Every year countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). The event serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.

A blood service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a key component of an effective health system. The global theme of World Blood Donor Day changes each year in recognition of the selfless individuals who donate their blood for people unknown to them.

Please click on the link for more information https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-blood-donor-day

Bowel cancer claims the lives of 101 Australians every week (5,276 people a year) – but it’s one of the most treatable types of cancer when detected early.

While the risk of bowel cancer increases significantly with age, the disease doesn’t discriminate, affecting people of all ages.

Bowel Cancer Australia’s signature event to raise awareness of Australia’s second deadliest cancer and funds for the leading community-funded charity dedicated to championing what matters most to people impacted by bowel cancer and empowering everyone affected to live their best life.

Please click on this link for more information https://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/get-involved/campaigns/bowel-cancer-awareness-month/

This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.

The Member States of the World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes. In 1987, the World Health Assembly passed Resolution WHA40.38, calling for 7 April 1988 to be a “a world no-smoking day.”

Please click on the link for more informtion https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-no-tobacco-day

Obstetric fistula is a hole between the birth canal and bladder or rectum, caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without access to timely, high-quality medical treatment. It leaves women and girls leaking urine, faeces or both, and often leads to chronic medical problems, depression, social isolation and deepening poverty. Ninety percent of pregnancies involving fistula end in stillbirth.

The global landscape of maternal health has seen significant strides in recent years, yet the specter of obstetric fistula persists, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries. While pregnancy and childbirth are generally safer than ever before, thousands of women still endure the devastating consequences of obstetric fistula annually. This childbirth injury, resulting from prolonged and obstructed labour, is not just a medical issue but a reflection of systemic inequalities ingrained within societies.

This year’s theme, ‘Breaking the Cycle: Preventing Fistula Worldwide’, underscores the urgent need to address obstetric fistula comprehensively, emphasising equitable access to quality maternal health services, social reintegration, and sustained investment in healthcare systems.

Please click on this link for more information https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-fistula-day

May 12th has been designated as the International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) since 1992.

It marks the birthday of Florence Nightingale — the creator of ‘modern nursing.’ Early detection, sensitivity to the disease, reduced feelings of isolation in patients, and prejudice due to ignorance are all benefits of disease awareness. It also facilitates policy reforms and research. The medical community hopes to raise awareness about a variety of disorders that fall under the “Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases” (CIND) umbrella by commemorating this day.

The CIND illnesses include Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia (FM), Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).

For More information please click on this link https://may12th.org/https://may12th.org/

Clean Your Handst led by the WHO to support health-care workers to improve hand hygiene in health care and thus support the prevention of often life threatening HAI. Each year the SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign aims to progress the goal of maintaining a global profile on the importance of hand hygiene in health care and to ‘bring people together’ in support of hand hygiene improvement globally.

Clean Your Hands is that all health-care workers should clean their hands at the right time and in the right way.

For more information please click on the link https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-hand-hygiene-day

World Immunisation Week, celebrated in the last week of April, aims to highlight the collective action needed and to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.

Through its convening power, WHO works with countries across the globe to raise awareness of the value of vaccines and immunisation and ensures that governments obtain the necessary guidance and technical support to implement high quality immunisation programmes.

The ultimate goal of World Immunization Week is for more people – and their communities – to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases

Please click on the link for more information https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-immunization-week/

Parkinson’s is a movement and mood disorder typically presenting with symptoms such as slowness of movement, muscle rigidity, instability, tremor, depression and anxiety.The number of people living with Parkinson’s in Australia may range from 84,000 to 212,000 (0.85% of population).

Parkinson’s Awareness Month provides opportunities to learn more about the issues facing people living with Parkinson’s every day – and how their lives can be improved – particularly through exercise, social opportunities, and community activities.

For more information please click on the link https://www.parkinsonsnsw.org.au/parkinsons-awareness/#

Autism is a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status.. Appropriate support, accommodation and acceptance of this neurological variation allow those on the Spectrum to enjoy equal opportunity, and full and effective participation in society.

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.

Please click here for more information: https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day information

Celebrated every year on March 30th, World Bipolar Day (WBD) is a world-wide awareness initiative of ISBD in conjunction with the Asian Network of Bipolar Disorder (ANBD) and the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF). 

Through international collaboration, WBD provides a platform for:

• Global education
• Open discussion
• Improved sensitivity about bipolar disorder

Click here for more information https://www.isbd.org/world-bipolar-day