Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 2018

Australian Association for Infant Mental Health  is a national organisation of professionals from many fields who work with infants, young children and their families. They organise this week in a mission to work towards  improving professional and community recognition of infancy and early childhood as a critical time for the development of emotional, physical and mental health.

In the long term, poor infant mental health may negatively impact language acquisition, school performance, cognitive and social development, and emotional regulation.

To get involved:

• Organise a fundraiser
• Volunteer with the foundation
• Make a donation
• Raise awareness on social media

For more information, visit: https://www.aaimhi.org/

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month 2018

Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer.

• Raise awareness in the community
• Organise a fundraiser
• Volunteer with the foundation
• Make a donation

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

Heart Rhythm Week 2018

Fainting or syncope is relatively common and in some cases it can be a sign of an arrhythmia (heart rhythm disorder) and should not be ignored. Arrhythmias can affect people of all ages and for some, fainting may be the first indication of a problem. Heart Rhythm Week aims to raise awareness about this disorder and encourage individuals to seek help if required.

“39% of children and 30% of adults are misdiagnosed with epilepsy – many of whom have an underlying, potentially fatal arrhythmia”

Get involved this June by:

• Organising a fundraiser
• Making a donation
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit: http://www.heartrhythmalliance.org

Haemochromatosis Awareness Week 2018

This week allows a time to focus attention on haemochromatosis and for people to raise awareness of the condition in the community. Haemochromatosis is still diagnosed far too late for many people. Others struggle for years with unexplained symptoms while the condition is overlooked

Haemochromatosis is the most common genetic disorder in Australia.

People with haemochromatosis absorb too much iron from their diet.  Over time this leads to iron overload. If undetected and untreated, the excess iron can cause organ or tissue damage and can potentially result in premature death.

Join the action this June by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Making a donation
• Putting up posters about the cause

For more information, visit:

World Haemochromatosis Week

World MS Day 2018

World MS Day is a campaign designed to accelerate research targeting the prevention, better treatments and a cure for multiple sclerosis. Ultimately, MS Research Australia is working towards freedom from MS. Multiple sclerosis is a condition of the central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The #bringinguscloser campaign is about connecting people affected by MS with those involved in MS research, including scientists, students, nurses, fundraisers, volunteers, and more.

“MS affects over 23,000 in Australia and more than two million diagnosed worldwide.”

Get involved this May by:

• Making a donation
• Registering as a fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing family and friends

For more information: https://worldmsday.org/

World Thyroid Day 2018

World Thyroid Day (WTD), May 25th, is dedicated to thyroid patients and to all who are committed to the study and treatment of thyroid diseases worldwide. Thyroid disease is a common problem that can cause symptoms because of over- or under-function of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is an essential organ for producing thyroid hormones, which maintain are body metabolism.

“In Australia there are about 60,000 new cases of thyroid disease each year”

Get involved this May by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• Making a donation

For more information, Vvsit:  https://www.thyroidfoundation.org.au/page/1068/thyroid-awareness-month

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea 2018 

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is an initiative organised to raise awareness and community spirit regarding cancer. Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is a chance for Australians to get together and raise money for a great cause. One dollar at a time you are making a real difference helping to fund Cancer Council’s vital research, prevention and support service programs.

“1 in 2 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85”

Get involved this May by:

• Donating to the foundation
• Organising your own morning tea
• Raising awareness on social media
• Buying merchandise
• Becoming a corporate partner

For more information, visit: https://biggestmorningtea.com.au/

National Palliative Care Week 2018

National Palliative Care Week is an initiative to mark the importance of palliative care in the Australian community. The theme for this year’s National Palliative Care Week is ‘What matters most’. The theme addresses the need for Australians to plan ahead for their end-of-life care and discuss it with their loved ones and health professionals.

“People in aged care often have more than one chronic illness which affects their health in different ways. Palliative care can help manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.”

Get involved this May by:

• Joining a twitter conversation or competition using #npcw18 #dyingtotalk
• Getting a conversation going in the community
• Spreading the posters
• Volunteering with the foundation
• Donating

For more information, visit: http://palliativecare.org.au/national-palliative-care-week

Miracle Month of May 2018

Miracle Month of May is designed to raise awareness and funds for premature and sick newborns, their families and the hospitals that care for them.

“Every year in Australia around 48,000 newborn babies require the help of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Nursery (SCN). 27,000 of these babies are born premature and up to 1,000 babies lose their fight for life.”

Get involved by:

• Donating to the foundation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• Volunteering

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

International Nurses Day 2018

International Nurses Day takes place on 12 May every year and provides an opportunity to recognise nurses around the world for their contribution to health care. The day is celebrated on 12 May as this is the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, the founder of modern nursing.  This year the theme for International Nurses Day is Nurses: “Nurses A Voice to Lead – Health is a Human right”. 

“Nurses are consistently named one of the most trusted professions, year after year. Taking care of people during times of vulnerability allows nurses to form a special bond with their patients.”

Get involved by:

• Donating
• Showing your appreciation to the nurses in your local community
• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit: http://www.icn.ch/publications/2018-nurses-a-voice-to-lead-health-is-a-human-right/