Join Us in Raising Awareness for these Causes this November

11/02/2020

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. 

National Family Caregivers Month 

November is National Family Caregivers Month. Family caregivers regularly manage health emergencies, juggle priorities, and suffer isolation. As the COVID pandemic continues, caregivers may find it increasingly difficult to cope with demands. To address these mounting challenges, the Caregiver Action Network recognizes and honors family caregivers across the country. The theme for 2020’s National Family Caregivers Month is “Caregiving in Crisis.” This November, Caregiver Action Network addresses the new realities that family caregivers face with their loved ones during these uncertain times through a series of programs and events celebrating and educating caregivers.  

Ways to get involved: 

  • Follow and like CAN on Twitter and Facebook. 
  • Click here for a downloadable version of this year’s infographic. 
  • Check out the Caregivers Action Network website to read five compelling caregiver essays that illustrate the challenges of “Caregiving in Crisis.” 

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month 

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, which occurs every November, was established to honor the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s, through advocacy for a cure, awareness and education. The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

American Diabetes Month  

The American Diabetes Association celebrates November as American Diabetes Month. Millions of people in the United States are at risk for diabetes. Every year, the American Diabetes Association community comes together to ring the alarm on the diabetes epidemic. The ADA uses November to alert people of diabetes risks, research, and the American Diabetes Association mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Visit the ADA website for updates in this year’s Diabetes Month campaign. 

Ways to get involved: 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month 

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is a term used to describe chronic lung diseases including emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. In order to combat COPD, the COPD Foundation is dedicated to speed innovations which will make treatment more effective and affordable, to undertake initiatives that result in expanded services for COPD patients and improve the lives of patients with COPD and related disorders. Through scientific research, education, and awareness, the COPD Foundation hopes to lead to the prevention of and stop the progression of COPD. Held every November, COPD Awareness Month is aimed to help people understand the impact COPD has on the community and the advances that the COPD Foundation is making every day.  

Ways to get involved: 

Lung Cancer Awareness Month 

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Founded by patients and survivors, GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer, transforms survivorship as the world’s leading organization dedicated to saving, extending, and improving the lives of those vulnerable, at risk, and diagnosed with lung cancer. The GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer celebrates November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month through a series of events and advocacy opportunities spanning the month of November. The GO2 Foundation for Lung cancer hopes to impact the lung cancer community to unite to raise awareness and funds, educate, and spread hope. 

Ways to get involved: 

The American Lung Association‘s LUNG FORCE initiative is uniting women and their loved ones across the country to stand together against lung cancer, the #1 cancer killer of women and men in the U.S. This November, the American Lung Association aims to raise critical awareness about lung cancer and turn the tide against this disease. LUNG FORCE through the American Lung Association will host an interactive campaign to observe November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Join the ALA as they aid in the fight against lung cancer this month. 

Ways to get involved: 

National Epilepsy Awareness Month 

Join the Epilepsy Foundation in observing November as National Epilepsy Awareness Month. One-third of people with epilepsy live with uncontrolled seizures. The Epilepsy Foundation aims to raise funds for research to improve treatments and to support programs that can help improve quality of life for people with epilepsy. During November, the Epilepsy Foundation is using this time to raise awareness for epilepsy, as well as proper seizure first aid, which can be helpful to help people with epilepsy. Join the Epilepsy Foundation this November as they continue to raise awareness through their #NEAM2020 campaign.  

Ways to get involved: 

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month  

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Join the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network this November in the fight against the world’s toughest cancer. This year alone, more than 56,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This November the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will host a series of events to observe Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month, in hopes of spreading awareness and raising funds to help dispel pancreatic cancer.  

Ways to get involved: 

Awareness Weeks/ Days: 

  • World Antibiotic Awareness Week (Nov. 11–17)
  • World Prematurity Day (Nov. 17)
  • GERD Awareness Week (Nov. 17–23)
  • International Survivors of Suicide Day (Nov. 21)
  • National Family Health History Day (Nov. 26)