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

Blue Knot Day is an Australian national day on which Blue Knot Foundation calls on all Australians to unite in support of the more than 5 million Australian adults who have experienced complex trauma.

The tangled knot in the Blue Knot Day logo symbolises the complexity of childhood trauma, with blue representing the colour of the sky and a clear blue sky providing the space for new possibilities.

Blue Knot Day is an opportunity for all Australians to unite and untangle the knot and complexities of trauma and abuse to support the recovery, resilience and empowerment of survivors.

Get involved this October by:

• By holding an event in your workplace or community
• Sharing through social media
• Purchasing Blue Knot Foundation merchandise
• Making a donation

For more information, visit: https://blueknot.org.au/get-involved/blue-knot-day/

ONE DAY: ONE FOCUS: ENDING POLIO 

Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. Most know it as polio virus. The virus is spread from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine.

Cases due to wild poliovirus have decreased by over 99% since 1988, from an estimated 350 000 cases then, to 33 reported cases in 2018. (WHO)

Once polio is eradicated, the world can celebrate the delivery of a major global public good that will benefit all people equally, no matter where they live.

Get invovled this October by:

• Volunteering with the organisation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• Making a donation

For more information, visit: https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day andhttps://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/poliomyelitis

World Osteoporosis Day is an initiative designed to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining good bone health. Osteoporosis causes bones to break easily becoming weak and fragile.

Even something like a minor fall, a bump, a sneeze, or a sudden movement could cause a break. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can cause major pain, long-term disability and life-threatening situations.

With over 1 million Australian’s affected by osteoporosis, it impacts both men and women and most commonly occurs in those over 50. Early detection is important in order to help manage bone health and prevent fractures.

To get involved this October:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Donate to the foundation
• Volunteer
• Check your osteoporosis risk with your GP

For more information, visit: 
http://worldosteoporosisday.org/
https://www.osteoporosis.org.au/world-osteoporosis-day

It’s our national day of action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to  ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation whenever they spot the signs that someone they care about might be struggling with life.

R U OK? is a harm prevention charity that encourages people to  stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives. Their work focuses on building motivation, confidence and skills as a person who can have a meaningful conversation with someone who is struggling with life.

R U OK? contributes to suicide prevention efforts by encouraging  people to invest more time in their  personal relationships and building the capacity of informal support networks – friends, family and colleagues – to be alert to those around them, have a conversation if they identify signs of distress or difficulty and connect someone to appropriate support, long before they’re in crisis.

Get involved this September by:

• Starting a conversation with friends and family
• Hosting an event
• Fundraising at work or in the community
• Volunteering with the organisation

For more information, visit:
https://www.ruok.org.au/join-r-u-ok-day

Women’s Health Week strives to encourage women to check in on their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. This week is dedicated to good health and wellbeing for women, girls, and gender diverse people.

Women’s Health Week is a nation-wide campaign of events and online activities dedicated to improving women’s health and centred on helping individuals to make healthier life choices.

Get involved this September by:

• Hosting a fundraiser
• Getting your workplace involved
• Spreading the word to friends and family
• Looking after your own health

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

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a lifelong, genetic disease, that worsens over time as fluid-filled cysts form and enlarge both kidneys, often leading to kidney failure. Though PKD affects more than 25 thousand Australians and millions worldwide, many people have never heard of this disease. Together, we can change that! The more people that know about PKD, the closer we can get to additional treatments and a cure.

Get involved with PDK Awareness Day this year by:

• Making a donation
• Learning more about polycystic kidney disease
• Spreading awareness on social media

For more information, visit: https://pkdaustralia.org/pkd-awareness-day/