December 10 commemorates the day that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted in 1948. This is significant as the UDHR sets out human rights which are recognised as the basic and minimum standard for all citizens.

Human Rights Day marks an opportunity to:

• Commemorate, educate and reflect on the principles that form the UDHR;
• Celebrate the rights Australians have the opportunity to exercise everyday;
• Acknowledge the responsibility of promoting these rights for all people.

Get involved this December by:

• Educating family and friends about human rights
• Raising awareness about rights on social media
• Reflecting on the freedom human rights allow

For more information, visit: https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day https://www.ohchr.org/en/aboutus/pages/humanrightsday.aspx

World MS Day is a campaign designed to accelerate research targeting the prevention, better treatments and a cure for multiple sclerosis. Ultimately, MS Research Australia is working towards freedom from MS. Multiple sclerosis is a condition of the central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The theme for this year is ‘myInvisibleMS’ which raises awareness of the invisible symptoms of MS and its unseen impact on quality of life.

“MS affects over 23,000 in Australia and more than two million diagnosed worldwide.”

Get involved this May by:

• Making a donation
• Registering as a fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing family and friends

For more information: https://worldmsday.org/

World Thyroid Day (WTD), May 25th, is dedicated to thyroid patients and to all who are committed to the study and treatment of thyroid diseases worldwide. Thyroid disease is a common problem that can cause symptoms because of over- or under-function of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is an essential organ for producing thyroid hormones, which maintain are body metabolism.

“In Australia there are about 60,000 new cases of thyroid disease each year”

Get involved this May by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• Making a donation

For more information, Vvsit:  https://www.thyroidfoundation.org.au/page/1068/thyroid-awareness-month

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is an initiative organised to raise awareness and community spirit regarding cancer. Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is a chance for Australians to get together and raise money for a great cause. One dollar at a time you are making a real difference helping to fund Cancer Council’s vital research, prevention and support service programs.

“1 in 2 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85”

Get involved this May by:

• Donating to the foundation
• Organising your own morning tea
• Raising awareness on social media
• Buying merchandise
• Becoming a corporate partner

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

National Palliative Care Week is an initiative to mark the importance of palliative care in the Australian community. The theme for this year’s National Palliative Care Week is ‘What matters most’. The theme addresses the need for Australians to plan ahead for their end-of-life care and discuss it with their loved ones and health professionals.

“People in aged care often have more than one chronic illness which affects their health in different ways. Palliative care can help manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.”

Get involved this May by:

• Joining a twitter conversation
• Getting a conversation going in the community
• Spreading the posters
• Volunteering with the foundation
• Donating

For more information, visit:
https://palliativecare.org.au/national-palliative-care-week

Miracle Month of May is designed to raise awareness and funds for premature and sick newborns, their families and the hospitals that care for them.

“Every year in Australia around 48,000 newborn babies require the help of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Nursery (SCN). 27,000 of these babies are born premature and up to 1,000 babies lose their fight for life.”

Get involved by:

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

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

International Nurses Day takes place on 12 May every year and provides an opportunity to recognise nurses around the world for their contribution to health care. The day is celebrated on 12 May as this is the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, the founder of modern nursing.  This year the theme for International Nurses Day is Nurses: “Nurses A Voice to Lead – Health is a Human right”. 

“Nurses are consistently named one of the most trusted professions, year after year. Taking care of people during times of vulnerability allows nurses to form a special bond with their patients.”

Get involved by:

• Donating
• Showing your appreciation to the nurses in your local community
• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit: http://www.icn.ch/publications/2018-nurses-a-voice-to-lead-health-is-a-human-right/