Every year Australia plays a part in supporting a diverse range of health events, which help increase awareness about specific diseases and medical conditions. Some of the more well-known causes include The March Charge, Red Nose Day and World AIDS Day.
If you want to get involved this year, or you just want to learn more about these events, simply use this comprehensive health events calendar to see what's planned for 2024.
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1-31 January | Veganuary | Find new, delicious and healthy foods by going vegan in January. By doing this, you'll have a hugely positive effect on the environment. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.veganuary.com |
| 28 January | World Leprosy Day | World Leprosy Day is recognised around the world each year on the last Sunday of January. The day helps to raise awareness about the disease and attempts to change attitudes that marginalise those affected by leprosy across the globe. |
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1-29 February | Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month | Around 1,550 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Australia each year, with more than two-thirds at an advanced stage. Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is all about helping people get tested earlier to prevent this as well as providing support to patients and families. www.ovariancancer.net.au |
| 1-29 February | FebFast | FebFast is all about giving people the skills and the know-how to break the habits that inhibit their wellbeing, such as alcohol and sugar addiction. www.febfast.org.au |
| 1-29 February | Red Feb - Heart Research Month | Heart Research Month raises awareness on the importance of life-saving heart research, including preventing, diagnosing and treating heart disease. "Day of Hearts" Day is celebrated on 14 February and encourages us all to take care of our hearts. www.heartresearch.com.au |
| 1-29 February | V-Day | V-Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.vday.org/ |
| 4 February | World Cancer Day | World Cancer Day is organised by the Union for International Cancer Control and helps educate people on different aspects of the disease through education and information. www.worldcancerday.org |
| 4-10 February | Feeding Tube Awareness Week | Feeding Tube Awareness Week promotes the positive benefits of feeding tubes by educating people on why these life-saving medical devices are so important. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.feedingtubeaware.com.au/ |
| 5-11 February | Tinnitus Awareness Week | Tinnitus Awareness Week (TAW) helps raise awareness of tinnitus and the huge effect it can have on people's day-to-day lives. Help raise awareness of the work being carried out and the essential support provided this year. www.tinnitusaustralia.org.au/ |
| 12-18 February | WA Sexual Health Awareness Week | The theme for WA Sexual Health Week always includes Safety, Pleasure and Respect. These three simple words underpin a holistic understanding of sexual health. www.waac.com.au/wa-sexual-health-week-2024/ |
| 14 February | Sweetheart Day | HeartKids Australia launched Sweetheart Day to raise awareness of childhood heart disease and to encourage donations to continue their work providing support and advocacy, growing awareness and enabling further research into children's heart disorders. www.sweetheartday.org.au/ |
| 14 February | National Condom Day | National Condom Day takes place, rather appropriately, on Valentine's Day to help promote the importance of sexual protection, sexual health and family planning. |
| 18 February | International Asperger's Day | International Asperger's Day highlights the importance of Asperger's syndrome for individuals and society more generally, looking at the positive changes that can be made and helping us gain a better understanding of the autism spectrum. |
| 28 February | Teal Ribbon Day | Teal Ribbon Day is held on the last Wednesday of February and invites Australians to buy and wear a teal ribbon in support of raising awareness for Ovarian Cancer Australia. You can get your Teal Ribbon directly from Ovarian Cancer Australia or from Chemmart Pharmacies, Spotlight and Brazilian Butterfly. www.ovariancancer.net.au/ |
| 29 February | Rare Diseases Day | Rare Disease Day is an annual event coordinated by EURORDIS and aimed at raising awareness on a national level about rare diseases. www.rarediseaseday.org/country/au/australia |
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1-31 March | The March Charge | The March Charge is a fun personal fitness challenge with an enormous impact. Just by walking or running for Cancer Council while raising funds you can help with cancer research and prevention. www.themarchcharge.com.au/about |
| 1-31 March | Endometriosis Awareness Month | Endometriosis Awareness takes place across the globe during the month of March (and beyond) with a mission to raise awareness of a disease which affects an estimated 176 million women worldwide. www.marchintoyellow.org.au/ |
| 1-31 March | National Epilepsy Awareness Month | You can wear purple in support of National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Throughout the month, there are lots of community activities, media campaigns and events going on to help spread awareness, including Purple Day on 26 March. www.epilepsyaustralia.net/ |
| 1-31 March | March into Yellow | The March into Yellow challenge raises the profile and awareness of endometriosis, a common and often debilitating disease that affects 1 in 10 Australian women. The event encourages people to wear yellow and raise money to support finding a cure and to support women suffering from the disease. www.marchintoyellow.org.au/ |
| 1-31 March | World's Greatest Shave | The World's greatest shave has raised in excess of $120 million since 1998, and uses the raised funds to support patients and families living with these blood disorders. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.worldsgreatestshave.com/ |
| 1-31 March | FND Australia Awareness Day | Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a neurological disorder affecting motor, movement and sensory functions of the body. It is the second most common reason for referral to neurology departments worldwide. Despite the prevalence of FND, awareness and understanding of the condition remains limited across the globe. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.fndaus.org.au/ |
| 1-31 March | Jump to Cure Diabetes | The Jump to Cure Diabetes is the ultimate challenge - and a great way to raise funds for type 1 diabetes research. A tandem skydive is the easiest way to experience the thrill of jumping out of a plane, while you make a big difference. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.jdrf.org.au/get-involved/ |
| 1-31 March | Bandaged Bear Appeal | The Bandaged Bear Appeal is The Children's Hospital at Westmead's largest annual fundraising appeal. Treating 100,000 patients every year, The Children's Hospital at Westmead relies on community generosity to raise essential funds. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.bandagedbear.org.au/ |
| 1-7 March | Hearing Awareness Week | This annual event helps bring hearing impairments to the attention of local communities. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.deafnessforum.org.au/hearing-awareness-week/ |
| 9 March | National Day of Women Living with HIV | The National Network of Women Living with HIV Day was started in 2016 to help highlight and bring attention to women suffering from the disease. www.ntahc.org.au/national-day-of-women-living-with-hiv |
| 10-16 March | World Glaucoma Week | World Glaucoma Week builds awareness of the leading cause of irreversible blindness. The week raises funds to advance research on glaucoma. www.worldglaucomaweek.org/ |
| 13-20 March | Coeliac Awareness Week | This annual event raises awareness of how to spot the symptoms of coeliac disease. It also provides insight into diagnosis, prevention and treatment. www.coeliac.org.au |
| 14 March | World Kidney Day | This global awareness campaign focuses its attention on raising awareness for chronic kidney disease, helping people learn more about how to prevent and treat the disease. www.worldkidneyday.org/ |
| 17-24 March | Multiple Birth Awareness Week | Multiple Birth Awareness Week celebrates families raising twins, triplets and beyond. It also looks at the challenges that come with raising young children. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.amba.org.au/mbaw |
| 18-24 March | Neurodiversity Celebration Week | Neurodiversity Celebration Week aims to change negative perceptions about autism and learning differences. It aims to flip the narrative from focusing on the challenges neurodiverse students face to focusing on their talents and strengths. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.neurodiversity-celebration-week.com/ |
| 18-24 March | National Advance Care Planning Week | Advance care planning is invaluable because it ensures your voice is heard if medical decisions have to be made for you. Get the conversation started in your community during National Advance Care Planning Week by hosting a local event. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.advancecareplanning.org.au/advance-care-planning-week |
| 21 March | World Down Syndrome Day | Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement and has always been a part of the human condition. World Down Syndrome Day helps raise awareness of how important access to health care, intervention programs and inclusive education is to the wellbeing of someone with Down syndrome. www.un.org/en/observances/down-syndrome-day |
| 24 March | World Tuberculosis Day | World Tuberculosis Day is about educating and making people aware of how common tuberculosis is and how it is responsible for the deaths of several million people every year. The day also raises funds to help eliminate tuberculosis as a public health issue in developing countries. www.stoptb.org/events/world_tb_day/ |
| 26 March | 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. www.epilepsyaustralia.net/ |
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1-30 April | Adenomyosis Awareness Month | Adenomyosis Awareness Month aims to educate and spread the word about adenomyosis by encouraging others to speak up about their experiences. www.qendo.org.au/ |
| 1-30 April | IBS Awareness Month | 1 in 7 people suffering IBS type symptoms - 15 times more people require a diet low in FODMAPs than a gluten free diet. There is currently no cure, only multiple IBS management strategies including the low FODMAP diet, Dietitian support, health care team, probiotics and prebiotics, gut hypnotherapy etc. www.fodmapfriendly.com/ |
| 2 April | Go Blue for Autism | World Autism Awareness Day promotes autism awareness by encouraging everyone to don blue. www.autismspeaks.org/world-autism-awareness-day |
| 7 April | World Health Day | This event marks the establishment of the World Health Organisation. Each year, World Health Day rallies behind a specific health issue in order to raise awareness of the health issue. www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day |
| 11 April | World Parkinson's Day | World Parkinson's Day raises funds and awareness to help look for a cure. Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive neurological condition that has a serious impact on an ageing population, with 25 Australians diagnosed every day. Around 80,000 Australians currently live with the condition. www.parkinsons.org.au/ |
| 17 April | World Haemophilia Day | World Haemophilia day raises awareness of the inherited bleeding disorder. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.haemophilia.org.au/ |
| 24-30 April | World Immunization Week | Run by the World Health Organisation, this event promotes the life-saving benefits of vaccinations for people around the world and of all ages. www.who.int/campaigns/world-immunization-week |
| 25 April | World Malaria Day | Another World Health Organisation-backed campaign that aims for a 90% reduction in malaria by 2030. www.worldmalariaday.org/ |
| 28 April | World Day for Safety and Health at Work | Sponsored by the International Labour Organisation, this event aims to improve awareness of work-related safety, accidents and diseases worldwide. www.un.org/en/observances/work-safety-day |
| 29 April - 5 May | Heart Week | Each year the Heart Foundation uses Heart Week as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the problem of heart disease and to help improve the heart health of all Australians. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.heartfoundation.org.au |
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1-31 May | The Bloody Long Walk (Melbourne) | The Bloody Long Walk is a walking challenge held around Australia that raises money to find a cure for mitochondrial disease (mito). The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.bloodylongwalk.com.au |
| 1-31 May | Kidney Health Week | 1 in 3 Australians have an increased risk of kidney disease. Kidney Health Week is a national campaign run at a grassroots level that raises awareness of the importance of our kidneys while shining a light on the prevention and early detection of kidney disease. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.whathealth.com/awareness/event/kidneyhealthweek.html |
| 1-31 May | White Shirt Day | Ovarian cancer is an insidious disease, often known as a "silent-killer" as symptoms are vague and often strike without warning. By wearing a white shirt or t-shirt on this day you will be showing your support for women and their families impacted by ovarian cancer along with the OCRF's vital research. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.ocrf.com.au/campaign/31/white-shirt-campaign-2023 |
| 1-31 May | IAIM One-in-Five Challenge | 1 in 5 Australian two-year olds have already developed identifiable indicators of mental health difficulties. The IAIM invite you to participate in the One-in-Five Challenge to help reduce this number, and to give all babies and children a better shot at life-long mental health. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.oneinfive.com.au/ |
| 1-31 May | Macula Month | Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia. Macula Month is an annual event designed to raise awareness of the disease and to encourage those most at risk, people over 50, to have their eyes tested and macula checked. www.mdfoundation.com.au/events/general-events/macula-month/ |
| 1-31 May | Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month | Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month aims to provide information to people and healthcare professionals, so they can learn and understand more about what exactly neurofibromatosis (NF) is. www.ctf.org.au/campaign/6/outoftheshadows |
| 1-31 May | Miracle Month of May | This raises awareness and funds for premature and sick newborn babies as well as their families and the hospitals that take care of them. www.miraclebabies.org.au/ |
| 1-31 May | Ehlers-Danlos Awareness Month | The Ehlers-Danlos Awareness Month helps raise awareness for the 13 multi-systemic, heritable disorders that affect connective tissue, the most abundant tissue in the body. Severe ailments include Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which involves fragile blood vessels and can cause internal organs to spontaneously rupture. www.ehlers-danlos.com |
| 1-31 May | Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month | Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month raises awareness for inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), which more than 5 million people live with. www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au |
| 6 May | International No Diet Day | International No Diet Day (INDD) celebrates body acceptance and diversity. It encourages us all to have a healthy relationship with food and exercise, as well as our body, no matter what our size or shape. www.eatingdisorders.org.au |
| 7 May | World Asthma Day | World Asthma Day (WAD) takes place each year on the first Tuesday in May. Initiated by the Global Initiative for Asthma in 1998, the National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) embraces WAD and marks the occasion to highlight the need for ongoing care and vigilance in managing asthma. www.nationalasthma.org.au |
| 8 May | International Thalassaemia Day | Patients with thalassaemia can suffer from anaemia and many other complications as a result of inadequate red blood cells. International Thalassaemia Day is celebrated every year to commemorate patients and raise awareness of the condition to improve patient care and research. www.tasca.org.au |
| 8 May | National Amyloidosis Day | National Amyloidosis Day intends to raise funds and awareness for Amyloidosis. Amyloidosis is a group of diseases in which abnormal protein, known as amyloid fibrils, builds up in tissue. |
| 8 May | World Red Cross Day | This day takes place on the day Red Cross founder Henry Dunant was born, and it celebrates the incredible work done by Red Cross staff and volunteers. www.redcross.org.au |
| 10 May | World Lupus Day | World Lupus Day raises awareness about this autoimmune disease and looks at the way in which it may cause abnormalities in vital organs like the kidneys, lungs and brain. www.worldlupusday.org |
| 12 May | International ME/CFS Awareness Day | International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) helps raise awareness about a number of diseases including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), Gulf War syndrome (GWS) and multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). The date was chosen as the official day as it's the birthday of Florence Nightingale who was believed to have suffered from ME/CFS. Around 12 May each year, buildings and landmarks around Australia light up in blue to raise awareness about ME/CFS. |
| 15 May | Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Global Awareness Day | Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Global Awareness Day raises awareness for a rare disease that affects more than 2,000 people in Australia. www.tsa.org.au |
| 19 May | World IBD Day | World IBD Day is organised by patient organisations and fights for those suffering from inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn's disease. www.crohnsandcolitis.org.au/ |
| 19-25 May | National Palliative Care Week | Organised by Palliative Care Australia and supported by the Department of Health, this week of events draws attention to how important palliative care is for people affected by chronic diseases. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.palliativecare.org.au/ |
| 20-26 May | World Salt Awareness Week | Many know that eating too much salt is bad for their health. However, when eating out out of the home it can be difficult to know where to start. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.worldactiononsalt.com/ |
| 20-26 May | Exercise Right Week | This event aims to motivate more Australians to get fit by teaching them about the benefits of exercise and how they can create their own regimes and exercise plans. www.exerciseright.com.au/exercise-right-week-campaign |
| 24 May | Don't Fry Day | Australia's Skin Cancer Prevention Day! www.skincancerprevention.org/ |
| 25 May | Tracky Dack Day | For one day a year, tracky dacks become the fashion choice that says "I care.", you can wear tracksuit pants, "trackies", to help raise funds for sick kids. www.trackydackday.com |
| 25 May | World Thyroid Day | World Thyroid Day campaigns for those suffering from this disease and recognises the medical professionals worldwide who are fighting it. www.thyroidfoundation.org.au |
| 25-31 May | Spinal Health Week | Spinal Health Week raises awareness of the importance of spinal health, which can have a huge impact on improving our overall health and wellbeing. www.chiro.org.au/ |
| 26 May - 1 June | Food Allergy Week | Food Allergy Week is run by the charitable, not-for-profit organisation Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia. It's annual initiative that aims to better educate the public on the importance of understanding food allergy and supporting those when it comes to allergy management. www.allergyfacts.org.au/faw |
| 27 May | Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Day | Prader-Willi syndrome is a lifelong condition and although lots of research is being carried out, to date there is no cure. On the last Friday of May, we aim to raise awareness of Prader-Willi Syndrome to help boost the possibility of finding a cure. www.pwsavic.org.au/news/the-history-of-prader-willi-syndrome-awareness-month/ |
| 29 May | Wear White at Work | On 29 May 'Wear white at work' and donate a gold coin to show your support for mental illness sufferers and families of suicide victims. The White Wreath Association provides 24-hour support for anyone who is in needof assistance and support. www.whitewreath.com/coming-events |
| 30 May | World MS Day | World MS Day focuses on improving the quality of life for those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and helps teach people more about the disease. www.worldmsday.org |
| 31 May | World No Tobacco Day | This is an annual event aiming to show the harm the tobacco industry poses to the sustainable development of nations. www.who.int/tobacco/wntd/en |
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1-30 June | Migraine Awareness Month | Migraine Awareness Month is an International Event held every year in June and is organised in Australia by Migraine Australia, a national patient advocacy organisation founded to support all Australians living with migraine and their families. www.migraine.org.au |
| 1-30 June | Bowel Cancer Awareness Month | Bowel cancer is a common diagnosis in Australia. It is potentially one of the most preventable cancers through the early detection of abnormalities from screening. www.bowelcancerawarenessmonth.org |
| 1-30 June | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Awareness Month | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that infects people of all ages and is the leading preventable viral cause of developmental disabilities. CMV Month raises awareness of CMV in an attempt to improve lives and teach people about the virus. www.cmv.org.au |
| 1-30 June | Orthoptic Awareness Week | Orthoptic Awareness Week is held each year by the Orthoptic Association of Australia and helps promote the importance of taking care of your eyes with regular eye examinations. The exact dates for 2023 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.orthoptics.org.au/media-advocacy/orthoptics-awareness-week-oaw |
| 1-30 June | Infant Mental Health Awareness Week | Infant Mental Health Awareness Week encourages government, industry and consumers to look at the needs of babies and toddlers and to invest in the essential services that support children in their earliest years. The exact dates for 2023 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.waimh.org |
| 1-30 June | The Bloody Long Walk (Sunshine Coast) | The Bloody Long Walk is a walking challenge held around Australia that raises money to find a cure for mitochondrial disease (mito). The exact dates for 2023 are to be confirmed. www.bloodylongwalk.com.au |
| 1-30 June | The Bloody Long Walk (Brisbane) | The Bloody Long Walk is a walking challenge held around Australia that raises money to find a cure for mitochondrial disease (mito). The exact dates for 2023 are to be confirmed. www.bloodylongwalk.com.au |
| 1-30 June | The Bloody Long Walk (Wollongong) | The Bloody Long Walk is a walking challenge held around Australia that raises money to find a cure for mitochondrial disease (mito). The exact dates for 2023 are to be confirmed. www.bloodylongwalk.com.au |
| 1-7 June | Haemochromatosis Awareness Week | Haemochromatosis Awareness Week raises awareness of haemochromatosis, or inherited iron overload disorder, by teaching communities more about the condition. www.haemochromatosis.org.au |
| 2-8 June | Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week | Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week teaches us more about what Tourette syndrome is and tackles stigmas created by false information about the disorder. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.tourette.org.au |
| 5-11 June | World Allergy Week | World Allergy Week raises awareness of the impact of allergies with a campaign that supports and funds research into allergies. You can participate by wearing a spot of red in your home, school or workplace. www.allergyimmunology.org.au/support-aifa/worldallergyweek |
| 7-13 June | Heart Rhythm Week | Arrhythmias are responsible for between 23,000 and 33,000 sudden cardiac arrest deaths each year. Many of these deaths could be avoided with greater public awareness of their risks and symptoms, which is where Heart Rhythm week looks to make a difference. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/au |
| 10-16 June | International Men's Health Week | International Men's Health Week promotes awareness of the importance of good health in men, boys and their families. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.menshealthweek.org.au |
| 14 June | World Blood Donor Day | World Blood Donor Day aims to remind us all about the importance of blood donations and how much more blood is required to help all those who need it. www.who.int/campaigns/world-blood-donor-day |
| 19 June | World Sickle Cell Day | Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder where abnormal haemoglobin is produced. World Sickle Cell Day was established to raise awareness of the disease to improve treatment and help find a cure. www.tasca.org.au |
| 19 June | Red Apple Day | By purchasing the red apple pin, Australians can help awareness for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. www.redappleday.org |
| 21 June | International Day of Yoga | The word "yoga" comes from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite. International Day of Yoga promotes the importance of the union between the body and consciousness to help us all lead a healthier life. www.un.org/en/observances/yoga-day |
| 21 June | MND Global Day | MND Global Day raises awareness of Motor Neurone Disease (MND), which is a progressive neurological disease. |
| 27 June | PTSD Awareness Day | This international day raises awareness about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to ensure more people know about the condition and more people who suffer PTSD will seek treatment. PTSD is the most common mental health disorder after depression. In Australia the day is recognised by the Department of Health. www.phoenixaustralia.org |
| 29 June | World Scleroderma Day | Scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disease. World Scleroderma Day highlights the brave people living with this disease to demand equal treatment and care for people with scleroderma. www.sclerodermaaustralia.com.au |
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1-31 July | Dry July | Dry July is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at improving the lives of adults living with cancer. Giving up alcohol for the month of July is a good way to raise awareness of individual drinking habits and the importance of a healthy, balanced diet and lifestyle. www.au.dryjuly.com |
| 1-31 July | National Diabetes Week | 1.1 million Australians live with diabetes. National Diabetes Week is a fundraising event that helps to raise awareness and work towards prevention. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/national-diabetes-week/ |
| 1-31 July | The Bloody Long Walk (Sydney North) | The Bloody Long Walk is a walking challenge held around Australia that raises money to find a cure for mitochondrial disease (mito). The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.bloodylongwalk.com.au |
| 1-31 July | National Pain Week | National Pain Week aims to contribute to the de-stigmatisation of the experience of chronic pain. Visit the organisation's website for details. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.chronicpainaustralia.org.au/ |
| 28 July - 4 August | DonateLife Week | This week-long event aims to promote the critical importance of organ and tissue donation. www.donatelife.gov.au |
| 28 July | World Hepatitis Day | With lots of local events, World Hepatitis Day aims to raise awareness of hepatitis in Australia and worldwide. www.worldhepatitisalliance.org |
| 29 July | Crazy Hair Day | Crazy Hair Day is a day where you go crazy with your hair. This annual fundraising event is organised by Cystic Fibrosis Victoria (CFV) and is a fun way to engage schools, raise awareness and celebrate the start of the new term. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.crazyhair.com.au |
| 30 July | Gastroschisis Awareness Day | Gastroschisis is a birth defect that causes the intestines to protrude from a hole in the abdomen. There is still a 10% mortality rate due to complications or related defects and infections. The condition affects 1 out of every 2,229 babies according to the CDC. Gastroschisis Awareness Day aims to raise awareness of the issue and find solutions. www.averysangels.org |
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1-31 August | National EOS Awareness Week | National EOS Awareness Week is a full week that helps raise awareness for eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders in Australia. Visit the organisation's website for details. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.eosaware.com |
| 1-31 August | MS Readathon – One month challenge | The MS Readathon is a reading-based fundraiser run by Multiple Sclerosis Australia (MSA). It encourages people of all ages to read and improve their literacy while raising community awareness of those living with MS. www.msreadathon.org.au |
| 1-31 August | OCD and Anxiety Disorders Week | Anxiety Disorders Week is an awareness week dedicated to OCD and anxiety disorder sufferers. Visit the organisation's website for details. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.arcvic.org.au |
| 1-31 August | National Stroke Week | Strokes are Australia's second single greatest killer, with over 60,000 strokes occurring each year. National Stroke Week encourages the community to get involved, raise money and support the national campaign. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.strokefoundation.org.au/what-we-do/prevention-programs/national-stroke-week |
| 1-7 August | World Breastfeeding Week | An annual event every first week in August, aiming to highlight the benefits that breastfeeding can bring. www.breastfeeding.asn.au/world-breastfeeding-week |
| 3-10 August | Kidney Kar Rally | The Kidney Kar Rally is Kidney Health Australia's longest-running event. Programs are designed to give children with kidney disease the opportunity to socialise and make long-term friends. www.kidney.org.au/get-involved/kidney-kar-rally |
| 4 August | Jeans for Genes Day | Jeans for Genes Day is a huge fundraising event for the Children's Medical Research Institute. The day aims to work towards reducing the number of children born with genetic illnesses. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.cmrijeansforgenes.org.au/get-involved/jeans-for-genes |
| 7-13 August | Dental Health Week | Everyone is encouraged to visit their dentist or find a new one during this yearly event. www.ada.org.au/ |
| 8 August | Dying to Know Day | Dying To Know Day is an annual day dedicated to creating conversations about death, dying and bereavement. www.thegroundswellproject.com/dyingtoknowday |
| 9 August | Red Nose Day | Red Nose Day is the major fundraiser for Red Nose. The funds raised go towards saving the lives of babies and children during pregnancy, birth, infancy and childhood. www.rednose.org.au/event/red-nose-day |
| 20 August | World Mosquito Day | World Mosquito Day commemorates British doctor Sir Ronald Ross's 1897 discovery of the link between female mosquitoes and malaria. www.malarianomore.org.uk/world-mosquito-day |
| 21-26 August | Speech Pathology Week | Speech Pathology Week raises awareness about swallowing disorders as well as the work of speech pathologists. www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au |
| 21-27 August | Healthy Bones Action Week | Australians will come together to raise awareness about the importance of healthy bones. The event will run over 6 days. www.dairy.edu.au/healthy-bones |
| 31 August | Daffodil Day | Daffodil Day is a well-known fundraising event in Cancer Council's calendar and helps support all Australians affected by cancer. www.daffodilday.com.au |
| 31 August | International Overdose Awareness Day | The day commemorates those lost to overdoses and the families affected. It also raises awareness about overdosing and looks at what preventative measures can be taken. www.overdoseday.com |
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1-30 September | Footy Colours Day | Footy Colours Day occurs in September and encourages Australians to wear their favourite football team's colours to help raise money for children living with cancer. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.fightcancer.org.au/footy-colours-day |
| 1-30 September | Childhood Cancer Awareness Month | Events run throughout September globally, aiming to highlight the brave children living with cancer and the community that supports them. |
| 1-30 September | Dementia Awareness Month | Dementia Awareness Month runs from 1 September to 30 September every year and is organised each year by Alzheimer's Australia. www.dementia.org.au/ |
| 1-30 September | Big Heart Appeal | The Big Heart Appeal helps raise money for the Heart Foundation, which works to save lives and improve health by funding cardiovascular research, informing the public and assisting people with cardiovascular disease. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.heartfoundation.org.au |
| 1-30 September | Prostate Cancer Awareness Month | Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is held throughout September and encourages men to get regular prostate checks. www.prostate.org.au |
| 1-30 September | Blue September | Blue September is a nationwide awareness and fundraising initiative that raises awareness of all the cancers that affect men, including prostate, testicular, bowel, lung, liver, pancreatic and other cancers. It also encourages men to make better lifestyle choices and seek help sooner rather than later. |
| 1-30 September | Dystonia Awareness Month | Dystonia is a neurological movement condition which causes uncontrollable movements, twisting and muscle spasms as well as pain. Dystonia Awareness Month raises awareness about the disease and what can be done to help sufferers. www.dystonia.org.au |
| 1-30 September | Liptember | Liptember raises funds and promotes awareness of women's mental health for the whole of September. All funds raised are given to the Centre for Women's Health and Lifeline. www.liptember.com.au |
| 1-30 September | Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month | Every year in Australia more than 6,500 women will be diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer and around 2,000 will die. www.womencan.org.au/event/save-the-box/home |
| 1-30 September | The Bloody Long Walk (New Castle) | The Bloody Long Walk is a walking challenge held around Australia that raises money to find a cure for mitochondrial disease (mito). The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.bloodylongwalk.com.au |
| 1-7 September | National Asthma Week | Throughout the week, lots of activities are organised to increase awareness of asthma to communities and help people manage asthma. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.asthma.org.au |
| 1 September | Gold Bow Day | The ATF Gold Bow Day aims to teach people about thyroid cancer and gives support to those affected by thyroid cancer undergoing radioactive iodine treatment. www.thyroidfoundation.org.au/Gold-Bow-Day |
| 2-8 September | National Wound Awareness Week | Wound Awareness Week is your opportunity to support the 450,000+ Australians living with a hard-to-heal wound. Visit the organisation's website for details. https://woundsaustralia.org/ocd.aspx |
| 2-8 September | Idiopathic Hypersomnia Awareness Week | Idiopathic Hypersomnia Awareness Week raises awareness and aims to teach the public more about idiopathic hypersomnia. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.hypersomnolenceaustralia.org.au/ihawarenessweek |
| 2-6 September | Women's Health Week | Founded in honour of Dr Jean Hailes, Women's Health Week is a week of events aimed at encouraging women to prioritise their health. www.womenshealthweek.com.au |
| 3-9 September | Spinal Injury Awareness Week | Spinal Injury Awareness Week raises awareness about those living with spinal cord injuries. Visit the organisation's website for details. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.spinal.com.au/good-business |
| 4 September | PKD Awareness Day | PKD Awareness Day raises awareness for polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which is the most common life-threatening genetic disorder of the kidneys. It affects around 1 in 1,000 people and around 25,000 Australians. www.pkdaustralia.org/pkd-awareness-day |
| 6 September | National Health and Physical Education Day | National Health and Physical Education (HPE) Day raises awareness of health and physical education in school. It's a great opportunity to get classes outside and doing some exercise. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.achper.org.au/ACHPERNational/ACHPERNational/HPE-Day/National-HPE-Day.aspx |
| 7 September | World Duchenne Awareness Day | Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe muscle-wasting condition that affects 1 in every 3,500 boys. The day helps raise awareness for those with the condition as well as families affected. www.worldduchenneday.org/ |
| 9 September | International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day (FASDAY) | On the ninth day of the ninth month every year, people from all over the world gather for events to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol use during pregnancy. www.fasday.com |
| 12 September | R U OK Day | The yearly event encourages Australians to ask "Are you ok?" to help address mental health issues both inside and outside of work. www.ruok.org.au |
| 16 September | Lyme Gladiolus Day | The Karl McManus Foundation holds Lyme Gladiolus Day to raise awareness of Lyme disease in Australia. The day raises funds to go towards research into Lyme disease in Australia and helps raise public awareness of the disease. www.karlmcmanus.org.au |
| 18-24 September | National Week of Deaf People (NWDP) | Deaf Australia organises events through a week-long period in September, which focuses on celebrating the deaf community in Australia. The exact dates for 2023 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.deafaustralia.org.au/nwdp |
| 21 September | World Alzheimer's Day | World Alzheimer's Day brings together the efforts of all the Alzheimer's organisations to raise awareness about Alzheimer's and dementia. www.dementia.org.au |
| 26 September | Mesothelioma Awareness Day | Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart. The day raises awareness about the condition and makes positive steps towards prevention and care. www.mesothelioma.com |
| 29 September | World Heart Day | Cardiovascular diseases are the world's biggest killers. World Heart Day encourages us all to take care of our hearts. www.world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day |
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1-31 October | Breast Cancer Awareness Month | Australia's Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides people with the chance to focus on breast cancer and its impact. Share stories, speak to family members and get important information out to family, friends and colleagues. |
| 1-31 October | Great Cycle Challenge Australia | Great Cycle Challenge encourages people of all ages and fitness levels to get on their bikes and ride to fight kids cancer. www.greatcyclechallenge.com.au |
| 1-31 October | Lupus Awareness Month | Lupus Awareness Month highlights the need for more awareness and financial support for lupus, which is a potentially fatal disease affecting nearly 6 million people across the world. www.lupus.org/lupus-awareness-month |
| 1-31 October | Ocsober | Ocsober is a fundraising initiative that encourages people to give up alcohol for the whole of October. |
| 1-31 October | Dyslexia Awareness Month | Dyslexia Awareness Month raises awareness and helps teach people more about dyslexia with events like Light it Red for Dyslexia. www.codereadnetwork.org |
| 1-31 October | Spina Bifida Awareness Month | Spina Bifida Awareness Month aims to promote awareness of the disease that affects around 5,000 Australians. |
| 1-31 October | Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month | Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about inherited bleeding disorders such as haemophilia and von Willebrand disease. www.haemophilia.org.au |
| 1-31 October | Mental Health Month NSW | Mental Health Month NSW is part of a national mental health promotion campaign held throughout October each year. www.mentalhealthmonth.wayahead.org.au |
| 1-31 October | Pink Ribbon Breakfast Campaign | October is international breast cancer awareness month and NBCF's biggest fundraiser is the Pink Ribbon Breakfast Campaign. www.fundraise.nbcf.org.au/event/pink-ribbon-breakfast?utm_source=prb.org.au&utm_medium=redirection |
| 1-31 October | Girls' Night In | Cancer Council's Girls' Night In is the ideal reason to get your girlfriends together to celebrate friendships that matter for a cause that matters. www.cancercouncilfundraising.com.au/girls-night-in |
| 1-31 October | Kidney Health Red Socks Run | Dress in red attire or fancy dress and walk (or run) to support Australians affected by kidney disease. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.fundraise.kidney.org.au/event/red-socks-run |
| 1-31 October | Wellness Walk & Festival | The Wellness Walk is a yearly event taking in the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with the finishing line at Government House to enjoy the celebratory Wellness Festival! It's a family friendly walk with an easy route suitable for all ages & abilities. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.wellnesswalk.org.au |
| 1-31 October | The Bloody Long Walk (Mornington Peninsula) | The Bloody Long Walk is a walking challenge held around Australia that raises money to find a cure for mitochondrial disease (mito). The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.bloodylongwalk.com.au |
| 1-31 October | Mental Health Week | Mental Health Week is an annual national awareness event held in October every year. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and wellbeing in the wider community, to increase community awareness and education about mental health issues and to encourage participation in life-enhancing lifestyles. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. |
| 1-31 October | Odd Socks Day | Odd Socks Day is a light-hearted way to remind people that we can all have an odd day. The day attempts to tackle the stigma around mental illness. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.grow.org.au/oddsocksday |
| 1-31 October | The Bloody Long Walk (Adelaide) | The Bloody Long Walk is a walking challenge held around Australia that raises money to find a cure for mitochondrial disease (mito). The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.bloodylongwalk.com.au |
| 1-31 October | National Nutrition Week | National Nutrition Week encourages Australians to make healthy food and lifestyle choices. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.nutritionaustralia.org/projects-campaigns/national-nutrition-week |
| 1-31 October | Undiagnosed Children's Awareness Day | Approximately 1 in 20 children are born with a genetic disorder, though diagnosis is often rare. Of the children who present to geneticists with syndromic features, 60% may not ever receive a diagnosis. Undiagnosed Children's Awareness Day works to change this. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.swanaus.org.au/ |
| 1-31 October | Queensland Mental Health Week | Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW) is an annual event that aims to shine a spotlight on what all of us can do to look after our mental health and reach out to those who need support. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.qldmentalhealthweek.org.au |
| 1-7 October | Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Week | Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex mental illness characterised by unstable and varying emotions, that can lead to volatile relationships and self-harm which can include suicide or suicidal ideation. Our aim is to raise awareness that BPD is a treatable illness with appropriate therapies and supports. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.bpdfoundation.org.au/bpd-awareness-week.php |
| 1 October | World Vegetarian Day | World Vegetarian Day, 1 October, kicks off Vegetarian Awareness Month, helping make a difference by teaching others about the positives of vegetarianism. www.worldvegetarianday.navs-online.org/ |
| 4-11 October | National Amputee Awareness Week | The week raises awareness of amputees and people living with congenital limb differences throughout Australia. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.limbs4life.org.au |
| 6 October | World Cerebral Palsy Day | World CP Day is a global innovation project to change the world for people living with cerebral palsy and their families. It is designed to gather ideas from people around the world and make the best of those ideas a reality. www.worldcpday.org |
| 8 October | Headspace Day | #headspaceday is about ensuring young people have access to mental health services no matter where they live in Australia. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.headspace.org.au |
| 10 October | World Mental Health Day | World Mental Health Day raises public awareness of mental health issues and promotes greater understanding of its effect on individuals and the wider community. www.lookafteryourmentalhealthaustralia.org.au/ |
| 12 October | World Sight Day | World Sight Day raises public awareness on blindness and low vision, providing an opportunity to educate people more about the causes of blindness and preventative measures. |
| 12 October | World Arthritis Day | World Arthritis Day brings arthritis sufferers together and gives them a voice to be heard. www.www.eular.org/world-arthritis-day-general-information |
| 13 October | Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day | The day sees women living with metastatic breast cancer supporting other women living with the disease. We are keen to make sure these women have a voice nationally. www.breastcancer.org.au/ |
| 13-19 October | National Carers Week | National Carers Week is a time for all Australians to recognise and celebrate the important contributions that unpaid carers make to our communities. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness among our communities about carers and their caring roles. www.carersnsw.org.au/training-events/national-carers-week |
| 14 October | Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Awareness Day | Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Awareness Day promotes greater awareness for DLD, which affects how a person thinks about, understands and uses language. A person with DLD is at high risk of incarceration and suicide. This important day looks at educating the public more about the condition. www.salda.org.au |
| 15 October | Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day | International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day occurs every October. Parents and families across Australia have the opportunity to honour their babies who passed away from stillbirth, miscarriage or postnatal causes. |
| 20 October | World Osteoporosis Day | World Osteoporosis Day takes place every year on 20 October and involves lots of campaigns by national osteoporosis patient societies from around the world. www.healthybonesaustralia.org.au |
| 24 October | World Polio Day | World Polio Day highlights the importance of the global eradication of polio. |
| 27 October | Herbal Medicine Week | Herbal Medicine Week is a week celebrating the healthy use of herbal medicines. This annual event is held by the National Herbalists Association of Australia. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.nhaa.org.au/events/herbal-medicine-week |
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1-30 November | Movember | Movember raises awareness of men's health issues and is a fun way to raise money for a good cause. www.au.movember.com/ |
| 1-30 November | Lung Cancer Awareness Month | Lung Cancer Awareness Month helps raise awareness about lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths in Australia. The month sees a range of community events and activities taking place to raise funds. www.lungfoundation.com.au |
| 1-30 November | CommuniTEA | November is epilepsy awareness month and this year we want you to celebrate with CommuniTEA! Register to host a morning or afternoon tea with family, friends or colleagues for delicious treats, laughter, fun, fundraising, and of course to generate awareness of epilepsy. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.epilepsy.org.au/fundraise/communi-tea |
| 1-30 November | National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week | Our National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week is used to raise funds and promote awareness and education around cervical cancer and the impact it has on Australian women and their families every year. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.accf.org.au/ |
| 1-30 November | The Bloody Long Walk (Sydney East) | The Bloody Long Walk is a walking challenge held around Australia that raises money to find a cure for mitochondrial disease (mito). The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.bloodylongwalk.com.au |
| 1-30 November | Alopecia Awareness Week | Alopecia Awareness Week raises both awareness and funds to provide wigs to children affected by alopecia. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.aaaf.org.au/alopecia-awareness-week/ |
| 1-30 November | The Bloody Long Walk (Canberra) | The Bloody Long Walk is a walking challenge held around Australia that raises money to find a cure for mitochondrial disease (mito). The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. www.bloodylongwalk.com.au |
| 1-30 November | Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week | Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week was established by PANDA in 2005. Since then, PANDA has been helping raise awareness about perinatal anxiety and depression, including what to look for and where you can seek support. The exact dates for 2024 are to be confirmed. Visit the organisation's website for details. www.panda.org.au/awareness/perinatal-mental-health-week |
| 1 November | International Drug Users Day | International Drug Users Day aims to raise awareness and increase action to address the needs of people who use drugs. www.nuaa.org.au |
| 12 November | World Pneumonia Day | World Pneumonia Day raises awareness of pneumonia as a public health issue and works to stop preventable child deaths from pneumonia. www.stoppneumonia.org |
| 14 November | World Diabetes Day | World Diabetes Day takes place in more than 160 countries, making it the world's largest diabetes awareness campaign. www.worlddiabetesday.org |
| 17 November | World Prematurity Day | This day raises awareness of babies born prematurely. www.facebook.com/WorldPrematurityDay |
| 18-24 November | Antibiotic Awareness Week | Antibiotic Awareness Week is an annual, global event that discusses the significance of antibiotic resistance. The week encourages people to use antibiotics responsibly and only when necessary. www.nps.org.au/antibiotic-awareness |
| 20 November | World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day | More commonly known as chronic bronchitis or emphysema, WCOPDD raises awareness of the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). www.goldcopd.org/world-copd-day |
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 December | World AIDS Day | World AIDS Day is a globally recognised event that takes place on 1 December. The day raises awareness about the issues and concerns surrounding HIV and AIDS. It's also a day for people to show their support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died. www.worldaidsday.org.au |
| 1-31 December | Decembeard | Decembeard Australia encourages men to grow a beard in December to raise awareness for bowel cancer. The disease affects 1 in 10 Aussie men making it Australia's second biggest cancer killer. www.bowelcanceraustralia.org |
| 3 December | International Day of People with Disabilities | The International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPwD) is celebrated every year in Australia on 3 December to acknowledge the incredible contribution people of all abilities make to the community. www.idpwd.com.au |
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