National Diabetes Week 2020 kicks off on 12th July and runs until 18th July.

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

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
• Informing the community of the symptoms
• Donating

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

JulEye is a public campaign to raise awareness about eye diseases. JulEye aims to raise community awareness of eye health issues and raise funding for domestic and international vision research projects.

“Approximately 90% of blindness and vision impairment in all Australians is preventable or treatable if detected early. ”

Get involved this July by:

• Making a $1 difference
• Volunteering
• Organising a fundraiser
• Showing support on social media
• Informing the community of the campaign

For more information, visit: https://ranzco.edu/home/foundation/juleye/

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

“Sarcomas are rare cancers and occur in approximately 1% of the Australian population. However, it is still an alarming issue which needs attention.”

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
https://www.curesarcoma.org/sarcoma-awareness-month/

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 are predicted to be diagnosed with cancer.

Funds raised through Dry July go towards cancer support organisations across Australia, to help improve patient comfort, care and well being.

To get involved:

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

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

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.

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/

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking falls on June 26 each year to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society. This day is supported by individuals, communities and various organizations all over the world.

According to the UNODC, over 250 million people are using illicit drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates and sedative hypnotics worldwide.

To get involved:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Inform the community
• Organise a fundraiser

For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/en/events/drugabuseday/

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a global problem. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity or demographic.

June 21 is a solstice – a turning point – and each year the MND foundation undertake a range of activities to express their hope that this day will be another turning point in the search for cause, treatment and cure of MND.

It is a devastating disease that affects over 350,000 of the world’s population, and kills over 100,000 people every year.

• Volunteering with the foundation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing family and friends

For more information, visit: 
https://www.mndresearch.org.au/MND-Australia-archive/Global-Day.aspx

Men’s Health Week, June 15-21, is aimed at raising awareness of preventable health problems and promoting early detection and treatment of diseases for boys and men. This week also provides a platform for discussing and debating key issues surrounding men’s health.

“In 2017, males accounted for 3 in 5 (62%) premature deaths.”

Improving men’s health outcomes requires involvement from both medical services and men, women, and families too. A collaborative approach can create an environment that supports men in their ability to access healthcare effectively .

Get involved this June by:

• Raising awareness on social platforms
• Registering a virtual event
• Making a donation

For more information visit:
http://www.menshealthweek.org.au/about
http://www.menshealthmonth.org/week.html

A highlight of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is Red Apple Day (Wednesday, 17 June 2020), when Australians are encouraged to support the vital work of Bowel Cancer Australia through organising apple themed fundraising activities.

Bowel cancer claims the lives of 103 Australians every week (5,375 people a year) – but it’s one of the most treatable types of cancer if found early.

Get involved this June by:

• Organising a fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media
• Purchasing merchandise

For more information, visit:
https://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/bowel-cancer-awareness-month#RedAppleDay

This is a day designed to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure the quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients in need. These donations can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer and with a higher quality of life

Transfusion of blood and blood products helps save millions of lives every year.

To get involved in this initiative:

• Volunteer to make a blood donation
• Raise awareness on social media
• Organise a blood donation drive
• Inform your family and community members

For more information, visit:
https://www.who.int/news-room/campaigns/world-blood-donor-day