ONE DAY: ONE FOCUS: ENDING POLIO 

Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. Most know it as polio virus. The virus is spread from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine.

“The number of worldwide polio cases has fallen from an estimated 350,000 in 1988 to 407 in 2013—a decline of more than 99% in reported cases.”

Continue this fall in Polio by:

• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• Donating

For more information, visit: https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day

This is an initiative designed to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining good bone health.

In 2019 the campaign will feature “THAT’S OSTEOPOROSIS” as a headline, and, for the first time, will highlight emotionally impactful visuals and stories of real people living with osteoporosis in all regions of the world.

“There are approximately 12,000 spinal cord injuries each year,which are associated with a significant mortality rate.”

Height loss, curved back and sudden unexplained back pain are all warning signs. If osteoporosis is diagnosed there are positive steps to help manage your bone health.

To get involved this October:

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

For more information, visit: 
http://worldosteoporosisday.org/

National Safe Work Month is held in October each year. It aims to build awareness of work health and safety and encourage discussion about the importance of WHS issues.

Since Safe Work Australia’s inception, there has been a steady decline in the rate of work-related fatalities and workers’ compensation claims.

However, we also know that work-related injury and disease cost the Australian community $61.8 billion in a year.

There’s still work to be done.

Get involved this October by:

• Organising a fundraiser
• Taking care of yourself and colleagues in the workplace
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit:
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/national-safe-work-month

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month and every year many events take place during October including the National Awareness Event, Light it Red for Dyslexia, which started in 2015.

Light it Red for Dyslexia is an annual event that is administered by Code Read Dyslexia Network Australia on behalf of the national Dyslexia Support Groups. Throughout the month of October significant monuments and buildings around Australia are lit up in the colour red for Dyslexia Awareness.

Dyslexia is the most common form of learning difficulty.  Problems with reading, and related difficulties, comprehension, spelling and writing are common for these students.

Get involved this October by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing the community
• Making an effort to spread the message
• Donating for research

For more information, visit:
https://speldnsw.org.au/news/speld-nsw-is-red-for-dyslexia-awareness-month/

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.

“Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14, but most cases go undetected and untreated”

“Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds.”

The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

Get involved this October by:

• Informing the community
• Taking care of your mental health
• Raising awareness on social media
• Volunteering

For more information: 
https://1010.org.au/

World Cerebral Palsy Day is a movement of people with cerebral palsy and their families, and the organisations that support them, in more than 65 countries. The vision is to ensure that children and adults with cerebral palsy (CP) have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society. It is only together, that we can make that happen.

“There are 17 million people across the world living with cerebral palsy (CP).”

Get involved this October by:

• Volunteering with the foundation
• Donating
• Organising a fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media
• Sharing your story

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

Great Cycle Challenge started in 2013, and after just 6 years, the event has grown to become one of the biggest cycling events in Australia.

People of all ages, abilities and from every state across the country set themselves a personal riding goal and challenge themselves to pedal throughout October to fight kids’ cancer. 

Why? Because cancer is the largest killer of children from disease in Australia. Over 600 Australian children are diagnosed with cancer every year and sadly, 3 children die every week.

Riding and raising money is a chance to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve, and we believe that any one individual can make their personal impact to fight cancer and save little lives.

Get involved this October by signing up for the Great Cycle Challenge!!

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

The Foot Health Month campaign seeks to remind the public about the significance of good foot health and encourage people to seek more information about the services that podiatrists offer.

Over the years, your feet can clock up some serious kilometres, taking a significant toll on the condition of your feet. They can carry a lot of weight and keep you going throughout your day but sometimes we forget how essential it is to take care of our feet. 

Untreated foot problems cost our healthcare system millions of dollars, and can have a hugely detrimental effect on a person’s lifestyle and livelihood.

Around 40 percent of Australian will experience some form of foot problems in their lifetime.

Get involved this October by:

• Taking care of your feet
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing family and friends

For more information, visit:
www.apodc.com.au/

Dementia Awareness Month is Dementia Australia’s national awareness-raising campaign held every year throughout September.

Its aim is to encourage all Australians to become more aware of dementia, to get a better understanding of what it is like to live with dementia and how we can support people living with dementia.

There are many small actions people can take to create a big difference for people impacted by dementia, their families and carers.

“Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians contributing to 5.4% of all deaths in males and 10.6% of all deaths in females each year”

Get involved this September by:

• Organising your own fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media
• Donating to the foundation

For more information, visit:
https://www.dementia.org.au/nsw/dementia-awareness-month

Liptember is a campaign  dedicated to raising funds and awareness for women’s mental health whilst informing the community of specific women’s mental health research and support programs.

“One in three Australian women will suffer depression or anxiety during their lifetime.”

“Postnatal depression affects 15% of women within the first year after childbirth.”

Get involved this September by:

• Purchasing a Liptember lipstick from a participating store
• Volunteering with the foundation
• Organising your own fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit: https://www.liptember.com.au/