Purple Day 2018 – Epilepsy 

Throughout March, Epilepsy Australia is urging people around the country to end the stigma and discrimination of epilepsy and ‘GO PURPLE’, the international colour for epilepsy. Epilepsy is a common brain disorder which takes the form of recurring seizures.

“An estimated 65 million worldwide currently live with epilepsy – in Australia alone approximately 250,000 people live with epilepsy and one in 25 people will have epilepsy at some point in their life.”

Get involved this March by:

• Informing family and community members about epilepsy
• Hosting a purple day fundraiser
• Buying merchandise which donates money to epilepsy Australia
• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media using #gopurple

For more details, visit: http://www.epilepsyaustralia.net/get-involved/

World Down Syndrome Day 2018

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), 21 March, is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.

Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics or health. Adequate access to health care, to early intervention programmes and to inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of the individual.

“The population of people with Down syndrome in Australia is now over 13,000.”

Get involved this March by:

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

For more information, visit:  https://worlddownsyndromeday.org/about-wdsd

World’s Greatest Shave 2018

Every hour somebody in Australia is diagnosed with lymphoma, myeloma or leukaemia. Every second hour, somebody dies from one of these diseases.

The World’s greatest shave has raised in excess of $120 million since 1998, and uses the raised funds to support patients and families living with these blood disorders.

20 years on it remains one of Australia’s biggest fundraising events.

Blood cancer in the third most common cause of cancer death in Australia, claiming more lives than breast cancer or melanoma. And every day another 35 people will be diagnosed.

Support the cause this March by:

• Participating in the fundraiser by shaving, colouring or waxing your hair
• Donating to the foundation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Volunteering with the foundation

For more information, visit: https://worldsgreatestshave.com/

World Glaucoma Week 2018

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

Coeliac Awareness Week 2018

Coeliac Awareness Week is a campaign which aims to reach the many thousands of Australians unaware they are living with coeliac disease and help them identify the symptoms and take steps towards diagnosis and treatment.

“Coeliac disease is a serious medical illness, affecting 1 in 70 of the population. However, 80 per cent of affected Australians remain undiagnosed.”

Get involved this March by:

• Displaying posters in your local area
• Reading online resources
• Informing family members and friends of the harms
• Creating awareness on social media
• Organising your own fundraiser

For more information: http://www.coeliac.org.au/caw/

Could you perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) in an emergency?

For more information, visit

https://www.cprcertified.com/how-to-perform-cpr-infographic

Bandaged Bear Appeal 2018

This March, do something amazing #forsickkids by supporting the 29th 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: http://www.bandagedbear.org.au/help-us/bba-appeal

Clean Up Australia Day 2018

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/

Teal Ribbon Day 2018 – Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month 

Teal is the international colour for ovarian cancer awareness. On Teal Ribbon Day, all Australians are encouraged  to purchase and wear a Teal Ribbon to raise awareness of ovarian cancer; show your support for the women, and their families, who are living with the disease; and to remember those who have died.

In 2014, there were 974 deaths from ovarian cancer in Australia. In 2017, it was estimated to have increased to 1,047 deaths.

With no early detection test, it is 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.

Participate this February by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• Hosting your own afternoon tea
• Volunteering
• Donating

For more information, visit: https://ovariancancer.net.au/teal-ribbon-day/

Hearing Awareness Week 2018

Hearing awareness week is an initiative to inform society of the benefits of good hearing and avoiding hearing impairment or deafness.

One in six Australians is hearing impaired, deaf or has an ear disorder.

Ensure proper care of your ears to allow prosperous and active hearing.

To get involved:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Volunteer
• Organise a fundraiser
• Make a donation

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