Earth Hour began as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney in 2007, and is now one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment. Held every year on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour engages millions of people in more than 180 countries and territories, switching off their lights to show support for our planet.

This year, Earth Hour falls on Saturday 27 March, running from 8:30pm. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to take part, with this year providing the first “virtual lights-off”. Switch off your lights for an hour on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 8:30 pm your local time.

For more information, visit: https://www.earthhour.org/

Throughout March, Epilepsy Australia is urging people around the country to end the stigma and discrimination of epilepsy and ‘GO PURPLE’, the international colour for epilepsy. Epilepsy is a common brain disorder which takes the form of recurring seizures. It’s not just one condition; rather it is a diverse family of disorders comprising many seizure types.

“10% of the population are at risk of experiencing a seizure during their lifetime, while 3-4% will go on to be diagnosed with epilepsy.”

Get involved this March by:

• Informing family and community members about epilepsy
• Hosting a purple day fundraiser
• Buying merchandise which donates money to epilepsy Australia
• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media using #gopurple

For more details, visit: http://www.epilepsyaustralia.net/get-involved/

Each year World TB Day is commemorated on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by infection with the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.TB most commonly affects a person’s lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body and can cause serious illness.

Get involved this March by:

• Educating friends and family about World TB Day
• Raising awareness on social media
• Learning more about tuberculosis

For more information, visit: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-tb-day

These simple steps can help to protect yourself and the community.

Practise good hygiene by

• making sure to clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub
• cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or a flexed elbow
• avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

Make sure you stay home if you are sick.

For more information, visit:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others

Harmony Week is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into communities. This week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

“Nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was.” (ABS 2016 Census)

Everyone can get involved this March by:

• Communicating the importance of cultural diversity
• Encouraging the values of respect, equality and freedom
• Promoting harmony in the workplace, at home and in schools

For more information, visit: https://www.harmony.gov.au/

Coeliac Awareness Week is a campaign which aims to reach many thousands of Australians unaware they are living with coeliac disease and help them identify the symptoms and take steps towards diagnosis and treatment. This year it takes place 13-20th March.

“Coeliac disease affects on average approximately 1 in 70 Australians. However, around 80% of this number remain undiagnosed.”

In people with coeliac disease, the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats), causing small bowel damage. Coeliac disease can develop at any age and affects both men and women.

Get involved this March by:

• Displaying posters in your local area
• Reading online resources
• Informing family members and friends of the harms
• Creating awareness on social media
• Organising your own fundraiser

For more information, visit: http://www.coeliac.org.au/caw/

Kidney disease currently affects around 850 million people worldwide. One in ten adults has chronic kidney disease (CKD). Being diagnosed with kidney disease can be a huge challenge, both for the patient and those people around them.

This year World Kidney Day continues to raise awareness of the increasing burden of kidney diseases worldwide and to strive for kidney health for everyone, everywhere. 2021 theme is “Living Well with Kidney Disease” to increase education and awareness about effective symptom management and patient empowerment, with the ultimate goal of encouraging life participation.

Get involved this March by:

• Educating friends and family on the importance of kidney health
• Spreading awareness on social media
• Making a donation

For more information, visit: https://www.worldkidneyday.org/about/world-kidney-day/

World Glaucoma week runs from 7-13th March this year. It is an important opportunity to raise awareness about glaucoma as a potentially blinding eye disease and to stress the importance of regular optic nerve checks. This is an issue which needs to be stressed as glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.

Over 300,000 Australians have glaucoma. While it is more common as people grow older, it can occur at any age. As our population becomes older, the proportion of glaucoma patients is increasing.

“Every one in 200 people aged 40 have glaucoma, which rises to one in eight by age 80.”

Beat invisible Glaucoma this march by:

• Informing your friends and families of the risks of Glaucoma
• Register to hold a breakfast
• Become a Glaucoma ambassador
• Raise awareness on social media
• Make a donation

For more information, visit: https://www.worldglaucomaweek.org/about-world-glaucoma-week/