Category: March Month

  • DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH – March

    DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH

    Each year in March, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month focuses increased awareness on the needs of those with developmental disabilities. The observance also highlights their potential in schools, work, and home.

    A developmental disability is a condition usually diagnosed during a child’s development and before adulthood. Developmental disabilities impair several areas of development such as physical, learning, language, or behavior.

    A variety of conditions fall into the category of developmental disabilities. However, early diagnosis is one of the keys to limiting the impact of a disability on a child’s long-term development. Developmental milestones such as language, response to sounds, walking, and following simple instructions are just a few milestones in a child’s development. Families and physicians monitor these milestones to identify possible delays.

    Screenings also help to identify developmental disabilities. Before and after birth, a mother’s OB-GYN and the pediatrician screen and monitor a child’s progress.

    The month also highlights programs and tools that assist those with developmental disabilities to reach their fullest potential. Organizations specializing in the needs of those with developmental disabilities are constantly improving access to resources and increasing the general public’s awareness.

    HOW TO OBSERVE #DevelopmentalDisabilitiesAwarenessMonth

    • Learn about the different types of disabilities.
    • Read first-hand stories by people with developmental disabilities. We suggest:
      • Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century by Alice Wong
      • Look Me In the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s by John Elder Robinson
      • How Can I Talk If My Lips Don’t Move: Inside My Autistic Mind by Tito Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay
      • The Year My Son and I Were Born: A Story of Down Syndrome, Motherhood, and Self-Discovery by Kathryn Lynard Soper
    • Share your stories.
    • Seek support from local organizations.
    • Help raise awareness by sharing this day on social media.
    • Use #DevelopmentalDisabilitiesAwarenessMonth on social media.

    NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH HISTORY

    In 1987, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

  • NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINING MONTH – March

    NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINING MONTH

    Every March, National Athletic Training Month focuses on the impact Athletic Trainers (ATs) have on the safety and well-being of their clients and patients. All month long, participants celebrate ATs dedication to their profession.

    Athletic Trainers offer expert care and are trained, medical professionals. They work in a variety of settings, providing preventative services, rehabilitative, and emergency services.

    ATs serve in some of the following settings:

    • clinics/hospitals
    • colleges/universities
    • secondary schools
    • military
    • police force
    • fire departments
    • performing arts

    ATs develop programs to prevent injury. They evaluate their patients and ensure they receive necessary screenings. In the event of injury, ATs develop rehabilitation plans designed to return their patient safely to the level of performance before the injury. ATs are also able to asses and refer patients for specialized care.

    HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalAthleticTrainingMonth

    Give an athletic trainer you know a shout out. Thank them for their care, professional knowledge, and support. If you’re an athletic trainer, encourage someone interested in the profession. Attend a career fair and share your experience. Thank someone who supported you in your career path. If you’re interested in becoming an athletic trainer, explore career options and education. Learn more about the profession and where to begin.  Use #NationalAlthleticTrainingMonth to share on social media.

    NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINING MONTH HISTORY

    National Athletic Trainers Association promotes National Athletic Training Month to spread the importance of ATs and the valuable work they do all over the country. In previous years, the organization has sponsored a theme with the promotion. Past themes have included:

    • 2020: ATs Impact Health Care Through Action
    • 2019: ATs Are Health Care
    • 2018: Compassionate care for all.
    • 2017: Your protection is our priority.

    The promotion also includes a PR and video contest.

  • NATIONAL CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS MONTH – March

    NATIONAL CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS MONTH

    In March, National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month brings attention to a group of disorders usually diagnosed in early childhood.

    There are different forms of cerebral palsy (CP). A physician determines the kind of movement disorder based on the extent, type, and location of the child’s abnormalities. The disability can occur during development in the womb, but it can also occur during birth. As a result, diagnosis may be delayed until parents notice missed milestones.

    CP is a life-long condition. Children and adults with CP may require a range of care. While there is no cure, many therapies and adaptive strategies support someone with CP throughout their life. For example, speech devices make it possible for someone with CP to speak independently. Electric wheelchairs provide mobility. However, accessibility is still an issue in some areas of the country.

    Through advocacy, research, and education improved awareness breaks down the barriers many with CP face.

    HOW TO OBSERVE #CelebralPalsyAwarenessMonth

    Wear green in support of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. Green represents new growth and inspires a renewed life. You can also:

    • Read books to learn more about cerebral palsy. For example:
      • Someone Like Me: An Unlikely Story of Challenge and Triumph Over Cerebral Palsy by John W. Quin
      • Cerebral Palsy: No Child Left Behind by J.B. Snow and Jayden Emily Schultz
      • The Four Friends Next Door: A Celebration of Special Needs by Nabila S. Qadri
    • Watch TV shows or movies about cerebral palsy or that feature characters who have cerebral palsy:
      • My Left Foot directed by Jim Sheridan and starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Alison Whelan, and Kirsten Sheridan
      • Speechless starring Minnie Driver, John Ross Bowie, Cedric Yarbrough, and Mason Cook.
    • Attend a webinar to learn more about cerebral palsy.
    • Donate to a fundraiser to support those with cerebral palsy and research for treatments and a cure.
    • Visit cerebralpalsynewstoday.com to learn more.

    Use #CerebralPalsyAwarenessMonth to share your experiences on social media.

    NATIONAL CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS MONTH HISTORY

    Several groups promote National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, including Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare and cerebralpalsynewstoday.com.

  • NATIONAL BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH – March

    NATIONAL BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH

    National Brain Injury Awareness Month in March alerts us to the causes and aims to eliminate the stigma surrounding brain injuries.

    When it comes to brain injuries, not a single injury or person is the same. The month is dedicated to improving awareness of brain injuries. Providing quality support for people with brain injuries and understanding their needs will improve their outcomes for the future. Changing the world’s perspective to understand how brain injuries work is a difficult task.

    While anyone can suffer from a brain injury, it’s important to remember that everyone is a person first. They are not their injury. Each person has hopes and dreams, and they are not their injury. Each injury affects a person differently. How we support the person and treat the injury will require understanding and patience.

    Prevention

    Learning the signs of a concussion and when to seek medical attention can mean the difference between mild and severe injuries. Repeat injuries require additional attention.

    Two types of brain injuries are traumatic and non-traumatic. Traumatic brain injuries occur due to motor vehicle accidents, sports or recreational injuries, domestic violence, falls, and other external forces. Causes of Non-traumatic brain injuries begin internally due to disease, poisoning, a hereditary condition, lack of oxygen, stroke, or other internal medical condition.

    According to the Department of Defense, one of the keys to recognizing a concussion and getting immediate treatment is identifying these symptoms:

    • H – headaches or vomiting
    • E – ears ringing
    • A – amnesia, altered consciousness, or loss of consciousness
    • D – double vision and/or dizziness
    • S – something is wrong, or not quite right

    HOW TO OBSERVE #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth #ChangeYourMind

    Learn more about supporting those with brain injuries, prevention, and more. Visit www.biausa.org to learn more. Use #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth and #ChangeYourMind to share on social media.

    NATIONAL BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH HISTORY

    National Brain Injury Awareness Month has been observed since 1993.

  • NATIONAL BREAST IMPLANT AWARENESS MONTH – March

    NATIONAL BREAST IMPLANT AWARENESS MONTH

    Throughout March, National Breast Implant Awareness Month alerts us to the truth about breast implants.

    The observance is dedicated to providing valuable information for those who have implants and those considering them. Seeking all avenues of information provides valuable insight to the decision-making process. Before committing to surgery consider the risks, types of implants, and how they are managed as they all factor into your overall health. Areas to research:

    • Breastfeeding
    • Mammograms
    • Breast reconstruction
    • Insurance
    • Symptoms
    • Support system

    In 2006, the FDA recognized that there were limited data on rare events and long-term outcomes with regards to silicone gel-filled breast implants. Long term studies on both silicone and saline filled implants were required and started for several populations.

    National Breast Implant Awareness Month Symptom List

    Informed Consent Laws are one way to protect women in your state. Informed consent includes:

    • An ingredients list of the shell of all implants
    • ALCL risks and a clear explanation that it is a cancer of the immune system
    • The requirement that plastic surgeons test women for autoimmune illness prior to implanting
    • No mammograms with breast implants; only MRI and Ultrasound or even Thermography
    • Having surgeons follow women for a minimum of 10 years with a goal of 12-15 years to make sure these women know they need to have the implant and capsule removed every 12-15 years; implants are not a lifetime device

    National Breast Implant Awareness Month - Graphic

    Find the right questions to ask and where to look during National Breast Implant Awareness Month.

    HOW TO OBSERVE #BreastImplantAwarenessMonth

    Educate yourself about the risks associated with breast implants. Find out more from those who have been through it first at www.titscommittee.org.

    If you suspect your illness is caused by a breast implant visit The Implant Truth Survivors Committee link above,  www.discoverbreastimplantillness.com or  www.toxicdiscovery.com for more resources.

    Share your own experience by using #BreastImplantAwarenessMonth on social media.

    NATIONAL BREAST IMPLANT AWARENESS MONTH HISTORY

    The Implant Truth Survivors Committee founded National Breast Implant Awareness Month in March of 2018 to help women make informed decisions about breast implants and to educate them about the risks associated with all kinds of breast implants. By bringing resources to women that are not readily available elsewhere, National Implant Awareness Month hopes to make a positive impact in the lives of women and improve their chances of preventing illness.

    The Implant Truth Survivors Committee would like to thank Toxic Discovery, The National Breast Implant Task Force, Dr. Melmed, all the ladies who donated and continue to donate, and Discover Breast Implant Illness for their support. 

    In 2018, the Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Breast Implant Awareness Month to be observed annually in March.

  • ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS MONTH – March

    ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS MONTH

    March brings women, families, and medical communities together for Endometriosis Awareness Month. During this time, millions of people worldwide honor this month to recognize the 176 million women who suffer from this disease.

    Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue much like endometrial tissue (the inner lining of the uterus) migrates to areas outside the uterus. Areas it impacts include ovaries and the Fallopian tubes but can spread even farther. In addition, endometrial-like cells may also transport to other parts of the body. This causes extreme pain in the pelvic region. It can also cause:

    • cysts
    • adhesions
    • heavy periods
    • bleeding between periods
    • infertility.

    This month, we stand together in support of women who suffer from endometriosis, and we push for funding so that a cure can be found.

    HOW TO OBSERVE #EndometriosisAwarenessMonth

    Learn more about the causes of and treatments for endometriosis. Use #EndometriosisAwarenessMonth and EndoMarch to share on social media. Here are some other ways you can participate this month.

    1. Speak up. It’s easy, and it’s effective. If you raise your voice about important issues like this, people will listen. Get talking.
    2. Post on social media. Whether it’s fact-sharing, raising awareness, a personal story, or simply sharing this blog, the more we make it known, the better.
    3. Be a part of something. Attend endometriosis events hosted in communities all over the country, all year long. Find one near you and attend.
    4. Educate, and be educated. The more we know and spread the truth, the more others will start to care, and the closer we will be to a cure or better treatments for endometriosis.

    ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS MONTH HISTORY

    The movement of Endometriosis Awareness began in 1993 when Mary Lou Ballweg was one of eight women who founded it. It first started as a week-long time to recognize those suffering from endometriosis. Eventually, the observance blossomed and grew into Endometriosis Awareness Month that’s now observed every year in the United States.

  • MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AWARENESS MONTH – March

    MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AWARENESS MONTH

    Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month during March encourages support for the nearly 400,000 people diagnosed in the United States with this unpredictable disorder.

    While not contagious, it can be devastating if untreated and challenging to diagnose. Symptoms often develop over time. Many times, physicians rule out other conditions before making a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.

    It is a disease of the central nervous system, affecting the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. Each day, those living with multiple sclerosis do everything they can to push forward. Despite all the challenges they face, they persevere and often, with treatment, you and I wouldn’t know the struggles they overcome.

    Common signs of the disease include trouble walking, difficulty maintaining balance, fatigue, numbness or tingling, and vision problems. These symptoms can vary widely depending on which nerves are affected and the level of damage to the nerves.

    “Multiple sclerosis may be a part of who you are, but it doesn’t define you as a person. You are who you are, and MS can’t take that away from you.” -Clarissa, diagnosed in 2006

    MS destroys the myelin surrounding the nerves and over time results in reduced communication between the nerves and the brain.  Symptoms include visual issues, difficulty with balance and coordination which ultimately limits mobility, and overwhelming fatigue.

    HOW TO OBSERVE #MultipleSclerosisAwarenessMonth

    Learn more about multiple sclerosis and its symptoms. Visit www.mymsaa.org to find out how to provide support to a loved one or a friend who has MS.   Use #MultipleSclerosisAwarenessMonth to share on social media. Reach out to someone you know who has multiple sclerosis. Talk openly with them about it to learn more. While it may be a tad uncomfortable at first, they will be glad you wanted to learn more.

    “Even when we’re in periods of remission, we are struggling psychologically on a daily basis.” -Meagan Freeman, family nurse practitioner

    MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AWARENESS MONTH HISTORY

    The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America sponsors Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month along with many other programs.

  • IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH – March

    IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

    Irish-American Heritage Month during March in the United States, Americans recognize the numerous contributions of Irish-Americans to the U.S. throughout the years. From the founding fathers to innovative transportation, arts and culture, Irish immigrants for generations left deep roots in the American landscape.

    Criss-crossing the country, Irish-American Heritage holds rich traditions and an unmistakable can-do spirit. Their infectious character and indomitable personalities have brought us 22 presidents including Ulysses S. Grant, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Regan, and Barack Obama to name a few.  From inventor and businessman, Henry Ford to journalist Nellie Bly, author F. Scott Fitzgerald and dancer Gene Kelly, their endless talents fill many roles.

    HOW TO OBSERVE #IrishAmericanHeritageMonth

    Share stories and Irish-American heritage throughout March. Read about the Irish in America or watch a documentary. We’ve provided a few suggestions below. Explore the archives of your local museum and heritage center to learn their traditions and culture. Discover their language and family bonds. How did they impact the country and what traditions did they bring with them or leave behind?

    • Out of Ireland: The Story of Irish Emigration to America by Kerby A Miller and Paul Wagner
    • The Irish Americans: A History by Jay P. Dolan
    • The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys by Doris Kearns Goodwin
    • Or watch The Irish in America: Long Journey Home

    Celebrate the enduring contributions of the Irish-American and us #IrishAmericanHeritage to share on social media.

    IRISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH HISTORY

    Since 1991, presidents of both political parties have designated March as Irish-American Heritage Month with a goal to honor the contribution that Irish immigrants and their descendants have played in the formation of the United States. President Donald Trump declared the Month of March as Irish-American Heritage Month in 2017.  Visit www.whitehouse.gov to view the proclamation in its entirety.

  • NATIONAL COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH – March

    NATIONAL COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

    National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month reminds us that early detection is key to treating colorectal cancers. The month-long observance shines a spotlight on risk factors, research, and aims to raise awareness.

    According to the American Cancer Society, more than a million people in the United States count themselves as survivors. While early detection and treatments make a difference, there is more that can be done. Knowing the causes and risk factors helps prevent colorectal cancer.

    Risk Factors We Control
    • Diet – Studies show that diets rich in red and processed meats may contribute to colorectal cancer risks.  Also, how we prepare our proteins may increase our risk, too. Grilling, frying, and high-temperature cooking release chemicals that may contribute to colorectal cancer risks. Diets full of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains reduce our risk of colon cancer as well as other health risks.
    • Exercise – Sedentary lifestyles and obesity are two more risk factors for colorectal cancer. Once again, physical activity helps to reduce our risk factors for another disease.
    • Smoking and heavy alcohol use – Quit the one and limit the other. Ask your physician if you need help with either one.
    • Family history – While you can’t control this, you can know it. Report it to your primary care physician so if your family history shows an increased risk for you, she can decide if you need early screening. Knowledge is power.

    HOW TO OBSERVE #ColorectalCancerAwarenessMonth

    Take action during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Speak with your doctor about your risk factors and collect your family history.

    Visit www.cancer.org to learn more about risk factors, early detection, and treatment. Use #ColorectalCancerAwarenessMonth to share on social media.

    NATIONAL COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH HISTORY

    President Bill Clinton dedicated March as National Colon Cancer Awareness Month in 2000.

  • NATIONAL KIDNEY MONTH – March

    NATIONAL KIDNEY MONTH

    National Kidney Month during March is a reminder to give our kidneys a check-up. Statistics show that 1 in 3 Americans are at high risk for kidney disease because of diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney failure. On top of that, 30 million Americans already have kidney disease, and many of them are not aware of it because symptoms usually don’t show until the disease has progressed.

    Our kidneys are crucial for 3 main reasons. They regulate water, they remove waste and regulate minerals, and they produce hormones. Located in our lower back, these two hard-working organs also filter 200 liters of blood a day! Keeping our kidneys healthy is vital to a long and productive life.

    HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalKidneyMonth

    Learn more about caring for your kidneys at www.kidney.org and use #NationalKidneyMonth to share on social media. Schedule a checkup, and learn what symptoms to keep an eye out for to know if your kidneys are starting to fail or become infected. Here’s what else you can do this month to protect your kidneys:

    1. Control your blood pressure (and diabetes if you have it.) These are the two leading causes of kidney disease and kidney failure.
    2. Exercise often. Regular exercise keeps your kidneys healthy by keeping things moving and controlling blood pressure.
    3. Cut out processed foods. They tend to be big sources of sodium, nitrates, and phosphates, and they’ve been linked to kidney disease.
    4. Try to reduce over-the-counter pain medicines. They may help with aches and pains, but they can greatly damage your kidneys.

    NATIONAL KIDNEY MONTH HISTORY

    National Kidney Foundation supports National Kidney Month.