Dystonia awareness month is designed to inform the community of the spreading condition and urge the community to join in helping those which are affected. Dystonia is a Neurological Movement Condition which affects adults and children. It can affect any part of the body and causes muscles to contract or spasm. This may cause pain, tremors, twisting and other uncontrollable movements.

Currently there is no cure. 

“Research from the United States indicates that dystonia is as common as multiple sclerosis in certain areas of the world including parts of the Australia.”

To get involved this September:

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

For more information, visit:
https://www.dystonia.org.au/

This year Stroke Foundation is encouraging Australians who recognise the F.A.S.T signs of stroke to call an ambulance, thereby potentially saving a life. They are F.A.S.T. Heroes.

The FAST test is an easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke. Using the FAST test involves asking these simple questions:
Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms – Can they lift both arms?
Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 000 straight away.

It’s estimated that more than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.

There are some risk factors for stroke which can’t be prevented like age, family history and prior stroke. If you’re male, your risk is also higher.

There are two ways to approach this: first by talking to your doctor and secondly by taking ownership of your own health

Fight stroke this September by:

• Volunteering
• Donating to the foundation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• But MOST IMPORTANTLY, taking charge of your own health

For more information, visit:
https://strokefoundation.org.au/How-you-can-help/Stroke-week

This Asthma Week is about busting the myths by stating the facts.

Asthma is a condition that affects most Australians, 2/3rds in fact! Despite this, there are many misconceptions about this chronic disease.

We want everyone in the community to know about asthma, good asthma control and prevention. 

We want everyone in the community to be empowered to take steps to prevent and treat their asthma and to educate others. 

Get involved this Asthma week to bust the myths by:

• Getting involved in your community events
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing the community

For more information visit:
https://www.asthmaaustralia.org.au/nsw/about-asthma/resources/asthma-week

The ATF Gold Bow Day highlights the increase in thyroid cancer and gives support to thyroid cancer patients undergoing Radio-Active Iodine Treatment.

The two loops of the ATF Gold Bow symbolise the Thyroid Gland, one gland on either side of the neck. The Gold colour symbolises that your Thyroid Gland is more valuable to you than Gold!

The ATF Gold Bow Day highlights the increase in Thyroid Cancer, with the most recent research from 2008 stating, thyroid cancer had increased by 84% in women and 40% in men over the previous 10 years.

Wear your Gold Bow, the symbol of The Australian Thyroid Foundation with pride. Funds raised from the sale of Gold Bows goes towards supporting the work of The Australian Thyroid Foundation.

Get involved this September by:

• Wearing your gold bow
• Donating to the foundation
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit:
https://thyroidfoundation.org.au/Australian-Thyroid-Foundation-Awareness-Events

International Overdose Awareness Day was initiated in 2001 to understand and raise awareness for those individuals who have suffered from drug overdoses.

Since 2001, many community members as well as government and non-government organisations have held events to commemorate those who have been lost to drug overdose.

“New South Wales recorded the largest number of drug induced mortality in 2016 with 547 deaths”

To get involved:

• Organise your own fundraiser
• Make a donation
• Raise awareness on social media

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

In 2019, Speech Pathology Week is 25-31 August.

Speech Pathology Week seeks to promote the speech pathology profession and the work done by speech pathologists with  more than 1.1 million Australians who have a communication or swallowing disorder that impacts on their daily life.

Communication is a basic human right and Speech Pathology Week seeks to promote this fact.

Get involved this August by:

• Informing the community
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser

For more information, visit:https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Daffodil Day is Cancer Council’s most iconic and much-loved annual campaign that raises life-saving funds for world-class cancer research.

It’s a time of hope; where we come together to show our support for the 145,000 Australians  diagnosed with cancer each year.

This August, join thousands of others across the country to:

• Raise funds
• Donate online or at a stall near you
• Volunteer
• Raise awareness on social media

August is Tradies National Health Month, and the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is raising awareness of the risks posed to those who work in trade occupations—among individuals, their families, employers and the wider community.

While there have been improvements, Australia’s trade industry continues to have among the highest health and safety issues of any sector. Time off work due to poor health and injury has a significant impact on families, businesses and communities. This impact will grow if we don’t take steps to change behaviour. Anyone can get behind Tradies National Health Month. 

Go to www.tradieshealth.com.au for more details about the launch event and social media competition for a range of great prizes.

Tradies’ health must be everyone’s priority—we’re giving all employers, physiotherapists, families and tradies the chance to be involved.

MS Readathon is a reading based fundraising program open to participants of ALL ages. Read through the month of August, get sponsored and make a difference! All funds raised go towards support and services provided for people living with MS, their families and carers while the search for a cure continues.        Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition of the central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

“Approximately one in 3,000 Australians are affected by the disorder of multiple sclerosis.”

Get involved this August by:

• Being a part of the reading fundraiser
• Volunteering
• Donating to the foundation

For more information, visit: https://msreadathon.org.au/

Homeless Persons’ Week is an annual awareness raising week held in the first full week of August each year to highlight the over 105,000 Australians who are homeless on any given night.

Homelessness Australia provides information sheets and resources to support events all around Australia. This is an important opportunity to recognise the prevalent homelessness issue within the Australian community.

To get involved this August:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Inform the community by spreading information sheets
• Organise a fundraiser

For more information, visit: https://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/