Harmony Week is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into communities. This week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

“Nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was.” (ABS 2016 Census)

Everyone can get involved this March by:

• Communicating the importance of cultural diversity
• Encouraging the values of respect, equality and freedom
• Promoting harmony in the workplace, at home and in schools

For more information, visit: https://www.harmony.gov.au/

Coeliac Awareness Week is a campaign which aims to reach many thousands of Australians unaware they are living with coeliac disease and help them identify the symptoms and take steps towards diagnosis and treatment. This year it takes place 13-20th March.

“Coeliac disease affects on average approximately 1 in 70 Australians. However, around 80% of this number remain undiagnosed.”

In people with coeliac disease, the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats), causing small bowel damage. Coeliac disease can develop at any age and affects both men and women.

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, visit: http://www.coeliac.org.au/caw/

Kidney disease currently affects around 850 million people worldwide. One in ten adults has chronic kidney disease (CKD). Being diagnosed with kidney disease can be a huge challenge, both for the patient and those people around them.

This year World Kidney Day continues to raise awareness of the increasing burden of kidney diseases worldwide and to strive for kidney health for everyone, everywhere. 2021 theme is “Living Well with Kidney Disease” to increase education and awareness about effective symptom management and patient empowerment, with the ultimate goal of encouraging life participation.

Get involved this March by:

• Educating friends and family on the importance of kidney health
• Spreading awareness on social media
• Making a donation

For more information, visit: https://www.worldkidneyday.org/about/world-kidney-day/

World Glaucoma week runs from 7-13th March this year. It is an important opportunity 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.

“Every one in 200 people aged 40 have glaucoma, which rises to one in eight by age 80.”

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, visit: https://www.worldglaucomaweek.org/about-world-glaucoma-week/

This year Clean Up Australia Day falls on Sunday 7th March. It provides an opportunity to inspire communities and encourage combined action 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 an important 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/

World Hearing Day falls on 3rd March each year and is a
global call for action to address hearing loss and ear diseases. This year, the theme is Hearing care for ALL! Screen. Rehabilitate. Communicate.

“Around 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, and 34 million of these are children.”

Key messages World Hearing Day aims to highlight include:

• Good hearing and communication are important at all stages of life.
• Hearing loss can be avoided through preventative actions such as: protection against loud sounds; and good ear care practices.
• People at risk of hearing loss should check their hearing regularly.
• People experiencing hearing loss should seek care from a health care provider .

For more information, visit: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2021/03/03/default-calendar/world-hearing-day-2021-hearing-care-for-all

‘March into yellow’ is a campaign designed to raise awareness for women with endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common disease in which the tissue that is similar to the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body.

“More than 830,000 (more than 11%) of Australian women suffer from endometriosis at some point in their life with the disease often starting in teenagers.”

Show your support this March by:

• Taking pictures of your yellow challenges and post them on your social media accounts using #MarchintoYellow #endoaustralia
• Inform family and friends of the cause
• Donate to Endometriosis Australia
• Join the community group
• Volunteer with an Endometriosis Australia event

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

Sweetheart Day is an annual event held on 14 February 2021. It is also known as International Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Day. The day is designed to raise awareness and funds to support the 8 babies born everyday with a heart defect. That is one every three hours.

Despite being a serious life-threatening condition, over 65,000 Australian babies, children and adults are currently living with CHD, yet they continue to face unique challenges for the rest of their lives, including repeated heart surgeries and ongoing medical treatment.

Get involved this February by:

• Organising a fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media
• Making a donation to help HeartKids reach their goal

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

Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases known to humankind. It is also known as Hansen’s disease. The aim of this day is to raise awareness of a disease that many people believe to be extinct.

Around 210,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, and millions more people are living undiagnosed.

The aim of World Leprosy Day is to change this attitude and increase public awareness of the fact that leprosy can now be easily prevented and cured.

Get involved this January by:

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

For more information, visit: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/world-leprosy-day.

Waitara Family Medical Practice wishes you and your family a Happy Australia Day 2021!