This week allows a time to focus attention on haemochromatosis and for people to raise awareness of the condition in the community. Haemochromatosis is still diagnosed far too late for many people. Others struggle for years with unexplained symptoms while the condition is overlooked

Haemochromatosis is the most common genetic disorder in Australia.

People with haemochromatosis absorb too much iron from their diet.  Over time this leads to iron overload. If undetected and untreated, the excess iron can cause organ or tissue damage and can potentially result in premature death.

Join the action this June by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Making a donation
• Putting up posters about the cause

For more information, visit:
https://haemochromatosis.org.au/whw/

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/

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, visit: 
https://thyroidfoundation.org.au/World-Thyroid-Day

National Palliative Care Week is an initiative to mark the importance of palliative care in the Australian community.

“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-2020

Kiss Goodbye to MS is a day to recognise the prevelance of MS in society. MS is the result of damage to myelin – a protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system. When myelin is damaged, this interferes with messages between the brain and other parts of the body.

‘The average age of diagnosis with MS is just 30, and 3 out of 4 Australians with MS are women.’

There are 25,600 Australians living with MS currently.

Get involved this May by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Volunteering
• Making a donation

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

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 – Nursing the World to Health”.

“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:
https://www.icn.ch/what-we-do/campaigns/international-nurses-day

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month is held during May each year to raise community awareness and promote a clear message that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated in our communities.

To get involved this May:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Volunteer with domestic violence oriented foundation
• Donate
• Organise an event

For more information, visit:
 www.domesticviolence.com.au/pages/domestic-violence-prevention-month-1st-31st-may-20.php

World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world.

Around 2.7 million Australians (one in nine or 11.2% of the total population) had asthma in 2017-18. Over the last 10 years, the prevalence of asthma increased in the Australian population from 9.9% in 2007-08 to 11.2% in 2017-18.

Get involved this May by:

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

For more information, visit:
https://ginasthma.org/wad/

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

In 2017, some 2.5 million newborns died, mostly from preventable causes. Almost two-thirds of babies who die were born premature. And even if they survive, these babies face chronic diseases or developmental delays. In addition, an estimated 1 million small and sick newborns survive with a long-term disability.

To get involved:

• Donate to the foundation
• Raise awareness on social media
• Host an event
• Volunteer

For more information, visit:
https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/get-involved/events/miracle-month-of-may/

World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an international campaign to promote safe and healthy work ethics. These are crucial in moving ahead in our fast paced society to maintain quality of life and working standards.

“Every year some two million men and women lose their lives through accidents and diseases linked to their work.”

Get involved this April by:

• Learning about the safety and healthy protocols
• Donating to the foundation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing family and friends of the risks

For more information, visit: 
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/topics/world-day-safety-and-health-work