Join Us in Raising Awareness for These Causes in November

11/04/2019

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.

National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. President Ronald Reagan first made the designation in 1983. The Alzheimer’s Association is celebrating both National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month because more than 16 million Americans care for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Join in honoring their love and dedication by leaving a tribute message at alz.org/honor.

National Diabetes Month

November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. The American Diabetes Association works to educate, advocate, and research diabetes. Adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to die from heart disease or stroke as people without diabetes. This is because over time, high blood glucose from diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart.

Ways to get involved:

  • Visit American Diabetes Association to learn more about diabetes.
  • Find a Step Out Walk near you.
  • Donate, to make a difference.
  • Volunteer with a local chapter of ADA.

COPD Awareness Month

November marks National COPD Awareness Month. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,  or COPD, is an umbrella term used to describe progressive lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. This disease is characterized by increasing breathlessness. The COPD Foundation was established to undertake initiatives that result in expanded services for COPD and to improve the lives of individuals affected by COPD.

Ways to get involved:

  • Participate in the U.S. COPD Coalition meeting on November 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET. Register here to join the meeting via webinar.
  • Participate in the Twitter Chat of your choice. Providers are urged to participate in the #COPDChat, November 9 at 12 p.m.
  • Download the COPD Awareness Month social media toolkit to inform and educate your social network about the #MeAndCOPD campaign.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time to raise awareness about lung cancer and why lung health is important. The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education, and advocacy.

Ways to get involved:

  • Register for a LUNG FORCE walk near you.
  • Learn more about lung cancer from the American Lung Association.
  • Become an advocate of lung cancer.

National Epilepsy Awareness Month

This year during National Epilepsy Awareness Month (NEAM), the Epilepsy Foundation is rolling out #StaySafeSide, a nationwide effort to highlight the importance of recognizing a seizure and promote seizure first aid. The Epilepsy Foundation works to increase awareness and change the conversation around epilepsy, improve and save lives through care, advocacy, research and new therapies, education, and mobilizing everyone to take action.

Ways to get involved:

  • Educate yourself and others about seizure first aid.
  • Tune into the Epilepsy Foundation of America’s Facebook Live on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
  • Encourage others to take action and share the #StaySafeSide campaign on social media.

National Family Caregivers Month

November is National Family Caregivers Month. Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age.

Ways to get involved:

  • Download the Caregiver Action Network’s social media toolkit and share to you social network.
  • Learn more about family caregivers.
  • Read 10 Tips for Family Caregivers to learn about how to be an effective family caregiver.

Find comfort in knowing that you are not alone by listening to the experiences of your fellow caregivers. Check out the video resource center.

Awareness Days:

  • World Prematurity Day (Nov. 17)
  • World Antibiotic Awareness Week (Nov. 18 – 24)
  • GERD Awareness Week (Nov. 24 – 30)
  • National Family History Month (Nov. 28)