By Theo Smith, Communications Intern
Patient advocacy organizations work tirelessly to educate, promote, advocate, and raise awareness and funding for their causes. Awareness events 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 Kidney Month
March is National Kidney Month. The National Kidney Foundation is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease for hundreds of thousands of health care professionals, millions of patients and their families, and tens of millions of Americans at risk. Additionally, the American Kidney Fund provides a complete spectrum of programs and services; prevention outreach; top-rated health educational resources; and direct financial assistance enabling kidney patients to access lifesaving medical care, including dialysis and transplantation. This month, these organizations will help advocate for the 37 million lives affected by kidney disease.
Ways to get involved:
- Share information about the importance of kidney health on social media.
- Change your profile picture on Facebook to support the National Kidney Foundation.
- Watch and share videos about kidney health.
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
In February 2000, President Clinton dedicated March to colorectal cancer awareness. Since then, it has grown to be a rallying point for the colorectal cancer community where thousands of patients, survivors, caregivers, and advocates throughout the country join together to spread awareness. The Colorectal Cancer Alliance works to empower a nation of allies to provide support for patients and families, caregivers, and survivors; to raise awareness or preventative measures; and inspire efforts to fund critical research.
Ways to get involved:
- Use the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s social media toolkit.
- Learn more about colorectal cancer, view the informative pamphlet.
- Visit the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s resource guide.
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Every March, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) observes Brain Injury Awareness Month. This organization engages in public awareness campaigns, education about brain injuries, resources for those recovering from a brain injury, and more. The theme of this year’s awareness campaign is “Change Your Mind About Brain Injuries.” The BIAA works to de-stigmatize brain injury through outreach within the brain injury community, empower those who have survived brain injury and their caregivers, and promote support for those living with a brain injury.
Ways to get involved:
- Download graphics and share them on social media.
- Buy apparel in support of brain injury awareness month.
- Read personal stories about brain injuries.
National Endometriosis Awareness Month
March is National Endometriosis Awareness Month. The Endometriosis Foundation of America strives to increase disease recognition, provide advocacy, facilitate expert surgical training, and fund landmark endometriosis research. There are an estimated 176 million women suffering from endometriosis and this organization helps connect women with information and resources about endometriosis.
Ways to get involved:
- Read about how National Endometriosis Awareness Month began.
- Share your story.
- Learn more about endometriosis.
Awareness Days:
March 8-14: World Sleep Awareness Week
March 12: World Kidney Day
March 24: World Tuberculosis Day
March 26: Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness