Join Us in Raising Awareness for These Causes in January

01/04/2021

By Deasia Lamar, Communications Intern 

Patient advocacy organizations work tirelessly to educate, promote, advocate, and raise awareness and funding for their causes. Awareness months give us the opportunity to rally around a common objective and show these organizations how much we appreciate their work. Here’s how you can help advance these groups’ missions and spread awareness. 

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month 

Join the American Cancer Society in celebrating January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society, there have been an estimated 13,800 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in 2020 alone. The American Cancer Society is committed to helping prevent cervical cancer, developing guidelines that help find cervical cancer, and providing support and information about treatment options and coping with physical and emotional side effects. The American Cancer Society also funds research that leads to finding better ways to prevent, detect, and treat cervical cancer. This January, the American Cancer Society will continue working to prevent and treat cervical cancer through its programs, research, and support.  

Ways to get involved: 

National Glaucoma Awareness Month 

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes loss of sight by damaging a part of the eye called the optic nerve. According to Prevent Blindness, there are more than an estimated 3.7 million older adults in the United States with glaucoma. To help educate the public on glaucoma, including risk factors, symptoms, treatment options, and more Prevent Blindness, in partnership with Responsum Health, has launched the new resource, “The Glaucoma Community.” Join Prevent Blindness in observing January as National Glaucoma Awareness Month. 

Ways to get involved: 

National Birth Defects Prevention Month 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognizes January as National Birth Defects Prevention Month. According to the CDC, birth defects affect one in every 33 babies born in the U.S. each year. Although not all birth defects are preventable, there are steps that can be taken to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby. The CDC offers five helpful tips for preventing birth defects during pregnancy, as well as a digital campaign toolkit to help spread the word about preventing birth defects. Join the CDC in their effort to prevent birth defects. 

Ways to get involved: 

  • Take this “How Much Do You Know About Birth Defects?” Quiz.  
  • Check out this infographic about preventing birth defects.  
  • Read these stories about real families living with birth defects.  
  • Use the National Birth Defects Prevention Month hashtag #Best4YouBest4Baby on social media