Join Us in Raising Awareness for These Causes in June

By Deasia Lamar, Communications Intern 

Patient advocacy organizations work tirelessly to educate, promote, advocate, and raise awareness and funding for their causes. Here’s how you can help advance and support these groups’ missions and spread awareness. 

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month 

Join the Alzheimer’s Association in celebrating June as Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 50 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias worldwide. This June, join the association in going purple to raise awareness. During the month of June, the Alzheimer’s Association will host a social media campaign, as well as the “Longest Day” on June 20, 2021, where participants come together to fight Alzheimer’s through an activity of their choice.  

Ways to get involved: 

• Turn Facebook purple by changing profile pictures. 
• Shop for purple attire to wear during the month on June. 
• Use #endalz or #endAlzheimers on social media to join the conversation.  
• Join the fight by starting an Alzheimer’s Fundraiser. 

Cataract Awareness Month 

June is Cataract Awareness Month. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens, which blocks or changes the passage of light into the eye. According to Prevent Blindness, cataract is the world’s leading cause of blindness, accounting for approximately 42 percent of all cases of blindness in all nations, This June, Prevent Blindness is dedicated to raising awareness for cataract by educating the public on symptoms, types of cataracts, cataract surgery, and more. 

Ways to get involved: 

• Make a donation to Prevent Blindness. 
• Stay updated on upcoming events.  
• Check out Prevent Blindness on social media.  
• Read recent news by Prevent Blindness.  

Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month 

Join the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) in observing June as Myasthenia Gravis Awareness month. June is an important time to take action and create awareness and understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by those in the MG Community. This year, the MGFA is “changing” the theme to MG Action Month – Turning Awareness into Action – and offering specific calls to action for the MG community and beyond to find creative ways to connect those with MG.  

Ways to get involved: 

• Check out the latest MGFA Awareness Toolkit.  
• Read through the MGFA Awareness “How To” Presentation. 
• Stay updated on upcoming MGFA events in June. 
• Make a donation to the MGFA.  

Men’s Health Month 

June is Men’s Health Month. This June, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health is raising awareness for adolescent boys’ and men’s health. The focus for Men’s Health Month is to encourage boys, men, and their families to practice and implement healthy living decisions, such as exercising and eating healthy. The HHS OMH invites communities to join in on encouraging men to take control of their health and for families to teach young boys healthy habits during childhood. 

Ways to get involved: 

• Participate in Wear Blue Day on Friday June 19. 
• Share these Men’s Health Month Graphics. 
• Follow the Office of Minority Health on social media. 
• Sign up for the OMH newsletter for more updates. 

Pride Month 

The Trevor Project is a national organization dedicated to providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning young people under the age of 25. The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ+ youth. This June, The Trevor Project continues to work on advocating and raising awareness for the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth.  

Ways to get involved: 

• Give a donation to The Trevor Project. 
• Become a Trevor Project Volunteer.  
• Sign up to receive emails.  
• Stay up to date with The Trevor Project on social media.  

Join the National Health Council (NHC) in celebrating June as Pride Month. During the month of June, the National Health Council celebrates LGBTQ+ community members, family, and friends. The NHC advocates for health equity and access to high-quality, affordable health care for all people, including the LGBTQ+ community. Check out the NHC’s resources on health equity, diversity, and inclusion here. 

Awareness Days: 

• National Cancer Survivors Day (June 6) 
• Family Health and Fitness Day (June 12) 
• World Blood Donor Day (June 14) 
• Juneteenth (June 19) 
• World Sickle Cell Day (June 19) 
• National HIV Testing Day (June 27)