September

World Alzheimer’s Month and Alzheimer’s Action Day
In September 2013, the Alzheimer’s Association will observe the third annual World Alzheimer’s Month, with Alzheimer’s Action Day on September 21. Join the Alzheimer’s Association in proclaiming “The End of Alzheimer’s Starts with Me” by wearing purple on September 21. For more information, contact:

Alzheimer’s Association | phone: 800.272.3900 | www.alz.org


National Baby Safety Month  September is Baby Safety Month, sponsored annually by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). JPMA helps educate parents and caregivers on the importance of safely using juvenile products such as care seats, cribs, and other baby gear. For more information, contact:

JPMA | jpma@jpma.org | www.babysafetymonth.org


National Cholesterol Education Month   To know their cholesterol status, all adults should have their cholesterol measured, learn their cholesterol numbers and their risk for heart disease, and follow a heart-healthy lifestyle to lower their risk and keep it down. For more information, contact:

Health Information Center | National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute | phone: 301.592.8573 | nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov | www.nhlbi.nih.gov


National Craniofacial Acceptance Month  Craniofacial Acceptance Month seeks to widen the circle of acceptance for individuals with facial differences. The goal is to create awareness that “beyond the face is a heart.” For more information, contact:

Annie Reeves | Children’s Craniofacial Association | phone: 800.535.3643 | areeves@ccakids.com | www.ccakids.org


National Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month   During Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, formerly the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, promotes awareness about the risks, prevention, early detection, and optimal treatment of gynecologic cancers, including cervical cancer, endometrial or uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer. We urge women who suspect or have been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer to seek care first from a gynecologic oncologist. For more information contact:

Foundation for Women’s Cancer | phone: 312.578.1439 | info@foundationforwomenscancer.org | www.wcn.org


National Healthy Aging Month   Healthy Aging Month is an annual observance focusing national attention on the positive aspects of growing older. The main objective of the month is to encourage local Healthy Aging events that promote taking personal responsibility for one’s health—physically, socially, mentally, and financially. For more information, contact:

Information Specialist | Healthy Aging | phone: 610.793.0979 | info@healthyaging.net | www.healthyaging.net  The  National Caucus and Center on Black Aged is the only national organization that has as its primary mission to improve the quality of life for older African-Americans particularly those of low income. Their phone number is: 202.637.8400. NCBA @aol.com /www.ncba-aged.org


National Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma Awareness Month
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is a beacon of help and guidance to those touched by blood cancer, and each September, LLS observes Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma Awareness Month to shed light on these diseases and let the public know that there are resources available for blood cancer patients and their families. For more information, contact:

Information Resource Center | The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | phone: 800.955.4572 | infocenter@lls.org | www.lls.org


National Pain Awareness Month  Pain Awareness Month is a time when various organizations work to raise public awareness of issues in the area of pain and pain management. The first Pain Awareness Month was in 2001, when the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) led a coalition of groups to establish September as Pain Awareness Month. Partners for Understanding Pain is a consortium of organizations that includes health-condition-specific groups as well as those with broader mandates that touch the lives of people with chronic, acute, and cancer pain. For more information, contact:

Penney Cowan | American Chronic Pain Association | phone: 800.533.3231 | acpa@theacpa.org | www.theacpa.org


National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month  As the founders and coordinators of the Prostate Cancer Awareness Week program, the Prostate Conditions Education Council organizes hundreds of free or low-cost screening events worldwide. As a result of their efforts, nearly five million men have received early detection screenings for prostate cancer and other prostate conditions. Many screening sites offer screenings not only for PSA and DRE but other men’s health issues as well. For more information, contact:

Prostate Conditions Education Council | phone: 303.999.2574 | renee.savickas@prostateconditions.org | www.prostateconditions.org


National Prostate Health Month  Prostate Health Month seeks to increase public awareness of the importance of prostate health and encourage communities to provide easily accessible prostate health screenings. Educating about risk factors and symptoms of prostate-related diseases (enlarged prostate, cancer, and  prostatitis) as well as advocating for further research on prostate health issues are also encouraged. For more information, contact:

American Urological Association Foundation | phone:800.828.7866 | auafoundation@auafoundation.org | www.urologyhealth.org


National Reye’s Syndrome Awareness Month  This month promotes professional and public education and increased awareness of Reye’s syndrome, reminding parents and caregivers that kids and aspirin products don’t mix. The National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation funds research, promotes awareness, and provides education and services to patients with Reye’s syndrome and their loved ones. For more information, contact:

National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation | phone: 800.233.7393 | nrsf@reyessyndrome.org | www.reyessyndrome.org

National Sports Eye Safety Month  There are thousands of eye injuries a year related to sports. Check out tips on how to protect yourself and your children. For more information, contact:

Prevent Blindness America | phone: 800.331.2020 | info@preventblindness.org | www.preventblindness.org


National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month  Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month is sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association to educate the public about thyroid cancer, a cancer that has increased in incidence. The event focuses on the importance of early detection, treatment, lifelong monitoring, and the resources available for people with thyroid cancer and their families. For more information, contact: Publications Department | ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. | phone: 877.588.7904 | thyca@thyca.org | www.thyca.org


September 1   MDA Labor Day Telethon

The annual MDA Telethon is a worldwide, six-hour prime time TV / Internet entertainment spectacular broadcast from 6:00 pm to midnight in each time zone nationwide via tape delay. The telethon’s goals are to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) research programs and services, to heighten awareness and understanding of the more than 40 neuromuscular diseases MDA battles, and to celebrate its success toward their defeat. For more information, contact:

Public Relations | MDA | phone: 520.529.2000 | mda@mdausa.org | http://mda.org


September 8   National Grandparents Day
National Grandparents Day falls on the first Sunday after Labor Day every year. It was founded for the purpose of enhancing the bond of love between grandparents and grandchildren and heightening awareness of the needs of the elderly in nursing homes. The Forget-Me-Not program encourages classrooms to “adopt” residents of nursing homes and bring them entertainment on Grandparents Day. The motto of the holiday is “Make Every Day Grandparents Day!” For more information, contact:

DJ McQuade-Lancaster | National Grandparents Council | phone: 619.585.8259 | djm@grandparents-day.com | www.grandparents-day.com


September 8-14  National Assisted Living Week

National Assisted Living Week celebrates the crucial role assisted living residences play in helping our nation’s elders and individuals with disabilities enjoy a meaningful quality of life. The week is an opportunity for all involved with a residence—families, staff, volunteers, and the surrounding community—to celebrate residents’ lives through special events and activities centered on a theme. For more information, contact:

National Center for Assisted Living | phone: 202.898.2843 | sosborne@ncal.org | www.ncal.org


September 8-14  National Environmental Services and Housekeeping Week
National Environmental Services and Housekeeping Week is the time set aside annually to recognize environmental services teams as essential personnel in the execution of infection control cleaning protocols, patient safety goals, and customer satisfaction. Show support and appreciation for this department with exclusive gifts featuring the official Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) logo and theme. For more information, contact:

AHE | phone: 312.422.3860 | ahe@aha.org | www.ahe.org


September 8-14   Suicide Prevention Week  The American Association of Suicidology’s (AAS) Suicide Prevention Week coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, as designated by the World Health Organization. AAS provides information and sample documents to assist community organizations with planning and implementing Suicide Prevention and Awareness Events in their area. For more information, contact:

AAS | phone: 202.237.2280 | info@suicidology.org | www.suicidology.org


September 15-21   Child Passenger Safety Week   Every year, thousands of children are tragically injured or killed in automobile crashes. In fact, it is the leading cause of death for children ages one to thirteen. Child Passenger Safety Week focuses on keeping America’s children safer on the road. September 22 marks National Seat Check Saturday, a day when communities nationwide offer free child safety seat checks by certified child passenger safety technicians. For more information, contact:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | phone: 202.366.3587 | elizabeth.graziosi@dot.gov | www.nhtsa.gov


September 15-21   National Farm Safety and Health Week
Every sitting US president since Franklin D. Roosevelt has signed a proclamation recognizing the importance of keeping our nation’s production agricultural workers safe and healthy. Agriculture consistently ranks in the top three industries for work related injuries and death but employs about two percent of the nation’s workforce. The third full week in September is National Farm Safety and Health Week and focuses on protecting farm workers and their families. For more information, contact:

National Education Center for Agricultural Safety | phone: 563.557.0354 | halversc@nicc.edu | www.necasag.org


September 15-21   Hearing Aid Awareness Week   Insufficient consumer awareness of state-of-the-art hearing instrument technology and a general tendency to deny the presence of a hearing problem motivated the International Hearing Society (IHS) to dedicate an entire week to public education about the hearing help available to those in need. Hearing Aid Awareness week started in 1995 and is celebrated nationally. For more information, contact:

IHS | phone: 734.522.7200 | interact@ihsinfo.org | www.ihsinfo.org


September 15-21   National Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration
This celebration focuses the nation’s attention on the powers and possibilities of rehabilitation and salutes the determination of the nearly 50 million Americans with disabilities. It is a time to applaud the efforts of rehabilitation professionals, provide a forum for education, and call on our citizens to find new ways to fill needs that still exist. For more information, contact:

National Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration | phone: 800.943.6723 | www.nraf-rehabnet.org


September 21   National Seat Check Saturday   On Saturday, September 21, 2013, communities nationwide will offer free child safety seat checks. Stop by a local event to have a certified child passenger safety technician check your child’s safety seat to ensure its properly installed and provide tips on how to secure your child in the seat for optimal protection. For more information, contact:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | phone: 888.327.4236 | www.nhtsa.gov


September 25  National Women’s Health and Fitness Day   National Women’s Health and Fitness Day is the nation’s largest women’s health and wellness event, always held on the last Wednesday in September. More than 800 organizations will host local women’s health events—with more than 80,000 women of all ages attending these events across the nation on the same day. Organizations interested in participating must register in order to legally use the trademarked event name and logo. For more information, contact:

Gary Ford | Health Information Resource Center | phone: 800.828.8225 | gford@fitnessday.com | www.fitnessday.com


September 28   National Family Health and Fitness Day—USA
Family Health and Fitness Day is the nation’s largest family health promotion event. Now in its 17th year, the event is always held the last Saturday in September. Thousands of families will participate in local health and wellness events hosted by more than 600 organizations across the country on the same day. Organizations interested in participating must register in order to legally use the trademarked event name and logo. For more information, contact:

Gary Ford | Health Information Resource Center | phone: 800.828.8225 | gford@fitnessday.com | www.fitnessday.com