World Glaucoma Week 2018

World Glaucoma week is held in March each year to raise awareness about glaucoma as a potentially blinding eye disease and to stress the importance of regular optic nerve checks. This is an issue which needs to be stressed as glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.

Over 300,000 Australians have glaucoma. While it is more common as people grow older, it can occur at any age. As our population becomes older, the proportion of glaucoma patients is increasing.

“One in eight Australians over 80 will develop glaucoma with 50% of these cases being undiagnosed”

Beat invisible Glaucoma this march by:

• Informing your friends and families of the risks of Glaucoma
• Register to hold a breakfast
• Become a Glaucoma ambassador
• Raise awareness on social media
• Make a donation

For more information, refer to http://www.glaucoma.org.au/index.html

Coeliac Awareness Week 2018

Coeliac Awareness Week is a campaign which aims to reach the many thousands of Australians unaware they are living with coeliac disease and help them identify the symptoms and take steps towards diagnosis and treatment.

“Coeliac disease is a serious medical illness, affecting 1 in 70 of the population. However, 80 per cent of affected Australians remain undiagnosed.”

Get involved this March by:

• Displaying posters in your local area
• Reading online resources
• Informing family members and friends of the harms
• Creating awareness on social media
• Organising your own fundraiser

For more information: http://www.coeliac.org.au/caw/

Could you perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) in an emergency?

For more information, visit

https://www.cprcertified.com/how-to-perform-cpr-infographic

Bandaged Bear Appeal 2018

This March, do something amazing #forsickkids by supporting the 29th annual Bandaged Bear Appeal.

Running from 1 – 31 March, the Bandaged Bear Appeal is a signature fundraiser, helping raise vital funds for brave patients. Your support of the Bandaged Bear Appeal makes it possible to continue providing world-class care and treatment to thousands of children every year.

All funds raised throughout the Appeal go towards purchasing the most advanced medical equipment, funding vital research and delivering services that are central to the wellbeing of patients and families.

Get involved by:

• Holding a fundraising event
• Purchasing merchandise
• Volunteering
• Making a donation

For more information, visit: http://www.bandagedbear.org.au/help-us/bba-appeal

Clean Up Australia Day 2018

Clean Up Australia Day works to inspire and work with communities to clean up, fix up and conserve the environment. This is an event aimed to encourage all Australians to take to their local park, beach, bushland or streets and help collect rubbish.

A cleaner Australia is the first step in ensuring maximum prosperity of the country.

Get involved this March by:

• Organising your own clean up
• Donating to the foundation
• Volunteering

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

Teal Ribbon Day 2018 – Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month 

Teal is the international colour for ovarian cancer awareness. On Teal Ribbon Day, all Australians are encouraged  to purchase and wear a Teal Ribbon to raise awareness of ovarian cancer; show your support for the women, and their families, who are living with the disease; and to remember those who have died.

In 2014, there were 974 deaths from ovarian cancer in Australia. In 2017, it was estimated to have increased to 1,047 deaths.

With no early detection test, it is important that women know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and their family history.

Some signs and symptoms include:

• Abdominal or pelvic pain.
• Increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating.
• Needing to urinate often or urgently.
• Feeling full after eating a small amount.

Participate this February by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• Hosting your own afternoon tea
• Volunteering
• Donating

For more information, visit: https://ovariancancer.net.au/teal-ribbon-day/

Hearing Awareness Week 2018

Hearing awareness week is an initiative to inform society of the benefits of good hearing and avoiding hearing impairment or deafness.

One in six Australians is hearing impaired, deaf or has an ear disorder.

Ensure proper care of your ears to allow prosperous and active hearing.

To get involved:

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

For more information, visit: http://www.hearingawarenessweek.org.au/

Don’t wait until it’s too late – Bowel Cancer 

Bowel Cancer Australia’s annual public awareness campaign, ‘don’t wait until it’s too late’ is aimed at raising awareness of bowel cancer and encouraging more Australian’s to screen for the disease. Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, can affect any part of the large bowel (colon) or rectum.

• Screening for the disease
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing the community
• Making a donation
• Volunteering

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

International Asperger’s Day 2018

International Asperger’s Day aims to highlight the significance of Asperger’s Syndrome for both society and individuals, illustrating one of the many challenges in understanding the autism spectrum. Asperger’s syndrome is a developmental disorder affecting an individual’s ability to effectively socialise and communicate.

“Recent survey results from the National Institute of Child Health and Mental Development estimate that 1 in 500 people (0.2% of the general population) have some form of Asperger’s Syndrome.”

As a community, we can raise awareness about Asperger’s syndrome through:

• Holding charity fundraisers
• Donating a small sum to Asperger Services Australia
• Increasing awareness on social media.

For more information, visit: https://www.asperger.asn.au/

International Childhood Heart Disease Awareness Month

Many people are unaware of childhood heart disease (CHD) – and its prevalence in Australia. February is the time to support Australia’s little battlers in the fight against heart disease. The month of February brings Valentine’s Day, so why not celebrate by helping a heart in need?

Did you know?

• Childhood heart disease is the single biggest killer of children under the age of one in Australia.
• Eight babies are born with a heart defect in Australia every day. That is almost 3,000 every year.

Get involved in the fight against heart disease this February by:

• Making a donation
• Volunteering with HeartKids Australia in events such as Sweetheart Day
• Participating in a fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media.

For further information visit https://www.heartkids.org.au