
• seek shade
• slide on sunglasses.

A combination of these measures, along with getting to know your skin and regularly checking for any changes, are the keys to reducing your skin cancer risk.

For more information, please visit:
https://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/campaigns-and-events/national-skin-cancer-action-week.html

World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. WDD draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public and political spotlight.

463 million adults (1 in 11) were living with diabetes in 2019. 1 in 2 adults with diabetes remain undiagnosed (232 million) – the majority have type 2 diabetes. (WDD)

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2021-23 is Access to Diabetes Care– If Not Now, When?. Fundamental components of diabetes care include:

• Access to insulin
• Access to oral medicines
• Acess to self-monitoring
• Access to education and psychological support
• Access to healthy food and a safe place to exercise

Get involved this November by:

• Sharing the WDD campaign messages
• Engaging a local or national policy-maker to ensure that all people with diabetes have access to the care they need
• Organising a ‘Learn about diabetes’ event in your workplace

For more information, visit: https://worlddiabetesday.org/about/

World NET Cancer Day is celebrated on the 10th of November and aims to raise awareness of all types of Neuroendocrine cancers (NETs) and provide a voice for those affected by NETs. Neuroendocrine tumors is the umbrella term for a group of unusual cancers which develop from cells in the endocrine system.

There is an estimated 5178 new cases of NETs diagnosed in 2021 throughout Australia.

NETs can affect individuals of any age, and can be slow-growing or very aggressive, which is why it is important to draw attention to this uncommon form of cancer and start a global conversation involving medical professionals, communities and governments.

Get involved this November by:

• Joining a support group
• Donating to the foundation
• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser

For more  information, visit:
https://incalliance.org/net-cancer-day/

National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week 2021 will be held November 8-14 2021. The theme of the week will build on last year’s message and encourage women aged 25-72 that it is “Time to Catch Up”.

With the uncertainty and impact of the pandemic, more and more women (and those with a cervix) have fallen behind in keeping up-to-date with their Cervical Screening this year.

The hope is to raise awareness during 8-14 November 2021 that will build on the World Health Organisation’s Vision of a world where cervical cancer is eliminated as a public health problem by 2030.

An estimated 913 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in 2021. (1)

To get involved this November:

• Buy a ticket to their virtual screening of Conquering Cancer
• Sign up as a Community Champion to help raise awareness
• Paint your nails orange to show support and share a picture on social media
• Inform family and friends to raise awareness

For more information, visit: https://accf.org.au/about-us/campaigns/cervical-cancer-awareness-week-2021/

Perinatal Mental Health Week is run by Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) and aims to raise awareness about perinatal anxiety and depression, including signs to look for and where to go to seek support.

Perinatal Mental Health Week is about enabling people who face unique challenges in becoming parents to access the support they need for their mental wellbeing and provide the tools all expecting and new parents in order to successfully find support for their mental wellbeing.

Get involved this November by:

• Encouraging open and honest conversations about the mental health of expecting and new parents in your community or workplace
• Raising awareness on social media
• Volunteering with the organisation
• Hosting a PANDA event to raise funds or making a donation

For more information, visit:
https://www.panda.org.au/awareness/panda-week

The Movember Foundation is the leading global health organisation committed to changing the face of men’s health, with the goal of preventing suicide in men, improving quality of life for men with prostate and testicular cancer, helping men take action in their health, raising funds during Movember, and having an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.

Globally, men die on average 6 years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons.

Be a part of groundbreaking change and support ‘The Movember Foundation’ to address the crisis at a global level. By ensuring men have the information, tools and resources to look after their health they can live life to the fullest.

To get involved:

• Donate to the foundation
• Grow a moustache to show your support
• Organise a fundraiser
• Raise awareness on social media

For more information: https://au.movember.com/

National Bandanna Day is held every year on the last Friday in October. It is the flagship fundraising and awareness campaign for Canteen who aim to support young people impacted by cancer. Canteen helps support young people affected by cancer get access to programs, counselling and peer support.

Get involved this October by:

• Selling or purchasing bandannas
• Raising awareness on social media
• Making a donation
• Volunteering with the organisation
• Hosting a fundraising event

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

Blue Knot Day is an Australian national day on which Blue Knot Foundation calls on all Australians to unite in support of the more than 5 million Australian adults who have experienced complex trauma.

The tangled knot in the Blue Knot Day logo symbolises the complexity of childhood trauma, with blue representing the colour of the sky and a clear blue sky providing the space for new possibilities.

Blue Knot Day is an opportunity for all Australians to unite and untangle the knot and complexities of trauma and abuse to support the recovery, resilience and empowerment of survivors.

Get involved this October by:

• By holding an event in your workplace or community
• Sharing through social media
• Purchasing Blue Knot Foundation merchandise
• Making a donation

For more information, visit: https://blueknot.org.au/get-involved/blue-knot-day/