World Glaucoma week is held in March each year to raise awareness about glaucoma as a potentially blinding eye disease and to stress the importance of regular optic nerve checks. This is an issue which needs to be stressed as glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.

Over 300,000 Australians have glaucoma. While it is more common as people grow older, it can occur at any age. As our population becomes older, the proportion of glaucoma patients is increasing.

“One in eight Australians over 80 will develop glaucoma with 50% of these cases being undiagnosed”

Beat invisible Glaucoma this march by:

• Informing your friends and families of the risks of Glaucoma
• Register to hold a breakfast
• Become a Glaucoma ambassador
• Raise awareness on social media
• Make a donation

For more information, refer to: http://www.glaucoma.org.au/index.html

Orthoptics awareness week is an annual event in the Orthoptics Australia calendar. This week is when Orthoptists across Australia can promote the profession and the work Orthoptists do.

Orthoptists can take this opportunity to showcase the significant role the profession makes to eye health, raise the profile of the profession and campaign on behalf of the profession and the patients/clients to governments and policy makers.

OAW is a chance for Orthoptists to come together and unite in promoting the profession and what Orthoptists do for their patients and the ophthalmic community.

For more information: http://www.orthoptics.org.au/eventdetails/1410/orthoptics-awareness-week

This March, do something amazing #forsickkids by supporting the 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.

Get involved by:

• Holding a fundraising event
• Purchasing merchandise
• Volunteering
• Making a donation

For more information, visit: https://www.bandagedbear.org.au/events/bandaged-bear-appeal

Clean Up Australia Day works to inspire and work with communities to clean up, fix up and conserve the environment. This is an event aimed to encourage all Australians to take to their local park, beach, bushland or streets and help collect rubbish.

A cleaner Australia is the first step in ensuring maximum prosperity of the country.

Get involved this March by:

• Organising your own clean up
• Donating to the foundation
• Volunteering

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

Febfast aims to give individuals the tools and opportunity to reflect, change and break existing routines that inhibit wellness, starting with alcohol consumption. Febfast is Australia’s flagship fundraiser for young people living with serious disadvantages. From mental health issues, abuse and neglect, to not having a safe place to stay or relying on drugs to cope in this world, these young people face unimaginable journeys.

February is febfast month, a time set aside for giving up alcohol and sugar with the proceeds benefiting disadvantaged youth.

In 2014-15, 17.4% of adults aged 18 years and over consumed more than two standard drinks per day on average, exceeding the lifetime risk guideline. 

Get involved in the fight for better health by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• Volunteering
• Making a donation

For more information: http://www.febfast.org.au/

Many people are unaware of childhood heart disease (CHD) – and its prevalence in Australia. This February is the time to support Australia’s little battlers in the fight against heart disease. The month of February brings Valentine’s Day, so why not celebrate by helping a heart in need?

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.

Get involved in the fight against heart disease this February 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.

For more information, visit: 
https://www.heartkids.org.au/whats-on/show-your-heart-feb-2020

International Asperger’s Day falls on the 18^th of February, aiming to highlight the significance of Asperger’s Syndrome for both society and individuals, illustrating one of the many challenges in understanding the autism spectrum. Asperger’s syndrome is a
developmental disorder affecting an individual’s ability to effectively socialise and communicate.

“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.

For more information, visit:
https://www.asperger.asn.au/

Wear Red Day 2020 is a day designed to raise awareness and money for heart disease, life-saving research and help keep families together for longer.

On Valentine’s Day, the day of hearts, wear RED for someone close to your heart. Whether it’s a family member, wife, husband, or that special friend who means the world to you, or in memory of someone you loved who sadly passed away due to heart disease.

” Heart disease is a major cause of death in Australia. There were 43,477 deaths attributed to heart disease in Australia in 2017. This means that on average, 119 Australians die from heart disease each day, or one every 12 minutes.”

Get involved this February by:

• Wearing red clothing and showing your support
• Making a donation
• Volunteering
• Organising a fundraiser

For more information, visit:
https://www.heartresearch.com.au/wrd/

Each year in Australia, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is held in February to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and to provide support to the women and their families and friends affected by ovarian cancer.

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

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, hosting your own afternoon tea or purchasing teal ribbons and pens.

For more information, visit:
https://ovariancancer.net.au/ovarian-cancer-awareness-month/