Awareness Days & Months

A List of US National or International awareness days weeks or months set by a major organization or government to commemorate a medical research or ethical cause of importance.

"Some information courtesy of National Health Observances, National Health Information Center, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC."

Throughout the year organizations support a variety of initiatives to raise awareness and understanding for key health issues around the world. Awareness days, weeks and months engage the public in important health information.

A national or international awareness day, week, or month is a date usually set by a major organisation or government to commemorate a medical research or ethical cause of importance on a national or international level.

Usually awareness dates are health related, and help raise awareness of cancers and illnesses, and also around these days charities collect money.

There are also other organizations that declare international observances, although these are not as widely recognized.

The calendar is useful for teachers, organisations and persons seeking forward planning resources, launch dates, events and campaigns across a wide range of categories and event types.

(Also see our List of Awareness Ribbon Colors)

List of U.S. and International Observance Dates

Jump To: Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - June - July - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

Awareness Dates for January
January is Awareness Month For:
Alzheimer's Awareness Month - Canada - Alzheimer Society Awareness Month Awareness Month Celebration of Life Month Codependency Awareness Month (National) - (dianejellen.com/national-codependency-awareness-month/) Constipation awareness month, National Glaucoma Awareness Month, National Ontario March of Dimes Month - Canada Poverty in America Awareness Month, National - according to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development Radon Action Month, National - US Environmental Protection Agency Self-Help Group Awareness Month - according to the Mental Health Clearinghouse Volunteer Blood Donor Month, National
Awareness Days in January:
January 1 - Global Family Day - formerly One Day of Peace and Sharing (Recognized by the UN) January 1 - World Day of Peace - established by pope Paul VI in his letter dated on 8.12.1967 January 4 - World Braille Day - International January 24 - Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day - Globally each year. Professor Paul Julius Moebius first diagnosed the condition in 1888. January 27 - Family Literacy Day - ABC Life Literacy Canada January 27 - International Holocaust Remembrance Day (Recognized by the UN)
Awareness Weeks in January:
3rd Wk - National Non-Smoking Week - Canada - Canadian Council on Smoking and Health 3rd Wed - Weedless Wednesday - Canada - Canadian Council on Smoking and Health
Awareness Dates for February
February is Awareness Month For:
Heart & Stroke Month - National - Heart and Stroke Foundation Human Relations Month International Mother Language Day Month National Boost-Your-Self-Esteem Month
Awareness Days in February:
February 2 - Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day February 4 - World Cancer Day February 4 - World Cancer Day; International - International Union Against Cancer February 6 - International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation February 11 - World Day of the Sick, an observance day instituted by pope John Paul II February 12 - Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day - Canadian Federation for Sexual Health February 12 - International Day of Women's Health - Canadian Foundation for Women's Health February 14 - Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day - Canada - Children's Heart Society February 15 - International Childhood Cancer Day - Interational - Childhood Cancer Foundation February 20 - World Day of Social Justice (Recognized by the UN) February 21 - International Mother Language Day (Recognized by the UN) February 28 (29th in leap year) - Rare Disease Day
Awareness Weeks in February:
1st Wk - Eating Disorder Awareness Week; National; National Eating Disorder Information Centre 1st Wk - International Development Week; National; CIDA 1st Wk - National Therapeutic Recreation Week; National; Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association 1st Wk - White Cane Week; National; Canadian Council of the Blind 2nd Wk - World Orphan Week; International; SOS Children's Villages Canada Last Wed - Pink Shirt Day (Anti-bullying) - Canada - Pink Shirt Day
Awareness Dates for March
March is Awareness Month For:
American Red Cross Month Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month - Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada DVT - (Deep Vein Thrombosis) Prevention Awareness Month Developmental Disabilities Month Endometriosis Awareness Month Epilepsy Month - Epilepsy Canada Easter Seals Month - Ontario - Easter Seals Society Foot Health Month Help Fight Liver Disease Month - Canadian Liver Foundation Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month - Canada - The Arthritis Society Kidney Month - Kidney Foundation of Canada National Self-Injury Awareness Month National Social Workers Month National Color Therapy Month National Caffeine Awareness Month Polio Awareness Month - Polio Canada Red Cross Month - Canadian Red Cross Trisomy Awareness month U.S. National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
Awareness Days in March:
March 1 - Self-Injury Awareness Day March 8 - United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace (Recognized by the UN) March 8 - International Women's Day (Recognized by the UN) March 12 - World Glaucoma Day March 14 - International Day of Action for Rivers March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day March 24 - International Day for Achievers, World Tuberculosis Day (Recognized by the UN) March 25 - U.S. National Cerebral Palsy Awareness day March 26 - Purple Day for Epilepsy March 27 - AFE Awareness Day - An international day uniting those affected by Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE)
Awareness Weeks in March:
1st Wk - Pharmacy Awareness Week - Canadian Pharmacists Association 1st Wk - Lymphedema Awareness Week - BC Lymphedema Association 1st Wk - World Glaucoma Awareness Week - World Glaucoma Week 2nd Wk - Canadian Agricultural Safety Week - Canadian Federation of Agriculture 2nd Wk - National Social Work Week - Canadian Association of Social Workers 3rd Wk - Crisis Line Awareness Week - BC Crisis Line Association
Awareness Dates for April
April is Awareness Month For:
Alcohol Awareness Month American Cancer Society Month Community Service Month Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month; National; Canadian Society of Intestinal Research National Narz Awareness Month National Primary Immunodeficiency Awareness Month - (The Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) www.primaryimmune.org) National Oral Health Month; National; Canadian Dental Association National 30-hour Famine; National; World Vision Canada National Child Abuse Prevention Month Parkinson's Awareness Month; National; Parkinson Society Canada Sarcoidosis Awareness Month Sexual Assault Awareness Month Stress Awareness Month Volunteer Appreciation Month
Awareness Days in April:
April 1 - Youth Homelessness Matters Day April 2 - World Autism Awareness Day (Recognized by the UN) April 7 - World Health Day (Recognized by the UN) April 8 - National Gifted Education Awareness Day in Ireland April 8 - April 8 - Cushing Disease/Syndrome Awareness Day April 9 - National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD) April 10 - National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day April 11 - Parkinson's Disease International Awareness Day. April 12 - International Day for Street Children April 16 - National Stress Awareness Day April 17 - World Hemophilia Day (Recognized by the UN) April 17 - International Hemophilia Day; International; Canadian Hemophilia Society April 19 - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Action Day April 22 - Earth Day April 23 - Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Awareness Day April 25 - World Meningitis Day; International; Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada April 25 - World Malaria Day, recognized by the WHO April 25 - Parental Alienation Awareness Day (PAAD) April 28 - International Workers Memorial Day or International Commemoration Day (ICD) April 29 - International Make-A-Wish Day; International; Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada April 29 - World Primary Immunodeficiency Day (Canada) April 29 - International Noise Awareness Day
Awareness Weeks in April:
2nd Saturday of April - Sarcoidosis Awareness Day April 11-18 - National Porphyria Awareness Week (NPAW) to enhance porphyria awareness in communities by spreading the word about porphyria. April 12-18 - Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week. 13 - 19 - National Dental Hygiene Week; National; Canadian Dental Hygienists Association 20- 27 - National Organ Donor Awareness Week; National; Canadian Association of Transplantation 2nd Wk - World Homeopathy Awareness Week; International; World Homeopathy Awareness Week 3rd Wk - National Medical Laboratory Week; National; Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) 3rd Wk - National Volunteer Week; National; Volunteer Canada
Awareness Dates for May
May is Awareness Month For:
Arthritis Month Allergy/Asthma Awareness Month Better Sleep Month Better Speech and Hearing Month Cystic fibrosis Awareness Month AUSTRALIA & USA Leelee Celiac Awareness Month Correct Posture Month Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) Fibromyalgia Awareness Foot Health Month Lyme Disease Awareness Month Mental Health Month National Mobility Awareness Month - Annual celebration encouraging people with disabilities to enjoy active, mobile lifestyles - www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com National Physical Fitness and Sports Month National High Blood Pressure Month Older Americans Month
Awareness Days in May:
Misophonia awareness day falls on the first Monday in May, and is known as Misophonia Monday May 2 - International Scurvy Awareness Day May 3 - Start of Brain Tumor Action Week May 5 - Cri du Chat Syndrome Day (www.fivepminus.org) May 5 - International Midwives Day May 5 - Ependymoma Awareness Day May 5 - National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day May 5 - World Asthma Day May 6 - World Moyamoya Day May 7 - National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day May 6 - International Awareness Day for Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bones) May 7 - Bladder Cancer Awareness Day May 8 - World Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day May 8 - World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day May 10 - World Lupus Day May 12 - International Nurses Day May 12 - International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) May 14 - Childhood Speech Apraxia Awareness Day May 15 - International Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) Awareness Day May 15 - International Day of Families (Recognized by the UN) May 17 - Worldwide Neurofibromatosis (NF) Awareness Day May 18 - International AIDS Vaccine Day May 18 - International AIDS Candlelight Memorial May 19 - World Hepatitis Day May 19 - Schizencephaly Awareness Day May 20 - International Behcet's Disease Awareness Day May 20 - World Autoimmune Arthritis Day, sponsored by the International Autoimmune Arthritis Movement May 21 - Global Accessibility Awareness Day May 22 - International Day for Biological Diversity (Recognized by the UN) May 23 - International Day to End Obstetric Fistula May 24 - Schizophrenia awareness day (Canada) May 25 - World Thyroid Day (WTD) May 27 - World Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Day. May 28 - World Hunger Day May 31 - World No Tobacco Day (Recognized by the UN)
Awareness Weeks in May:
Week surrounding May 5 - International Cri du Chat Syndrome Awareness Week (www.fivepminus.org) 1st Tuesday of May - World Asthma Day 2nd Sunday of May - International Mothers' Day 2nd Week in May - Williams Syndrome Awareness Week (www.williams-syndrome.org/volunteer/awareness-resources)
Awareness Dates for June
June is Awareness Month For:
Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS) Awareness Month Audiobook Month Chronic Venous Insufficiency Awareness Month National Hunger Awareness Month
Awareness Days in June:
June 1 - International Children's Day June 1 - World Hypoparathyroidism Awareness June 2 - National Gun Violence Awareness Day June 3 - Telehealthcare Awareness Day June 4 - International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression June 5 - National HIV/AIDS Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day June 6 - Hunger Day June 7 - National Cancer Survivors Day June 8 - World Brain Tumour Day June 11 - Neuropathy Action Awareness Day June 13 - Young Carers Awareness Day (U.K.) June 13 - International Albinism Awareness Day June 14 - World Blood Donor Day (Recognized by the UN) June 15 - World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) June 16 - Achalasia Awareness Day (Martin Mueller IV Achalasia Awareness Foundation) June 17 - CDKL5 Worldwide Awareness Day June 18 - Autistic Pride Day June 19 - World Sickle Cell Day, by UN Resolution June 20 - World Refugee Day (Recognized by the UN) June 21 - Global day of recognition of ALS/MND June 23 - Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day. June 25 - World Vitiligo Awareness Day June 26 - International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking - United Nations (UN) June 27 - U.S. National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Day. June 29 - World Scleroderma Awareness Day June 30 - Asteroid Awareness Day
Awareness Dates for July
July is Awareness Month For:
Disability Pride Month (NY) Fragile X (FXS) Awareness Month National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month (NCCAPM)
Awareness Days in July:
July 1 - Doctor's Day - Bidhan Chandra Roy Birthday July 2 - National Corpus Callosum Awareness Day (Australia) July 5 2015 - International Day of Cooperatives (Recognized by the UN first Saturday in July) July 6 - International Kissing Day July 11 - World Population Day July 12 - Disability Awareness Day (DAD) (U.K.) July 13 - Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) Awareness Day July 15 - World Youth Skills Day July 16 - Disability (ADA) Awareness Day July 17 - World Day for International Justice July 18 - Nelson Mandela International Day July 21 - National Farm Safety Awareness Day July 22 - Fragile X Awareness Day (FXS) July 23 - World Sjogren's Day July 24 - National Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Day July 28 - World Hepatitis Day July 30 - Gastroschisis Awareness Day
Awareness Weeks in July:
Last Friday of July - System Administrator Appreciation Day
Awareness Dates for August
August is Awareness Month For:
Cataract Awareness Month Children's Eye Health and Safety Month Children's Vision and Learning Month Don't be a Bully Month Immunization Awareness Month, Natl Neurosurgery Outreach Month Never Leave a Child Unattended in a Car, Purple Ribbon Month Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month Studious Behavior Awareness Month
Awareness Days in August:
August 1 - Clergy Sexual Abuse Awareness Day US & International August 6 - National Fresh Breath Day August 6 - National Wiggle Your Toes Day August 7 - Purple Heart Day August 8 - Happiness Happens Day August 9 - International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples August 12 - International Youth Day August 13 - International Lefthanders Day August 19 - World Humanitarian Day August 20 - National Honey Bee Day August 21 - National Senior Citizens Day August 30 - International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances August 31 - International Overdose Awareness Day
Awareness Dates for September
September is Awareness Month For:
Achalasia Awareness Month - Achalasia Awareness Organization Chiari Awareness Month National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month U.S. National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month - U.S. Senate Resolution 533 designates September 2014 as National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month Emergency Care Month National Children Cancer Awareness Month National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month National Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month National Tumor Awareness Month National Sight Saving Month National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month National Cholesterol Awareness Month National Recovery Month National Baby Safety Month Women of Achievement Month
Awareness Days in September:
September 4 - World Cerebral Palsy Day (List of Famous People with Cerebral Palsy) September 5 - International Day of Charity (U.N.) September 7 - Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - The first World Duchenne Awareness Day will take place 7 Sept 2014. Duchenne patients and organisations all over the world will participate in order to raise awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy September 8 - National Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses Day September 9 - International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day (FASD) (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Children) September 10 - World Suicide Prevention Day September 11 - Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance (U.S.) September 12 - World First Aid Day (2015) September 13 - Celiac Disease Awareness Day - List of Gluten Free Food and Drink Products September 15 - Pension Awareness Day (U.K.) September 15 - World Lymphoma Awareness Day - Hodgkin's Lymphoma September 16 - National School Backpack Awareness Day September 18 - National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day ---------------- September 21 - Myositis Awareness Day - Designated by U.S. Congress September 22 - World Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Day September 25 - International Ataxia Awareness Day September 28 - World Rabies Day September 30 - Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Day
Awareness Weeks in September:
National Rehabilitation Awareness Week - (Actual Date Subject to Change Each Year)
Awareness Dates for October
October is Awareness Month For:
Disability Employment Awareness Month Diversity Awareness Month Diarrhea Awareness Month Dwarfism Awareness Month Dysautonomia Awareness Month (www.dysautonomiainternational.org) Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month - (www.e-ii.org) Hunger Awareness Month National Bullying Prevention Month National Breast Cancer Awareness Month National Depression Education and Awareness Month National Health Care Food Service Month National AIDS Awareness Month National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Month National Down Syndrome Awareness Month National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month Spina bifida awareness month Vaccine Injury Awareness Month Vegetarian Awareness Month
Awareness Days in October:
October 1 - International Day of Older Persons (Recognized by the UN) October 1 - World Vegetarian Day October 7 - International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day October 7 - Team Margot Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness Day October 8 - World Humanitarian Action Day October 9 - World Hospice and Palliative Care Day October 10 - World Mental Health Day - Established by The World Federation of Mental Health October 10 - World Day Against Death Penalty, recognized by the WCADP October 13 - Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day October 14 - Global Food Protein Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) Day October 15 - World Blind Day / World Sight Day October 15 - International Day of Rural Women (Recognized by the UN) October 15 - Global Handwashing Day October 15 - National White Cane Safety Day October 15 - Blind Americans Equality Day October 16 - World Food Day (Recognized by the UN) October 17 - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (Recognized by the UN) October 22 - International Stuttering Awareness Day October 25 - Spina Bifida Awareness Day October 25 - Hydrocephalus Day October 25 - 31 - International Epidermolysis Bullosa Awareness Week
Awareness Dates for November
November is Awareness Month For:
COPD Awareness Month Dercum's Disease (Adiposis Dolorosa) Awareness month Good Nutrition Month National Epilepsy Month National Diabetes Awareness Month National Red Ribbon Month (anti-drunkdriving) National Hospice Month National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month National Prematurity Awareness Month Vegan Awareness Month
Awareness Days in November:
November 1 - World Vegan Day November 1 - Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Awareness Day - Recognized by the LGS Foundation, a national 501(c)3 organization, as the official awareness day for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. November 8 - Aicardi Syndrome Awareness Day November 10 - World Immunization Day November 14 - World Diabetes Day (Recognized by the UN) November 16 - International Day for Tolerance (Recognized by the UN) November 20 - Universal Children's Day (Recognized by the UN) November 25 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (Recognized by the UN)
Awareness Weeks in November:
National Radiologic Technology Week(R) - Celebrated annually to recognize the vital work of R.T.s across the nation. The celebration takes place each November to commemorate the anniversary of the x-ray's discovery by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen on Nov. 8, 1895. Learn more www.asrt.org/nrtw Third Sunday of November - World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (Recognized by the UN)
Awareness Dates for December
December is Awareness Month For:
AIDS Awareness Month Constipation Awareness Month Universal Human Rights Month
Awareness Days in December:
December 1 - World Aids Day (Recognized by the UN) December 3 - International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Recognized by the UN) December 10 - Human Rights Day (Recognized by the UN)