National Wound Awareness Week 2018

Wound Care Awareness Week  is an opportunity to inform the community about the importance of proper wound care. This year’s theme is “Let’s Talk About Wounds” to encourage more people to raise awareness of the rising issue of wounds, what the wound symptoms are, and encourage more people to go and see a wound specialist if their wound won’t heal.

With wounds costing the Australian health system $3 billion every year and nearly half a million Australians suffering from chronic wounds every day – it is important to spread awareness!

Get involved this July by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing the community
• Registering with the foundation

For more information, visit: http://www.woundaware.com.au/

National Diabetes Week 2018

In 2018, National Diabetes Week will continue to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and early treatment for all types of diabetes as part of the “It’s About Time” campaign. National Diabetes Week runs from 8 July to 14 July. Too many Australians are being diagnosed with diabetes too late. The 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 2018

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.

“Each year, 10,000 Australians go blind and approximately 200,000 Australians have visual impairment that cannot be corrected by spectacles.”

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/

Sarcoma Awareness Month 2018

Sarcoma awareness month is designed to promote awareness about the ‘forgotten cancer’ and find a cure in time. “Sarcomas” is a cancerous (malignant) tumor of the connective tissue.

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

Get involved this July by:

• Donating to the foundation
• Volunteering
• Raising awareness in the community
• Gathering support on social media
• Signing the petition

For more information, visit:

For more information, visit: http://www.curesarcoma.org/take-action-sarcoma-awareness-month/

Dry July 2018

Dry July is a campaign designed to raise awareness for cancer through encouraging individuals to give up alcohol for the month of July.

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

In July, an average of 11,526 Australians are predicted to be diagnosed with cancer. No one asks for cancer, so it’s important to help, and go Dry this July to raise funds for people affected by cancer.

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/

World Scleroderma Day 2018

World Scleroderma Day is an initiative to raise awareness about the severeness of this disease. Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease that turns simple daily activities into real challenges. It is life-threatening and currently has no cure. Also known as Systemic Sclerosis, 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.

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: http://worldsclerodermaday.org/

World Drug Day 2018 – International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking 

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, nearly 200 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/

MND Global Day 2018

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.mndaust.asn.au/Get-involved/Global-Day.aspx

Red Apple Day 2018

A highlight of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is Red Apple Day (Wednesday, 20th June 2018), when Australians are encouraged to support the vital work of Bowel Cancer Australia through the purchase of a Bowel Cancer Awareness Ribbon and apple themed fundraising activities.

Bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) is the third most common type of newly diagnosed cancer in Australia.

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

World Blood Donor Day 2018

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: http://www.who.int/campaigns/world-blood-donor-day/2018/event/en/