Decembeard 2017

A hair–raising fundraiser held during the month of December (1st-31st December), Decembeard encourages men to grow a beard in the final month of the year to raise awareness and much needed funds for bowel cancer.

Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world. 1 in 11 Australian men will develop bowel cancer in their lifetime.

Bowel cancer is Australia’s third leading cause of cancer deaths in men.

To get involved:

• Grow a beard
• Raise funds and help save lives
• Make an online donation
• Sponsor a friend

For more information please visit website: http://www.decembeard.org.au

International Day of People with Disabilities

The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

Approximately one billion people are living with disabilities worldwide

To get involved

• Organise a sausage sizzle in a local park or community locations where every dollar can support a local organisation
• Volunteer at an event and have fun while supporting people.
• Raise awareness on social media

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

World AIDS Awareness Day 2017 

World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December every year since 1988, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease.

Globally there are an estimated 34 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Get involved by:

• Donating to the foundation
• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing the community

For more information, visit: http://www.worldaidsday.org.au/internet/wad/Publishing.nsf/content/home

E-Tea Epilepsy Action Australia, November 2017

Epilepsy is the world’s most common serious brain disorder and is characterised by spontaneous, recurrent seizures. Although it is more likely to be diagnosed in childhood or senior years, it is not confined to any age, intelligence, gender, or race. Anything that results in damage or scarring to the brain may lead to seizures and epilepsy, including a head injury, stroke or brain infection. The cause remains unknown for about half of those diagnosed.

E-tea is an opportunity to recognise the seriousness of this disorder and take it as a chance to raise awareness about the disease in the community.

“800,000 Australians will develop epilepsy during their life time.”

To get involved:

• Become a member of the foundation
• Organise your own e-tea
• Buy merchandise
• Volunteer

For more information: https://www.epilepsy.org.au/fundraise/e-tea/

White Ribbon Day 2017

25th November is the International Awareness Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This is an important issue that needs to be addressed in order to achieve a fairer and more equal society. White Ribbon Day allows building a future free from violence and abuse.

Support White Ribbon’s vital prevention work in schools, workplaces and communities.

One in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by someone known to them.

Get involved and spread the word by:

• Donating to the foundation
• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing the community

For more information please visit: www.whiteribbon.org.au

Asbestos Awareness Month 2017

Each year November is celebrated as Asbestos Awareness Month. It aims to educate Australians about the dangers of asbestos in and around homes. Imbedded asbestos fibres irritate lung tissue around them, causing a number of diseases. Asbestos related diseases can take many years to develop and often have dangerous consequences

In Australia, we have one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world.

Get involved this November by:

• Informing the community of the risks of asbestos
• Participating in interactive workshops
• Attending the asbestos summit in Canberra
• Raising awareness on social media
• Volunteering

For more information: http://asbestosawareness.com.au

International Men’s Day 2017 (19th November 2017)

International Men’s Day is an objective to raise awareness and focus on men’s and boy’s health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role models.

Men’s health is worse than women’s in almost every part of the world. Over 95% of work place fatalities are men and 99% of combat deaths are men.

In almost all the countries of the world, the suicide rate is worse for men than women and averaged out, the rate of suicide for men is up to three times that of women.

To get involved:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Inform the community
• Organise a fundraiser
• Make a donation

For more information: www.internationalmensday.com

World Prematurity Day 2017

World Prematurity Day is observed on November 17 each year. It aims to raise awareness about the issues associated with preterm birth. It also spreads information about how to help and support affected families.  Preterm or premature birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is the second leading cause of newborn death globally. Babies who survive an early birth often face the increased risk of health challenges such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and many other hurdles.

Each year worldwide, 15 million babies are born too soon. Approximately 25,000 of these babies are born in Australia.

To get involved:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Volunteer at an event
• Purchase your very own candle for ‘Light it up purple’ campaign via the online store
• Organise your own fundraiser

For more information: http://prembaby.org.au/worldprematurityday/

World Diabetes Day 2017 – 14 November 

World Diabetes Day is an international event to raise awareness about diabetes, celebrated every year on 14 November. Diabetes is a serious complex condition which can affect the entire body. Diabetes requires daily self care and if complications develop, diabetes can have a significant impact on quality of life and can reduce life expectancy. While there is currently no cure for diabetes, you can live an enjoyable life by learning about the condition and effectively managing it.

It is difficult to estimate the exact number of people with diabetes in Australia, but it is likely that more than 1.2 million Australians are living with the disease.

Get involved by:

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

For more information: https://www.idf.org/our-activities/world-diabetes-day/wdd-2017.html

Perinatal Depression & Anxiety Awareness Week 2017

12- 18 November 2017

PANDA – Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia supports women, men and families across Australia to recover from post and antenatal depression and anxiety: a serious illness that affects around 100,000 Australian families every year.
PANDA operates Australia’s only specialist perinatal anxiety and depression National Helpline which recognises how it is important to reduce the effects of this widely-spread mental illness.

Get involved this November by:

• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media
• Encouraging the community to donate

For more information. please visit: www.panda.org.au