April is a month that is jam packed with Health and Wellbeing awareness days covering a vast spectrum of diseases and areas of interest. Below is your heads up calendar for the month ahead.
- Stress Awareness Month: Stress Awareness Month was first held in April 1992; it is sponsored by the Stress Management Society. The theme for this year relates to the stresses of the past year living with the global pandemic: Regain Connection, Certainty and Control.
- Stop Bowel Cancer Awareness Month: Bowel Cancer is the second biggest cause of deaths due to cancer in the UK. However, it is treatable and curable, especially when diagnosed at an early stage. This is the reason why April has been set aside to educate the public and raise awareness of Bowel Cancer symptoms. Bowel Cancer UK has a fundraising campaign for this year called ‘Step Up to 30’
- IBS Awareness Month: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)is a relatively common disease that affects between 10 – 15% of the general population. It is a condition that effects the digestive system.
- Parkinson’s Awareness Month: this is an international campaign which takes place every year to spread greater understanding of what this neurological condition is and how it affects people who develop the disease. Within the month-long initiative, Parkinson’s Awareness Week is 11-17 April. The major focus for Parkinson’s UK is World Parkinson’s Day on April 11.
- Orchid Male Cancer Awareness Month: this is an international campaign supported by Orchid-Cancer.org to raise awareness of male specific cancers: prostate, testicular and penile cancer. There is no specific campaign for this month on the website, but they do have a fundraising challenge running throughout 2021: ‘Dare a Dad’
- World Autism Awareness Week, 29 March-April 04: People with autism are described as neurodivergent. Autism UK defines autism as ‘a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world’. This campaign aims to bring about a greater understanding of autism and to raise funds for research and support. World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated on 02 April.
- Bee Active, Bee Healthy, Bee Happy Week, 05-12 April: The Running Bee Foundation promotes the benefits of an active lifestyle, champions health and wellbeing initiatives and aims to help reduce childhood obesity. This week is dedicated to bee-ing active, healthy and happy in your community.
- World Health Day, 07 April: This international day is sponsored by the World Health Organisation. The message is simple: all people should have access to healthcare without the prospect of financial hardship.
- World Haemophilia Day, 17 April: World Haemophilia Day is an international campaign day aimed at raising awareness about haemophilia and other bleeding disorders. It has been running annually since 1989. Its theme for this year is ‘Adapting to Change: Sustaining Care in a New World’. It is supported in the UK by the Haemophilia Society.
- MS Awareness Week 19-25 April: MS, Multiple Sclerosis, as a neurological condition. In MS, the coating of nerves in the central nervous system is damaged and this gives rise to many symptoms for those who are affected by the disease. Follow the link to the MS Society’s website to learn more. The theme this year is to encourage discussion about the disease and thereby raise awareness and spread the word: #LetsTalkMS.
- The Big Pedal, 19-30 April: Sponsored by UK cycling charity Sustrans, the Big Pedal is the UK’s largest inter-school cycling and scooter-based challenge that aims to inspire and empower kids, teachers and parents to get on two wheels in order to make the daily trek to school. The Big Pedal runs for ten school days each year, and there are prizes galore in store for those who take part.
- World PI Week, 22-29 April: this is a global campaign which aims to raise awareness and improve diagnosis and treatment of primary immunodeficiencies (PI). Primary immunodeficiencies are rare diseases which occur when a person’s immune system is absent or does not function properly. When a defect in the immune system is inherited (carried through the genes), it is called primary immunodeficiency. The aim of this week is to raise awareness of these disorders.
- Scream Day 24 April: yes, this one sounds a bit whacky!! However, this day was set up to bring awareness to the benefits of screaming. Apparently, screaming on its own is proven to be very beneficial; you can scream in your pillow, in your car, in the woods, or wherever you feel most comfortable. Screaming can help let out pent up emotions. During these challenging times letting out a scream can be a healthy way to release your emotions. To find out more, follow the link!
- World Malaria Day, 25 April: occurs on this day every year. This year’s theme is ‘Zero Malaria – Draw the Line Against Malaria’. This disease remains a major killer of human beings across the world; 400 000 people die of malaria annually. All campaigns to try and control it are eminently important.
- World Immunization Week, 26 April-02 May: World Immunization Week – celebrated every year in the last week of April – aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. This year this health promotion week seems even more important than ever.
- National Gardening Week 26 April-02 May: there are so many health and wellbeing benefits associated with gardening. You are outdoors, physically active, being creative and in touch with nature. Find out more by following the link.
- National DNA Day, 26 April: celebrated in the UK, this day encourages everyone to learn more about genetics and genomics and explore DNA.
- World Day for Safety and Health at Work, 28 April: The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work. It is held on 28 April and has been observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003. The theme for this year is ‘Safety and Health and the Future of Work’.
- International Dance Day, 29 April: this day is promoted by UNESCO. Dancing is a great way to keep fit and active, even as one ages. However, you may be surprised to know that dancing is still frowned upon in many cultures.
- On Your Feet Britain, 29 April: ‘On Your Feet Britain’ encourages workers across Britain to unite together and participate in a variety of fun and simple activities to #SitLess and #MoveMore at work. The ‘On Your Feet Britain’ challenge dares you to convert ‘sitting time’ to ‘standing time’ by following some simple changes.