October: The Month of Giving

As each month of the year is used by various governments, groups and organizations to raise awareness of an issue, commemorate a group or event, or celebrate something, October gives support to more causes, groups and events than any other month.  As October is just around the corner, here is a list of notable observed upcoming issues, causes and groups that you can help spread awareness and get involved… and we hope you do!!

• Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October, 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect battered women and advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became a special week when a range of activities were conducted at the local, state and national levels.

These activities were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes: mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived, and connecting those who work to end violence.

• National Liver Cancer Month

National Liver Cancer Month is dedicated to increase understanding of the importance of liver functions, to promote healthful practices and to encourage research into the causes and cures of liver diseases, including hepatitis.  Liver Cancer Awareness is represented by the color yellow.  

The liver is the body’s largest internal organ and the second most important organ of the body overall. It’s estimated that 21,000 Americans are diagnosed with liver cancer each year.

• Dyslexia Awareness Month

Did you know that 1 in 10 people have symptoms of dyslexia, including slow or inaccurate reading, poor spelling, poor writing or mixing up similar words? Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability, and contrary to some beliefs, it is not due to either lack of intelligence or a desire to learn. In fact, with appropriate teaching methods, dyslexics can and do learn successfully. 

Dyslexia Awareness Month is dedicated to provide more varied and essential services to millions of families who seek help for children and adults with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities.

• National Work and Family Month

The National Work and Family Month is the month of October in the United States.  National Work and Family Month is designed to communicate and celebrate the progress towards creating healthier and more flexible work environments. The goal of the campaign is to remind employers about the business benefits of supporting work-life effectiveness programs.

• National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), also referred to in America as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

A variety of events around the world are organized in October, including walks and runs, and the pink illumination of landmark buildings. In the United States, the National Football League promotes breast cancer awareness by incorporating pink on and off the field, and comic strip artists use pink on one day in October.

• National CyberSecurity Awareness Month

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month and it is an opportunity to engage public and private sector stakeholders – especially the general public – to create a safe, secure, and resilient cyber environment. Everyone has to play a role in cybersecurity. Constantly evolving cyber threats require the engagement of the entire nation — from government and law enforcement to the private sector and most importantly, the public.

Through a series of events and initiatives across the country, National Cyber Security Awareness Month engages public and private sector partners to raise awareness and educate Americans about cybersecurity, and increase the resiliency of the Nation and its cyber infrastructure.

• Filipino American History Month

Filipino American History Month, also known as the Filipino American Heritage Month, is celebrated in the United States during the month of October. The Filipino American National Historical Society established Filipino American History Month in the year 1988. In California and Hawaii, where a large number of Filipino Americans reside, Filipino American History Month is widely celebrated. Many Filipino American organizations in these states often initiate their own independent celebrations.

• LGBT History Month

LGBT History Month is a month-long annual observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay right s and related civil rights movements. It is observed during October in the United States, to include National Coming Out Day on October 11.

• National Bullying Prevention Month

National Bullying Prevention Month is a campaign in the United States founded in 2006 by PACER’s National Center for Bullying Prevention. The campaign is held during the month of October and unites communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention. Traditionally held the first week in October, the event was expanded in 2010 to include activities, education, and awareness building for the entire month. National Bullying Prevention Month is recognized in communities across the United States, with hundreds of schools and organizations signing on as partners. Facebook, CNNand Yahoo! Kids have supported the month through media outreach and dissemination.

• National Down Syndrome Awareness Month       

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month.  The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) was instrumental in establishing this month of awareness over thirty years ago with its mission to be national advocates for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. 

NDSS founded the Buddy Walk® in 1995 to spread our mission of promoting the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome at the local level. The National Buddy Walk® Program has grown from 17 Walks in 1995 to over 250 Buddy Walks expected this year. Last year, over 295,000 people participated in a Buddy Walk® and over $11.75 million was raised to support both local and national programs. Most Buddy Walks take place in and around October in celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

• National Youth Justice Awareness Month

October is National Youth Justice Awareness Month! Youth Justice Awareness Month is an opportunity for families, youth, and allies to host community-led actions and events that expose the real-life consequences of children being processed in adult court and placed in adult jails and prisons. With events happening throughout the country, YJAM is not only a time to raise awareness but also a time to build collective action, to strengthen relationships with other advocates, and to join local advocacy campaigns working to create policy changes.

• Spina Bifida Awareness Month

October is National Spina Bifida Awareness Month, a time to educate the public and to shine a light on the birth defect and its related conditions while celebrating the lives of the more than 166,000 Americans affected. Unlocking the mysteries to proper treatment and care of this condition remains an important goal for the Spina Bifida community.

Throughout the month of October, the Spina Bifida Association (SBA) works with its Chapters and the Spina Bifida clinic network to raise awareness and visibility of Spina Bifida. Thousands across the country take part in events for the Walk-N-Roll® for Spina Bifida and Team Spina Bifida that are being held throughout the month.

• National Pregnancy and Child Loss Awareness Month

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time to remember babies who died too soon.  National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month allows this subject to be brought into the spotlight and families to grieve their losses publicly, as well as privately. This awareness helps bereaved individuals know they are never alone too.

If you or someone you know lost a baby, either during pregnancy or soon thereafter, there are many things you can do to honor them during National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month:

• Hold a candlelight vigil
• Have a balloon, butterfly or ladybug release
• Sponsor a walk or run in memory of that baby
• Create bereavement packages for local Neonatal Intensive Care Units
• Place flowers on the graves of babies at the cemetery
• Start a support group
• Knit, crochet or sew infant blankets, dresses and hats for NICUs that can be given to families whose babies have passed away there
• Participate in A Walk to Remember
• Hold a fund-raiser (bake sale, garage sale, etc) to raise funds for prevention of infant deaths
• Create a scrapbook, memorial website or memory box in honor of the babies you know who have died

• Dwarfism Awareness Month

Since 2009, Little People of America (LPA) has been recognizing October as Dwarfism Awareness Month with the intention of raising positive awareness around dwarfism, addressing common misconceptions and increasing opportunities for people with dwarfism around the country.  Currently five states (Delaware, New York, Missouri, Indiana, and Oklahoma) and Puerto Rico have declared October as National Dwarfism Awareness Month.

Thanks for reading!

Jen