Category Archives: Waitara Medical News

Waitara Family Medical Practice aims to keep the local community as healthy as possible. We will be posting relevant medical centre news and GP advice.

Stress Down Day – 24 July 2021

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Stress Down Day falls on 24th July, and is an initiative designed to raise important funds for Lifeline Australia. The funds raised contribute to Lifeline’s crisis support services, aimed at encouraging help seeking and awareness of suicide prevention.

“Research shows that 90% of Australians need to stress less – with 74% of people reporting being stressed from work. ”

Get involved this July by:

  • Managing your well-being
  • Making a donation
  • Organising a fundraiser at work
  • Volunteering with the organisation
  • Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit:https://www.lifeline.org.au/support-lifeline/lifeline-campaigns/campaigns

NATIONAL PYJAMA DAY – 23 JULY 2021

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National Pyjama Day is on July 23,  jump into your favourite PJ’s and help raise vital funds for children in foster care. Together, we can support little kids with BIG dreams.

In 2015 there were 43,399 children under 18 living in various types of foster care. Just ten years earlier there were 25,454. The numbers have nearly doubled. (1)

The aim of of the day is to raise as much funds as possible for The Pyjama Foundation’s Love of Learning Program which is offered to children in foster care. Supporting the Pyjama Foundation allows them to not only support children in foster care, but inspire them with learning, life skills, and confidence.

Get involved this July by:

  • Hosting a Pyjama Day
  • Making a donation
  • Volunteering with the foundation
  • Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit: https://www.nationalpyjamaday.com/

National Farm Safety Week: 18-24 July 2021

National Farm Safety Week has been running for over 20 years, and aims to raise awareness of farm safety issues nationwide with a goal of reducing risk of injury in the agricultural industry. Farmsafe Australia uses this week to advocate for improvements in available information on hazards, risk factors and safety solutions, striving to bring farming communities together to work on reducing risk of injury in the agricultural industry.

“Around 20 children under 15 years are fatally injured on an Australian farm every year and many more are hospitalised or treated by General Practitioners across rural Australia.”

Get involved this July by:

  • Raising awareness on social media
  • Learning how to be safe on Australian farms
  • Sharing safety information with others

For more information, visit: https://farmsafe.org.au/national-farm-safety-week

NSW School Vaccination Program

NSW Health works in partnership with schools to offer the vaccines recommended for adolescents in a school-based vaccination program. These are essential vaccines that allow optimum individual health as well as public health.

These vaccines are given at school through parental permission; however, if your child is absent on the day, parents are advised that free catch-up vaccination is available at their local GP during the school year only.

For more information, visit: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/schoolvaccination.aspx.

To check your immunisation records or request a vaccine, book an appointment with Waitara Family Medical reception on (02) 8038 1070.

National Diabetes Week: 11-17 July 2021

National Diabetes Week 2020 kicks off on 11th July and runs until 17th July.

Diabetes is a serious complex condition which can have a significant impact on quality of life and can reduce life expectancy. While there is currently no cure for diabetes, one can live an enjoyable life by learning about the condition and managing it effectively .

“280 Australians develop diabetes every day. That’s one person every five minutes.” (1)

Too many Australians are being diagnosed with diabetes too late. This is true for both Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. The delay in diagnosis is putting many people at risk of major life threatening health problems.

Get involved this July by:

  • Volunteering
  • Raising awareness on social media
  • Speaking with your GP if you have any concerns
  • Making a donation

For more information, visit: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/news-resources/current-campaigns/national-diabetes-week/

Sarcoma Awareness Month – July 2021

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July is Sarcoma Awareness Month, designed to create public awareness of sarcoma and stand in solidarity with the sarcoma community. Sarcoma is a rare and complicated cancer arising from the bone, cartilage or soft tissue and can occur anywhere in the body.

“In 2016, there were 1,616 new cases of soft tissue sarcoma diagnosed in Australia… In 2020, it is estimated that 1,840 new cases of soft tissue sarcoma will be diagnosed in Australia.” (1)

Get involved this July by:

  • Making a donation
  • Fundraising through an activity
  • Volunteering
  • Raising awareness in the community
  • Gathering support on social media

For more information, visit:
https://sarcoma.org.au/news/events/july-is-sarcoma-awareness-month

Dry July 2021 Raise Funds for Cancer

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Dry July is a campaign designed to raise awareness for cancer through encouraging individuals to go without alcohol for the month of July to raise funds for cancer patients and their families.

“In July, an average of 11,526 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer.” (1)

Funds raised through Dry July go towards cancer support organisations across Australia, to help improve patient comfort, care and well being. Having a Dry July also has great personal health benefits!

To get involved this July:

  • Sign up for the challenge to go alcohol free in July
  • Ask family and friends to sponsor you
  • Make a donation to someone completing Dry July
  • Raise awareness on social media

For more information, visit: 
https://www.dryjuly.com/

World Scleroderma Day – 29th June 2021

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Scleroderma, also known as Systemic Sclerosis, is a rare autoimmune disease that turns simple daily activities into real challenges. June 29 is World Scleroderma Day, an initiative to raise awareness about the severeness of this disease.

Scleroderma is a chronic disease of the connective tissue, immune and vascular systems, and presents a major diagnostic and management problem for patients and their physicians. It is life-threatening and currently has no cure.

Anyone can develop scleroderma, but it is more common between the ages of 30 and 60, and three times more likely in females. There are estimated to be over 5,000 Australians living with scleroderma.” (1)

Get involved this June by:

  • Raising awareness on social media
  • Making a donation to the foundation
  • Volunteering

For more information, visit: 
https://www.sclerodermaaustralia.com.au/
http://worldsclerodermaday.org/

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illict Trafficking – 26th June 2021

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The United Nations’ (UN) International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking falls on June 26th each year to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society. This day is supported by individuals, communities and various organisations all over the world to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

“Around 269 million people used drugs worldwide in 2018, which is 30 per cent more than in 2009, while over 35 million people suffer from drug use disorders, according to the latest World Drug Report.”

To get involved this June:

  • Raise awareness on social media
  • Talk to family and friends about this day
  • Learn more about this day

For more information, visit: https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-drug-abuse-day