Join Us in Raising Awareness for These Causes in January
By Theo Smith, 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 Health Awareness Month
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. Nearly 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, but the disease is preventable with vaccination and appropriate screenings. The National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) highlight issues related to cervical cancer, HPV disease, and the importance of early detection. NCCC and the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) also offer a range of resources to educate the public and health care providers about cervical health.
Ways to get involved:
- Post on social media to promote cervical health.
- Get involved in local chapter events to promote cervical health.
- Donate to cervical health research.
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, an important time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease. The Glaucoma Research Foundation works to promote eye health and research glaucoma. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Currently, more than 3 million people in the United States have glaucoma. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision.
Ways to get involved:
- Share the online toolkit on social media.
- Learn about different types of glaucoma and how it can affect your health.
- Watch a video about scientists researching for a cure for glaucoma.
National Blood Donor Month
Blood donations typically drop off during and immediately after the winter holidays, which makes National Blood Donor Month in January a critical time for the American Red Cross. The Red Cross needs to collect more than 13,000 donations every day to keep the blood supply ready and available to meet the needs of about 2,600 hospitals, clinics, and cancer centers across the country.
Ways to get involved:
- Promote blood donation on social media.
- Find a blood drive near you.
- Volunteer at your local Red Cross center.
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
January is Birth Defects Prevention Month. The National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) has developed materials and resources to assist state program staff and others interested in raising awareness during National Birth Defects Prevention Month. The NBDPN knows that not all birth defects can be prevented but it is important that future parents take steps to increase the chance of having the healthiest baby.
Ways to get involved:
- Share posts on social media to promote birth defect prevention awareness.
- Read their educational toolkit.
- Watch videos on how to prevent birth defects.
