National Breastfeeding Month is observed in August. National Breastfeeding Month brings attention to the benefits of breastfeeding and supports and encourages mothers to achieve their breastfeeding goals. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that healthy mothers exclusively breastfeed (providing no other food or liquid) to their infants for the first six months of life. In addition, as…

Gastroparesis Awareness Month, otherwise known as Digestive Tract Paralysis, is observed in August and sponsored by the Gastroparesis Patient Association for Cures and Treatments, Inc. Gastroparesis Awareness Month is a time to focus attention on important health messages about gastroparesis diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life issues. Gastroparesis Awareness Month goals include improving understanding of gastroparesis…

Digestive Tract Paralysis Awareness Month, otherwise known as gastroparesis, is observed in July and sponsored by the Gastroparesis Patient Association for Cures and Treatments, Inc. Symptoms of gastroparesis can impair quality of life and well-being. The severity of gastroparesis ranges from being uncomfortable to debilitating, and in some cases life-threatening. Digestive Tract Paralysis Awareness Month is…

Children's Eye Health and Safety Month, observed in August and sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, encourages parents to take children for an eye examination as part of their back to school check list. Child Eye Health and Safety Month, in addition to immunizations and school orientations, highly recommends a child receive an eye examination…

UV Safety Month, observed in July, is a time to increase awareness of UV safety, and to spur advocacy in order to prevent damage from the sun and its rays. UV Safety Month is also a time to remind ourselves to protect not only our skin in the summer months, but our eyes, too. Both are…

Sarcoma Awareness Month is observed in July. Sarcoma is still considered to be the “forgotten cancer.” Efforts to encourage research and drug development are made more challenging due to a lack of awareness and understanding. How as a community do we raise funds for vital research if people don’t know that this cancer exists? Though the…

National Minority Mental Health Month is observed during the month of July. Mental health conditions do not discriminate based on race, color, gender or identity. Anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness regardless of their background. However, background and identity can make access to mental health treatment much more difficult. National Minority Mental Health Month was…

National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month, observed in July, highlights awareness and resources about cleft and craniofacial defects and other conditions that can affect the head and face. National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month and its partner organizations maintain a variety of programs that promote public awareness and offer support and educational…

Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month is observed in July and sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation. Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month is a time to increase awareness of juvenile arthritis, promote the need for a cure, and spur advocacy on behalf of those suffering from juvenile arthritis. Juvenile arthritis is not the same as grandma’s aches and pains. Children with…

International Group B Strep Awareness Month, observed in July, is a time to increase awareness of Group B Strep, promote the need for a cure, and spur advocacy on behalf of those suffering with the emotional, financial and physical burden of Group B Strep. International Group B Strep Awareness Month recognizes that approximately one in…

Hemochromatosis Screening and Awareness Month is observed during July. Hemochromatosis is an inherited disorder of excessive body accumulation of iron. It is common among the white population, affecting approximately 1 in 400 individuals of European ancestry. Hemochromatosis patients are believed to absorb excessive amounts of iron from the diet. Since the human body has limited ways…

Cord Blood Awareness Month is observed in July and sponsored by the Parent's Guide to Cord Blood Foundation. Today, stem cells are mainly used in the treatment of disease and tissue regeneration. They typically come from one of three sources – cord blood, bone marrow and peripheral blood. Cord blood stem cells are found in the…