Healthcare holidays serve as a great way to get involved with movements throughout the year. June is a host for quite a few overlapping events, so we’ve taken a moment to highlight some of the different healthcare efforts and focuses. Take a look below and let us know how you plan to get involved!

Monthly Holidays:

• Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month: Myasthenia Gravis (pronounced `my˖ĕs˖`thēēn˖ē˖ă  `grăv˖ĭs), also known as MG, is a rare neuromuscular disorder. MG is caused by the body’s immune defenses attacking certain proteins in muscles called acetylcholine. While no one is entirely sure what causes the immune system to turn on the body like this, progress as been made in early diagnosis and the creation of a cure. If you are interested in in helping raise awareness and funds for future research with MG, check out the 2021 events and fundraising pages!

• Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month: July is the month to take extra time to learn about, and help, the 50 million people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias worldwide. Check out the Alzheimer’s Association website to see what events and fundraising efforts you can join. This program, created in 1980, has become very flexible in how they fundraise, making it possible for people to help through simply doing what they love.

• PTSD Awareness Month: ‘Not all wounds are visible’ is the popular slogan for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness. PTSD was first recognized as a disorder after being included in the 1980 Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III). Over the years, it has been redefined multiple times, both in he definition of what it is and what causes it. The American Psychiatric Association states that one in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD in heir lifetime, so take the time now to learn more so you do not miss the signs in yourself or loved ones in the future.

Weekly Holidays:

• Men’s Health Week (June 14 – 20): June is Men’s Health Month, but there is a specific week dedicated to the effort. The goal of Men’s Health Week is to “heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys”, according to the official website. Toxic masculinity and social expectation have a long history of shaming boys and men away from proper medical care. Take this week to check in on the men in your life and open a conversation about health and expectations for care.

• Helen Keller DeafBlind Awareness Week (June 27 – July 3): The Helen Keller National Center, also known as the HKNC, provides training and resources exclusively to DeafBlind youths and adults, starting at 16 years of age, as well as their fellow students, family, and coworkers. 2020 saw the HKNC’s efforts towards improving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) to be incredibly successful. This year’s DeafBlind Awareness Week works towards encouraging companies to recognize that DeafBlind employees bring unique insights and perspectives that can help companies grow.

Daily Holidays:

• National Cancer Survivors Day (June 6): This holiday is not only about raising awareness and funds for creating a better quality of life for those who have survived cancer. National Cancer Survivors Day (NCSD) is also about celebrating life. 2021 will be the 34th annual celebration of life for those who have been touched by cancer and the NCSD website has great resources and ways to get involved the day of.

• Autistic Pride Day (June 18): June is Pride Month and June 18th is Autistic Pride Day. Symbolized by a rainbow infinity symbol, this day is meant to bring awareness to the fact that people with Autism are individual and unique and should be celebrated as such. The American Autism Association has many ways to get involved, so set aside some time to celebrate in your community.

• National HIV Testing Day (June 27): Knowing is half the battle, but we need to act in order to know. National HIV Testing Day is incredibly important as it brings awareness to the fact that HIV is an Epidemic that can be eradicated. The more people who get tested and are aware of their status, the faster they can receive treatment and ensure that they do not spread the virus.

If you are interested in hearing more about healthcare holidays, check out our previous guides for April and May! What other healthcare holidays do you celebrate? Let us know!