Decembeard is a hair-raising fundraiser held during the month of December. Men are encouraged to grow a beard in the final month of the year to raise awareness and much needed funds for bowel cancer. Bowel cancer is the third most common type of newly diagnosed cancer in Australia.

15,253 Australians are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year, including 1,531 (10%) people under the age of 50.

To get involved, grow a beard or some chin stubble and promote your facial hair to raise awareness and funds for Australia’s second biggest cancer killer – bowel cancer. Women and children are also encouraged to take part by making or faking a beard and encouraging the men in their lives to find out about bowel cancer and grow a beard for Decembeard!

Decembeard’s goal is to have a lasting impact on our health future – where no one dies of bowel cancer and all those diagnosed receive the support they need.

You can get involved by

• Volunteering
• Fundraising
• Participating in organised events

For more information, please visit:
https://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/decembeard

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is held on 3 December each year. IDPwD is a United Nations observed day celebrated internationally. It aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions.

According to the WHO World Report on Disability, 15 per cent of the world’s population, or more than 1 billion people, are living with disability.

The 2020 theme ‘Not all Disabilities are Visible’ focuses on spreading awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent, such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, sight or hearing impairments, diabetes, brain injuries, neurological disorders, learning differences and cognitive dysfunctions, among others.

Get involved this December by:

• Donating to the organisation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Educating friends and family

For more information, visit: https://www.idpwd.com.au/ or https://idpwd.org/

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year. It raises awareness across the world and in the community about the issues surrounding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a day for people to show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.

“HIV continues to pose serious challenges around the globe.”

HIV still exists in Australia. There were 833 new HIV diagnoses in Australia in 2018.

HIV can affect anyone. There is no vaccine or cure for HIV, however there is highly effective treatment. People living with HIV take medications on a daily basis to maintain their HIV at an undetectable level and to keep themselves healthy. Today, HIV is considered a chronic but manageable condition, and people living with HIV can lead long and healthy lives, with a similar life expectancy to a person who does not have HIV.

Like other conditions, HIV can be prevented. By being informed about what HIV is and how it can be transmitted, we can take measures to look after ourselves and others.

So take the first step-inform yourself about HIV.

To get involved this December:

• Donate to the foundation
• Volunteer
• Raise awareness on social media

For more information, visit: http://www.worldaidsday.org.au/internet/wad/publishing.nsf/Content/Home

To make a booking, visit our website https://www.waitaramedical.com/ or contact reception on 8038 1070.

NICU Awareness Month in November is a time to recognise the importance of Neonatal Intensive Care Units and their amazing staff around Australia. They offer specialised care and help make a difference to over 48,000 babies who are born prematurely or sick every year.

“132 babies are born each day requiring specialised care.”

Get involved this November by:

• Making a donation
• Raise awareness on social media
• Host an event with friends or family

For more information, visit: https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/get-involved/events/november-nicu-awareness-month/

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is running from the 18-24 November this year and aims to increase awareness of and response to global antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A central goal is to avoid the increase of drug-resistant infections by encouraging best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers. The theme this year is “Antimicrobials” handle with care”.

AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites resist the effects of medications, making common infections more difficult to appropriately treat, which increase the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. One of the main objectives of WAAW is to increase awareness through appropriate communication, education and training.

To address antimicrobial resistance, the UN is currently:

• Supporting countries with national action plan implementation
• Raising education and awareness on antimicrobial resistance
• Optimising use of antimicrobial medicines
• Monitoring progress on antimicrobial resistance
• Fostering international cooperation on antimicrobial resistance
• Building capacity for infection prevention

Get involved this WAAW by raising awareness and educating friends and family on the importance of antimicrobial resistance.

For more information, visit: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-antimicrobial-awareness-week

This year White Ribbon Day falls on Friday 20th November and provides an opportunity to bring people together to raise awareness and commit to action to prevent men’s violence against women.

“On average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner.”

White Ribbon Australia’s purpose includes:

• Believing men have a role in preventing violence against women and engaging them in prevention is critical.
• Providing prevention programs that engage men at the individual, community, and population level around prevention of violence against women.
• Working towards materially decreasing rates of men’s violence against women.

Get involved this November by:

• Hosting an event
• Making a donation
• Purchasing and wearing a white ribbon

For more information, visit: https://events.whiteribbon.org.au/get-involved/join-an-existing-event/whiteribbonday20

World COPD Day is a worldwide campaign aimed at raising awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and improve COPD care throughout the world. The 2020 theme for World COPD Day will be “Living Well with COPD – Everybody. Everywhere”.

“Research shows that almost half (46%) of all Australians rarely or never think about their lung health.”

Awareness and investigation of new or ongoing respiratory symptoms, such as persistent cough, wheeze, or shortness of breath can lead to early diagnosis and treatments for a range of respiratory diseases. Awareness and understanding of the treatments prescribed is also important including the correct use of inhaled medications or ‘puffers’.

Tips to look after your lung health from the Lung Foundation Australia:

• Make your life a smoke-free zone by quitting smoking and/or reducing your exposure to second-hand smoke.
• Wear appropriate protective equipment if you work in environments that expose you to the inhalation of dust, gas, fumes or chemicals.
• Protect yourself from influenza and pneumonia by having the vaccinations.
• Exercise regularly and have a healthy diet.
• Practice good hand hygiene to minimise the spread of germs.

For more information, visit: https://goldcopd.org/world-copd-day/

With 2 in 3 Australians diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70, the action week is an important reminder of the risks of exposure to UV radiation, the need for sun protection and early skin cancer detection for all Australians.

Did you know:

• More than 2,000 people in Australia die from skin cancer each year.
• Cancer Council estimates that Australia spends more than $1 billion per year treating skin cancer.
• Most skin cancers can be prevented by the use of good sun protection.
• Despite many Australians referring to a “healthy tan”, a tan is not a sign of good health or well being. In fact, tanning is a sign that you have been exposed to enough UV radiation to damage your skin. This will eventually cause premature aging – including sun spots, wrinkles and sagging. Worst of all it increases your risk of skin cancer.

Make the pledge today to protect yourself from UV radiation and abstain from tanning.

During National Skin Cancer Action Week and throughout summer, use the five forms of sun protection by:

• slip on sun-protective clothing
• slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
• slap on a broad-brimmed hat
• seek shade
• slide on sunglasses.

A combination of these measures, along with getting to know your skin and regularly checking for any changes, are the keys to reducing your skin cancer risk.

For more information, please visit:
https://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/campaigns-and-events/national-skin-cancer-action-week.html

World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. WDD draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public and political spotlight.

“1 in 10 people are living with diabetes.”

This year, the theme of WDD is ‘Diabetes: Nurses make the difference’ and aim to raise awareness around the crucial role that nurses play in supporting people living with diabetes. As the number of people with diabetes continues to rise across the world, the role of nurses and other health professional support staff is becoming increasingly important in managing the impact of the condition.

To get involved this November:

• Spread awareness about WDD on social media
• Educate friends and family about diabetes
• Learn more about diabetes and the risks

For more information, visit: https://worlddiabetesday.org/