Events

January 2012:

All month: Alzheimer’s Awareness Month (Canada)

Facts about Alzheimer’s Disease:

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It is a brain illness, which causes thinking and memory to become seriously impaired.
More than 70,000 British Columbians are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, 14% of which are under the age of 65.
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for approximately 64% of all dementias in Canada.

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. has launched a 5-minute video to help raise public awareness about signs and symptoms of this heartbreaking disease. The video can be viewed on the

Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s YouTube channel. Please view and share these videos to help raise public awareness. Thank you!

National Non-Smoking Week 17-23 Jan (Canada)
World Leprosy Week 21-27 January, with World Leprosy Day on January 29th

February 2012:

Heart Month (Canada)

Heart Month was inspired by a fundraising initiative called “Heart Sunday.” The concept was adopted in British Columbia in the mid-1950s; in Ontario in 1958, and has since expanded across the country.

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, 3rd Feb – 9th Feb

Facts about eating disorders:

Eating disorders are conditions defined by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual’s physical and mental health.
Evidence suggests that women in the Western world are at the highest risk of developing eating disorders, and the degree of westernization increases the risk
In 1995, 95% of reported hospitalized cases of anorexia and more than 90% of hospitalized cases of bulimia in Ontario were women. According to a 2002 survey, 1.5% of Canadian women aged 15 – 24 years had an eating disorder

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day – 14th February (Worldwide)

Facts about Congenital Heart Defects:

A congenital heart defect (CHD) is a defect in the structure of the heart and great vessels which is present at birth. It is the most common birth defect in Canada, affecting 1 in 80-100 Canadian newborns.
According to the Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance 12 Canadians are born each day with a congenital heart defect, and there are an overall 180,000 Canadian adults and children with CHD.
There are 22 cardiologists in Canada who have specifically trained in the field of adult congenital heart defects.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week (Worldwide, at different times in February)

Facts about Muscular Dystrophy:

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a recessive form of muscular dystrophy, which results in muscle degeneration, difficulty walking, breathing, and death.
All muscular dystrophies are inherited and rare. For example, although Duchenne muscular dystrophy is one of the more common types, it occurs in only 1 out of every 50,000 people. The other types of muscular dystrophy are even rarer.
The incidence is around 1 in 3,600 boys. Both females and males are affected, though females are rarely affected and are more often carriers.

March 2012:

National Epilepsy Month (Canada)

Facts about epilepsy:

Epilepsy is a physical condition characterized by sudden, brief changes in how the brain works. It is a symptom of a neurological disorder that shows itself in the form of seizures. Epilepsy is a disorder, not a disease; it is not contagious.
Approximately 0.6% of the Canadian population has epilepsy. Each day in Canada, an average of 42 people learn that they have epilepsy.
Throughout history some famous individuals have had epilepsy, incl. Julius Caesar, Agatha Christie, Ludwig van Beethoven, Vincent Van Gogh and Alfred Nobel

Purple Day – The Global Day of Epilepsy Awareness – March 26th

Facts about Purple Day:

Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide.
On March 26th annually, people in countries around the world are invited to wear purple and host events in support of epilepsy awareness.
In 2011, people in dozens of countries on all continents except Antarctica participated in Purple Day. With your help, Purple Day 2012 will be even bigger!