Join Us in Raising Awareness for These Causes This December

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. 

Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week (December 1-7, 2020) 

Join the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation in celebrating December 1-7 as Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week. Millions of Americans live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, and countless others, including friends and family members, are touched by these diseases. Everyone experiences these diseases differently, and no one day looks the same in the life of a member of the IBD community. During Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week, The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation will explore what it is like to spend a day in the life of patients, caregivers, health care professionals, researchers, and other members of the IBD community.  

Ways to get involved: 

• Create your own Day in the Life infographic! 
• Raise awareness and receive a free, limited-edition #IBDVisible shirt! 
• Add a sticker to your social media posts! 
• Read these #spillyourguts IBD stories.  

Handwashing Awareness Week (December 6-12, 2020) 

Healthy hand hygiene is a must during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. According to the CDC, handwashing can reduce the risk of respiratory infections by 16% . Healthy hand hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of infections, which can complications in patients with chronic conditions. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention created the “Life is Better with Clean Hands” campaign in order to spread awareness and promote healthy hand hygiene. This December, the CDC continues to advocate for healthy hand hygiene and invites everyone to learn more about healthy hand hygiene practices.  

Ways to get Involved: 

• Remember these handwashing instructions and share with your friends and family. 
• Share these CDC print materials.  
• Share a “Life is Better with Clean Hands” social media graphic.  
• Read these hand hygiene FAQs. 

Influenza Vaccination Week (December 6- 12, 2020) 

The 2020–21 flu season has officially begun. It is important for everyone, especially people with chronic diseases and disabilities, to get vaccinated each year against the flu virus. During the COVID-19 pandemic, flu vaccination is especially important to prevent hospitals from overextending capacities. The National Health Council is working to bring awareness to the public about flu vaccinations through the #GetVaccinated campaign. Join the NHC this December in observing December 6-12, 2020 as Influenza Vaccination Week. The NHC is offering a series of resources to aid in the prevention of spreading the flu this season.  

Ways to get involved: 

• Watch the National Health Council’s video on the importance of flu shots. 
• Check out this myth buster sheet on common flu shot misconceptions. 
• Check out the NHC #GetVaccinated flu campaign social media toolkit. 
• Read this #GetVaccinated blog.  

Awareness Days:

–Dec. 1: World AIDS Day 

–Dec. 3: International Day of Disabled Persons