The Heart Foundation saves lives and improves health through funding world-class cardiovascular research, guidelines for health professionals, informing the public and assisting people with cardiovascular disease.

As a charity, the Heart Foundation relies on donations and gifts in wills to continue lifesaving research, education and health promotion work.

The Big Heart Appeal is one such opportunity for the community to realise the overwhelming spread of cardiovascular diseases and make a contribution to the Heart Foundation to ensure that they continue their work into such important research

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in Australia, with one Australian dying every 12 minutes. 

Get involved this September by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Donate to the foundation
• Organise a fundraiser
• Informing the community of the benefits of eating healthier

For more information, visit:
http://www.bigheartappeal.org/index.html

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is asking Australia to get involved and help create awareness and raise the much needed funds to help in the fight against prostate cancer.

“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in Australia with 20,000 diagnosis and close to 3,500 deaths each year.”

All men over 50 – or over 40 are encouraged –  if you have a family history – to talk with your GP about your prostate health.

Become a part this September by:

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

For more information, visit:
https://www.prostate.org.au/get-checked/

Dystonia awareness month is designed to inform the community of the spreading condition and urge the community to join in helping those which are affected. Dystonia is a Neurological Movement Condition which affects adults and children. It can affect any part of the body and causes muscles to contract or spasm. This may cause pain, tremors, twisting and other uncontrollable movements.

Currently there is no cure. 

“Research from the United States indicates that dystonia is as common as multiple sclerosis in certain areas of the world including parts of the Australia.”

To get involved this September:

• Inform the community
• Raise awareness on social media
• Organise a fundraiser
• Donate to the foundation

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

This year Stroke Foundation is encouraging Australians who recognise the F.A.S.T signs of stroke to call an ambulance, thereby potentially saving a life. They are F.A.S.T. Heroes.

The FAST test is an easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke. Using the FAST test involves asking these simple questions:
Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms – Can they lift both arms?
Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 000 straight away.

It’s estimated that more than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.

There are some risk factors for stroke which can’t be prevented like age, family history and prior stroke. If you’re male, your risk is also higher.

There are two ways to approach this: first by talking to your doctor and secondly by taking ownership of your own health

Fight stroke this September by:

• Volunteering
• Donating to the foundation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• But MOST IMPORTANTLY, taking charge of your own health

For more information, visit:
https://strokefoundation.org.au/How-you-can-help/Stroke-week

This Asthma Week is about busting the myths by stating the facts.

Asthma is a condition that affects most Australians, 2/3rds in fact! Despite this, there are many misconceptions about this chronic disease.

We want everyone in the community to know about asthma, good asthma control and prevention. 

We want everyone in the community to be empowered to take steps to prevent and treat their asthma and to educate others. 

Get involved this Asthma week to bust the myths by:

• Getting involved in your community events
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing the community

For more information visit:
https://www.asthmaaustralia.org.au/nsw/about-asthma/resources/asthma-week

The ATF Gold Bow Day highlights the increase in thyroid cancer and gives support to thyroid cancer patients undergoing Radio-Active Iodine Treatment.

The two loops of the ATF Gold Bow symbolise the Thyroid Gland, one gland on either side of the neck. The Gold colour symbolises that your Thyroid Gland is more valuable to you than Gold!

The ATF Gold Bow Day highlights the increase in Thyroid Cancer, with the most recent research from 2008 stating, thyroid cancer had increased by 84% in women and 40% in men over the previous 10 years.

Wear your Gold Bow, the symbol of The Australian Thyroid Foundation with pride. Funds raised from the sale of Gold Bows goes towards supporting the work of The Australian Thyroid Foundation.

Get involved this September by:

• Wearing your gold bow
• Donating to the foundation
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit:
https://thyroidfoundation.org.au/Australian-Thyroid-Foundation-Awareness-Events

International Overdose Awareness Day was initiated in 2001 to understand and raise awareness for those individuals who have suffered from drug overdoses.

Since 2001, many community members as well as government and non-government organisations have held events to commemorate those who have been lost to drug overdose.

“New South Wales recorded the largest number of drug induced mortality in 2016 with 547 deaths”

To get involved:

• Organise your own fundraiser
• Make a donation
• Raise awareness on social media

For more information, visit: https://www.overdoseday.com/

In 2019, Speech Pathology Week is 25-31 August.

Speech Pathology Week seeks to promote the speech pathology profession and the work done by speech pathologists with  more than 1.1 million Australians who have a communication or swallowing disorder that impacts on their daily life.

Communication is a basic human right and Speech Pathology Week seeks to promote this fact.

Get involved this August by:

• Informing the community
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser

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

Daffodil Day is Cancer Council’s most iconic and much-loved annual campaign that raises life-saving funds for world-class cancer research.

It’s a time of hope; where we come together to show our support for the 145,000 Australians  diagnosed with cancer each year.

This August, join thousands of others across the country to:

• Raise funds
• Donate online or at a stall near you
• Volunteer
• Raise awareness on social media

August is Tradies National Health Month, and the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is raising awareness of the risks posed to those who work in trade occupations—among individuals, their families, employers and the wider community.

While there have been improvements, Australia’s trade industry continues to have among the highest health and safety issues of any sector. Time off work due to poor health and injury has a significant impact on families, businesses and communities. This impact will grow if we don’t take steps to change behaviour. Anyone can get behind Tradies National Health Month. 

Go to www.tradieshealth.com.au for more details about the launch event and social media competition for a range of great prizes.

Tradies’ health must be everyone’s priority—we’re giving all employers, physiotherapists, families and tradies the chance to be involved.