A disease is considered rare when it affects fewer than 1 in 2000 people. Rare Disease Day is a globally-coordinated movement, working towards equity in social opportunity, healthcare, and access to diagnosis and therapies for people living with a rare disease. Raising awareness and generating change for the 300 million people worldwide living with a rare disease, their families and carers.

Those living with a rare disease face many challenges, including:

• Difficulties in access to treatment and care, often resulting in heavy social and financial burdens on patients.
• A lack of scientific knowledge and quality information on the disease, often resulting in delays in diagnosis.
• Instances of misdiagnosis.

Get involved with Rare Disease Day by:

• Spreading awareness of the event
• Making a donation
• Joining or hosting a local event

For more information, visit:
https://www.rarediseaseday.org/what-is-a-rare-disease/

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers—having a Cervical Screening Test every 5 years allows for early prevention and detection. Since the National Screening Program began in 1991, incidence and death from cervical cancer has halved in Australia.

A Cervical Screening Test prevents cervical cancer by detecting the human papillomavirus (HPV). Screening identifies women at risk of eventually developing cervical cancer, so they can be monitored and treated accordingly.

Call Waitara Family Medical Practice Reception on 02 8038 1070 to book a suitable time with the GP.

For more information about cervical screening, visit: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/screening-and-early-detection/cervical-screening

International Asperger’s Day aims to highlight the significance of Asperger’s Syndrome for both society and individuals. Asperger’s Syndrome falls within the Autism Spectrum, a key difference is that people with Asperger’s Syndrome typically do not experience a delay in language development. People on the spectrum often find it difficult to read and reciprocate social signals such as body language, facial expressions, and eye contact. As a result, they may find it hard to communicate and interact with others.

Asperger Services Australia promote International Asperger’s Day. Asperger Services Australia offer information and support relating to Asperger’s Syndrome inlcuding peer support groups, life skill programs, and peer mentoring.

Get involved with International Asperger’s Day by:

• Raising awareness in the community or on social media
• Volunteering with Asperger Services Australia
• Making a donation
• Becoming a member with the organisation

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

Sweetheart Day is an annual event held on 14 February each year. It is also known as International Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Day. The day is designed to raise awareness and funds to support babies born each day with heart defects.

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/

Red Feb encourages everyone to get involved by wearing red to help raise awareness about heart disease and raise money for research.

Heart disease is an umbrella term for range of conditions that affect the heart. Diseases can include blood vessel diseases, such as coronary artery disease; heart rhythm problems; and heart defects people are born with, among others.

Get involved this February by:

• Wearing red clothing and showing your support
• Making a donation or organising a fundraiser
• Volunteering
• Raising awareness about heart disease

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

Tinnitus Awareness Week designed to educate the public about the symptoms of tinnitus and how it affects people. Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ear.

15 to 20 percent of people experience tinnitus.

• Tinnitus affects nearly 45 million people.
• Objective tinnitus may or may not be audible to a person, but it’s audible to a person with a stethoscope.
• Subjective tinnitus is audible only to the person that has it and it’s the most common form.

Tinnitus itself is not a condition, but a symptom of an underlying condition. These can be age-related, related to hearing loss, ear injury, or a circulatory system disorder. The symptoms include ringing, buzzing, clicking, roaring, hissing, or humming in the ear and it varies depending on the person.

Get involved with Tinnitus Awareness Week by:

• Spreading awareness about tinnitus with family and friends
• Learn more about tinnitus such as how it impacts society, how it can be managed, and current research
• Spreading awareness of the Week on social media

For more information, visit: https://nationaltoday.com/tinnitus-awareness-week/ and https://www.deafnessforum.org.au/tinnitus-week/

Feeding Tube Awareness Week is an opportunity to increase awareness and understanding in the greater community and highlight some of the challenges faced and day-to-day impact on individuals, carers and families.

There are many reasons why babies, children or adults may require a feeding tube. This week is about bringing everyone together who has a feeding tube, whatever the reason may be. Tube feeding is a way for the body to get food if an individual is unable to eat or unable to eat enough. Food in liquid form is given through a tube into the stomach or small intestine.

Get involved with Feeding Tube Awareness Week by showing your support and helping spread awareness with friends and family and on social media.

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

World Cancer Day, every 4 February, is the global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). World Cancer Day provides an opportunity each year to raise worldwide awareness, improve education, and inspire individual and collective action against cancer.

Get involved with World Cancer Day this year by:

• Participating in activities for World Cancer Day
• Volunteering with the organisation
• Making a donation related to cancer research or services

For more information, visit: https://www.worldcancerday.org/

February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, held each year to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, to share the stories of real women affected by the disease, to highlight the risk factors for ovarian cancer and educate Australians on ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Ovarian cancer is a disease where some of the cells in one or both ovaries start to grow abnormally and develop into cancer. With no early detection test, it is so important that women know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and their family history. The most commonly reported symptoms according to Ovarian Cancer Australia can include:

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

Get involved with Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month this February by:

• Educating yourself and spreading awareness about ovarian cancer
• Making a donation or purchasing merchandise to raise funds
• Volunteering or organising a fundraising campaign
• Speaking with your GP if you have any questions

For more information, visit: https://www.ovariancancer.net.au/page/155/ovarian-cancer-awareness-month

World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday in January to raise awareness of a disease that many people believe to be extinct. A key goal of World Leprosy Day is to increase public understanding of Hansen’s disease and tackle the social stigma attached to this completely curable disease.

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease. Leprosy is curable, and treatment in the early stages can prevent disability. Education and improving access to basic health services for all are keys to successful elimination of stigma and disability associated with the illness.

Get involved with World Leprosy Day by:

• Educating yourself and others about Hansen’s disease and sharing that leprosy is a curable illness
• Helping depict a positive image of leprosy and increase awareness about it in your community
• Getting involved in World Leprosy Day activities

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