World Leprosy Day
World Leprosy Day is annually observed around the world on the last Sunday of January. The day was initiated in 1954 by French philanthropist and writer, Raoul Follereau, as a way to raise global awareness of this deadly ancient disease and call attention to the fact that it can be prevented, treated and cured. Doctors and other medical professionals spend time talking to the public about how to recognize the symptoms of leprosy. Seminars are held around the world to address the problems faced by leprosy patients and to find ways to reduce the social stigma faced by them.
National Blood Donor Month
Each January we celebrate you, our dedicated blood and platelet donors, during National Blood Donor Month. We couldn’t carry out our lifesaving mission without you. As we begin the New Year, the Red Cross encourages individuals to resolve to roll up a sleeve to give this month and throughout 2018. Blood donors bring hope and promise to hospital patients who may need blood for their very life. Donors are people like you who play a vital role in modern health care by helping ensure hospitals have blood for patients.
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
The American Cancer Society is actively fighting cervical cancer on many fronts. We are helping women get tested for cervical cancer, helping them understand their diagnosis, and helping them get the treatments they need. The American Cancer Society also funds new research to help prevent, find, and treat cervical cancer. Nearly 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, but the disease is virtually always preventable with vaccination and appropriate screening.
Thyroid Awareness Month
Thyroid disease affects approximately 200 million people worldwide, and if left undiagnosed and untreated it can cause conditions such depression, tremors, muscle weakness and constant fatigue. Experts at the Head and Neck Institute at Mount Sinai Health System encourage the general public to perform regular thyroid neck self-exams and examining your neck can in some cases help you find lumps or enlargements that may point to thyroid conditions, including nodules, goiter and thyroid cancer.