Awareness Days Calendar 2024
October Awareness Days
Black History Month
October 1 - October 31, 2024 (UK Dates)
First celebrated as 'Black History Month' in the US in 1970 (1987 in the UK), Black History Month is a time to learn and reflect on Black History. There are a number of charities and causes that are working hard every day:
Charities and Causes to support for Black History Month:
The Black Curriculum - a social enterprise founded in 2019 by Lavinya Stennett to address the lack of Black British history in the national curriculum
Show Racism the Red Card - combatting racism by enabling role models to share their messages with young people and others
Black Minds Matter - connecting Black individuals and families with free mental health services- by professional Black therapists to support their mental health
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 1 - October 31, 2024
Breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in the world with over 2.2 million new cases in 2020. It is also the 5 most common cause of cancer death with almost 685,000 estimated deaths in 2020, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time to step back and raise awareness for Breast Cancer.
Stores looking to raise awareness for Breast Cancer have a number of options available from spreading awareness with their employees to supporting charities battling the disease. A few recommendations for here.
One company that has been supporting Breast Cancer Charities is Estée Lauder. Over the past 30 years, they have raised over $70 million for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation with their multiple brands including; Clinique, Jo Malone, and Bobbi Brown (to name a few). The Estée Lauder Pink Ribbon Collection includes many products from these brands with proceeds working towards a world free from Breast Cancer.
Charities and Causes to support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
Breast Cancer Now - help everyone stand the best possible chance of surviving breast cancer
Little Lifts -Providing the most thoughtfully handpicked gifts to support people with breast cancer
Prevent Breast Cancer - solely dedicCanvero predicting, preventing and protecting future generations from breast cancer.
World Animal Day
October 4, 2024
It is a global event that aims to raise awareness about animal welfare, promote animal rights, and celebrate the role animals play in our lives. It encourages compassion, responsible pet ownership, and advocacy for the well-being and protection of animals.
Charities and Causes to support on World Animal Day:
Whether you are supporting big cats or small pets. There are a number of pet based and wildlife charities that you can support. Here are a few:
RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) - largest UK animal welfare charity, working to prevent cruelty, promote kindness, and provide rescue and rehoming services for animals.
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home - animal rescue organisation that cares for and finds loving homes for abandoned dogs and cats, providing essential medical care and rehabilitation.
Born Free Foundation - wildlife charity campaigning against animal exploitation, rescuing captive animals, and advocating for wildlife protection and conservation efforts.
World Mental Health Day
October 10, 2024
First celebrated in 1992, World Mental Health Day is observed by the WHO as an opportunity to bring attention to mental illness and help remove the stigma associated with it. Each year has a different focal point ranging from depression to living with schizophrenia.
Regardless of the theme, October 10th is a great day for all people and organisations to take a stand for positive mental health.
Charities and Causes to support on World Mental Health Day:
There are many great mental health charities that you can support. Here are a few:
Hospital Rooms - transforming mental health hospitals with the world’s best artists, patients, staff, and the wider community
Rethink Mental Illness - ensuring that everyone impacted by mental illness has a good quality of life
Seaful - Improving mental health by helping more people to reconnect to the ocean and waterways
Network for Africa - working with local communities to support people and work to improve their mental health
World Homeless Day
October 10, 2024
The purpose of World Homeless Day is to raise awareness of homelessness, poverty, and inadequate housing. It is estimated that over 100 million people across the world are homeless with another 1.6 billion people living in inadequate housing.
Homelessness is such an important issue because its impact goes beyond the individuals and onto the community. Homelessness has a knock-on effect on resources with impacts on healthcare and crime in the community.
Charities and Causes to support on World Homeless Day:
There are many great homelessness charities that you can support today. Here are a few:
Shelter - provides advice and information to people and advocates to government and local authorities for new laws and policies on housing
DOTS (Dogs on the Streets) - providing food, items, and medical services to dogs living on the street with their homeless companions
Crisis - help the homeless find a home and an income
International Day of the Girl
October 11, 2024
International Day of the Girl aims to highlight and address the unique challenges faced by girls around the world and promote their empowerment.
Charities and Causes to support International Day of the Girl:
Plan International - works to advance children's rights and equality for girls, focusing on improving access to education and promoting gender equality.
Girlguiding - provides a safe and supportive environment for girls to develop their skills, build confidence, and make a positive difference.
Malala Fund - advocates for girls' education worldwide and empowers girls through quality education initiatives.
National Coming Out Day
October 11, 2024
National Coming Out Day celebrates and supports individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) in their journey of self-acceptance and coming out.
Charities and Causes to support for National Coming Out Day:
There are many great LGBTQ+ charities that you can support today. Here are a few:
Stonewall - campaigns for the equality of LGBTQ+ people, creating inclusive environments, and advocating for policy changes.
LGBT Foundation - provides support services, health resources, and promotes social inclusion and acceptance for LGBTQ+ communities.
Mermaids - supports transgender and gender-diverse children, young people, and families through information and advocacy.
World Food Day
October 16, 2024
World Food Day raises awareness about global food security and aims to eliminate hunger and malnutrition worldwide.
Charities and Causes to support on World Food Day:
There are many great food charities that you can support today. Here are a few
The Trussell Trust - works to end hunger and poverty in the UK by providing emergency food assistance through a network of food banks.
Mary's Meals - provides daily meals in schools to children in impoverished communities, breaking the cycle of poverty and improving educational outcomes.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
October 17, 2024
The World Bank estimates that around 8.5% of the world's population (685 million people) could be extremely poor by the end of 2022.
On October 17th, 1987 over 100,000 people marched to the Trocadéro in Paris to honour victims of hunger, and violence, and to express their refusal of extreme poverty. Poverty can come in many different forms (an inability to access food, clean water, educational materials, etc).
There are many initiatives both domestic and international working to give people the necessities they need.
Charities and Causes to support on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty:
The One Foundation - supports sustainable water and sanitation services to change lives in some of the world’s poorest communities
Mary's Meals - provides chronically hungry children with one meal every school day, encouraging education that can lift them out of poverty in later life
Crisis - help the homeless find a home and an income
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