Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years.

Every day, more than 5 million people worldwide struggle with the often debilitating health consequences of lupus, a potentially fatal autoimmune disease . Lupus affects people in all parts of the world. While some groups of people develop lupus more frequently than others, lupus develops in people of all ages, races, ethnicities and genders.

Get involved by :

• Participate in the World Lupus Day social media campaign .
• Wear your favorite purple items on May 10 to raise awareness.

For more information : https://worldlupusday.org

The International Thalassaemia Day 2023 highlights the empowering force of education and its association with appropriate and quality care of this disorder.

International Thalassaemia Day (ITD) 2023 is
“Be Aware. Share. Care: Strengthening Education to Bridge the Thalassaemia Care Gap.’’

Thalassaemia affects about 300 million people worldwide, with about 500,000 having a severe form of the disease.

80% of these people live in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) and face many and multiple unmet needs and persisting challenges with regards to the health, social and other care they receive.

To get involved :

• Donate to the foundation
• Raise awareness on social media
• Host an event
• Volunteer

For more information, visit:  https://thalassaemia.org.cy/

World Asthma Day (WAD) (May 2, 2023) is organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma, (GINA) (www.ginasthma.org), a World Health Organization collaborative organization founded in 1993. WAD is held each May to raise awareness of Asthma worldwide.

GINA has chosen “Asthma care for All” as the theme for the 2023 World Asthma Day.

Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Asthma is caused by environmental and genetic factors.

To get involved with Asthma Day :

• Donate to the foundation
• Raise awareness on social media
• Host an event
• Volunteer

For more information, visit :https://ginasthma.org/world-asthma-day-2023/

World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an international campaign to promote safe and healthy work ethics. These are crucial in moving ahead in our fast paced society to maintain quality of life and working standards.

The annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. It is an awareness-raising campaign intended to focus international attention on the magnitude of the problem and on how promoting and creating a safety and health culture can help reduce the number of work-related deaths and injuries.

Get involved this April by:

• Learning about the safety and healthy protocols
• Donating to the foundation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing family and friends of importance of health and satefy at work

For more information, visit: https://www.un.org/en/observances/work-safety-day

ANZAC’ stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. 

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served”.

On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. These became known as Anzacs and the pride they took in that name continues to this day. 

Lest we forget.

For more information, visit: https://www.army.gov.au/our-heritage/traditions/anzac-day

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans. People who get malaria are typically very sick with high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like illness. Although malaria can be a deadly disease, illness and death from malaria can usually be prevented.

World Malaria Day is a chance to shine a spotlight on the global effort to control malaria. It highlights the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control. Malaria remains both a major cause and a consequence of global poverty and inequity.

Fight against malaria this April by:

• Raising awareness on social media using #EndMalaria
• Donating to the foundation
• Organising your own fundraiser
• Educating family and friends on the dangers of malaria

For more information, visit: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-malaria-day

Every year on 17 April World Haemophilia Day is recognised worldwide to increase awareness of haemophilia, von Willebrand disease and other inherited bleeding disorders. This is a critical effort since with increased awareness comes better diagnosis and access to care for the millions who remain without treatment.
Specialised treatment is needed to help blood clot normally. With appropriate treatment haemophilia can be managed effectively.

The theme this year is “Access for All: “PREVENTION OF BLEEDS AS THE GLOBAL STANDARD OF CARE “

By raising awareness and bringing hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders to the attention of policymakers, sustainable and equitable access to care and treatment can be increased.

Get involved this April by:

• Spreading awareness on social media
• Educating family and friends
• Making a donation to global advocacy efforts

For more information, visit: https://www.wfh.org/en/events/world-hemophilia-day

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects a person’s control of their body movements.  Parkinson’s disease is degenerating and often life threatening, requiring an immediate stop.

Few Invisible symptoms of parkinson’s :

• Impulse control disorder
• Hallucination
• Fatigue
• Pain
• Sleep difficulties

• A diagnosis can occur at any age with the most common age of 65.
• 10% of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s are under the age of 45.
• There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but there are effective treatment and therapy options that can help manage symptoms, so people with Parkinson’s disease can continue to enjoy many years of independent and productive lives.

To promote awareness on Parkinson’s disease, get involved this April by:

• Organising a fundraiser event
• Raising awareness on social media
• Making a donation
• Spreading information about Parkinson’s disease amongst family members

For more information, visit:
https://www.parkinsonsnsw.org.au/support-us/world-parkinsons-day

Waitara Medical would like to wish everyone

Safe and Happy Easter for 2022!

Waitara Family Medical Practice will be closed from Friday 7 April – Monday 10 April.

The Practice will reopen on Tuesday 11 April 8am.

To make an appointment, please contact Reception on 02 8038 1070 or book online at Waitara Family MedicalPractice website.

World Autism Awareness Day is a worldwide initiative aiming to increase understanding of the disability. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterised by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.

• Autism affects all ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
• Minority groups tend to be diagnosed later and less often.
• Early intervention affords the best opportunity to support healthy development and deliver benefits across the lifespan.

Show your support this April by:

• Wearing blue
• Volunteering with the foundation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Fundraising
• Informing family and friends of the disability

For more details, visit: https://www.autismspeaks.org/world-autism-awareness-day