During the year, there are many health awareness days and months to take note off. The Western Cape Department of Health has made a health calendar for this with corresponding organisations to contact.
JANUARY
4 – International Braille Day
SA National Council for the Blind – 012-452 3811
29 – World Leprosy Day
The Leprosy Mission – 021-785 2681/073 470 3185
FEBRUARY
8 to 14 – National Epilepsy Week (13 – International Epilepsy Day)
Epilepsy South Africa – 021-556 3753
MARCH
Intellectual Disability Awareness Month
Cape Mental Health – 021-447 0212
SA Federation for Mental Health – 011-781 1852
3 – World Hearing Day
21 – International Down Syndrome Day
Down Syndrome Association Western Cape – 021-919 8533
22 – National Rheumatoid Awareness Day
The Arthritis Foundation of SA – 021-425 4759
30 – World Bipolar Awareness Day
SA Federation for Mental Health – 011-781 1852
APRIL
Health Awareness Month
Heart and Stroke Foundation SA – 021-422 1586
2 – World Autism Day
7 – World Health Day
Heart and Stroke Foundation SA – 021-422 1586
11 – World Parkinson’s Day
Age-in-Action – 021-426 4249
MAY
2 – World Asthma Day
UCT Lung Institute – 021-406 6125
10 – National Lupus Awareness Day
The Arthritis Foundation of SA – 021-425 4759
26 – Bipolar Awareness Day
The S.A Depression and Anxiety Group – 011-234 4837
JUNE
3 – Club Foot Awareness Day
Steps Charity – 021-462 7357/021-462 7857
JULY
Psychosocial Disability Awareness Month
Cape Mental Health – 021-447 0212
SA Federation for Mental Health – 011-781 1852
Mental Health Awareness Month
The S.A Depression and Anxiety Group – 011-234 4837
27 – National Osteoarthritis Awareness Day
The Arthritis Foundation of SA – 021-425 2344/4759
AUGUST
21 – National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
The Arthritis Foundation of SA – 021-425 4759
21 to 27 – National Cerebral Palsy Week
National Association for Persons with Cerebral Palsy – 011-609 3252/082 349 9630
SEPTEMBER
Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month
Muscular Dystrophy Foundation – 021-592 7306/084 557 1423
National Month of Deaf People
Deaf Federation of South Africa (DEAFSA) – 011-482 1610
Dementia Awareness Month
Dementia SA – 086 0636 679
Alzheimer’s Month (21 – World Alzheimer’s Day)
Alzheimer’s South Africa – 021-979 2724/ www.alzheimers.org.za
9 – International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Day (FASD)
SANCA – 021-945 4080
OCTOBER
Mental Health Awareness Month (10 – World Mental Health Day)
Cape Mental Health – 021-447 0212
SA Federation for Mental Health – 011-781 1852
12 – World Sight Day
SA National Council for the Blind – 012-452 3811
12 – World Arthritis Day
The Arthritis Foundation of SA – 021-425 4759
Age-in-Action – 021-426 4249
15 – International White Cane Safety Day
SA National Council for the Blind – 012-452 3811
20 – National Down Syndrome Day
Down Syndrome Association Western Cape – 021-919 8533
20 – World Osteoporosis Day
National Osteoporosis Foundation of SA – 021-976 4995
24 – World Polio Day
25 – World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day
28 October to 3 November – Stroke Week (29 – World Stroke Day)
Heart and Stroke Foundation SA – 021-422 1586
NOVEMBER
Disability Month
Department of Social Development – 021-483 4015
DECEMBER
3 – International Day for Persons with Disabilities
WC Association for Persons with Disabilities – 021-555 2881
Find the full health calendar of 2017 here:
https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/health/health_calendar_2017.pdf
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