Dr. Bub and Associates Family Medical Center

December 1-7

Aplastic Anemia & MDS Awareness Week

Every day, more than 50 people will be diagnosed with aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), or another bone marrow failure disease. Tens of thousands more are survivors. These diseases can strike any person at any age, regardless of gender, race, or neighborhood. This week’s aim is to raise awareness about these little-known yet life-threatening diseases and show support for patients and families affected by these often life-long conditions.

December 1

AIDS Day (World)

In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) established World AIDS Day. In 2007, an estimated 33 million people worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS. December 1 focuses global attention on the continuing impact of the epidemic and encourages each of us to take action to expand our collective response to the epidemic. 

November 1-31
Lung Cancer Awareness Month

CancerCare provides counseling, education, and practical support to anyone facing a lung cancer diagnosis. The annual Lung Cancer Walk, held the first Sunday in November (November 6), raises awareness and funds for CancerCare services, provided by professional oncology social workers free of charge to patients, survivors, caregivers, family members and loved ones, and the bereaved.

November 1-31

Home Care & Hospice Month (National)

Each November, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) celebrates National Home Care Month, National Hospice Month, and Home Care Aide Week (November 13-19, 2011) to honor care-giving heroes who make a remarkable difference in the lives of patients and the families they serve. NAHC develops themes each year to exemplify the high regard held for home care and hospice professionals and the special relationships they maintain with patients and their family members.

November 1-31
Healthy Skin Month (National)

National Healthy Skin Month was created to encourage people to protect and care for their skin, hair, and nails.

November 1-31
Diabetes Month (National)

November is American Diabetes Month, a time to communicate the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of diabetes prevention and control. For years, the American Diabetes Association has used this month as an opportunity to raise awareness of the disease and its serious complications.

November 1-31

Epilepsy Awareness Month (National)

Epilepsy affects nearly three million Americans, and 200,000 are diagnosed with the condition each year. During November, the Epilepsy Foundation promotes epilepsy awareness to dispel common myths about seizure disorders. Epilepsy can be a debilitating condition not only from the seizures but too often because of the ignorance, fears, and prejudice of others.

November 1-31

Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month (National)

In 1983, nearly 20 years before he died of the disease, President Ronald Reagan helped to launch a national campaign against Alzheimer’s disease, declaring November National Alzheimer’s Disease Month. Advocacy efforts by the Alzheimer’s Association continue to lead the call for increased government funding for critical Alzheimer’s research and support programs.

October 21

Mammography Day (National)

Celebrated on the third Friday in October during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Mammography Day encourages women across America to receive or sign up for a mammogram screening.

October 23-31
Red Ribbon Week (National)

The Red Ribbon Campaign is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of young people annually during Red Ribbon Week. The campaign and the tradition of displaying red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance of drug use began in 1985 when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA agent Kiki Camarena. To download a planning guide go to www.nfp.org.

October 16-22

Kids Care Week

Kids Care Week, celebrated the third week of October, recognizes the power of kids to reach out and help others in their community. During this week, young people focus their compassion on a specific social issue through a service project. Kids Care Week culminates on Make a Difference Day, a national day of doing good sponsored by HandsOn Network and USA Weekend.

October 1-31

Dental Hygiene Month (National)

National Dental Hygiene Month focuses on increasing public awareness of the oral health/total health connection and recognizes the unique position dental hygienists play in providing quality preventive care for their patients.

October 1-31

Healthy Lung Month

Lung disease is the number three killer in America, responsible for one in six deaths. Healthy Lung Month honors the more than 35 million Americans currently living with a chronic lung disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), otherwise known as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Year round, the American Lung Association is working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.

October 1-31

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (National)

This year, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) celebrates its 27th anniversary. Since its beginning, NBCAM’s mission has evolved along with the national dialogue on breast cancer. Today, NBCAM is committed to increasing awareness of breast cancer issues, including early detection and encouraging women to take charge of their own breast health by practicing regular breast self-exams, scheduling annual mammograms, adhering to prescribed treatment, and knowing the facts about recurrence.

In 1935, the Southern Medical Association (SMA) initiated the celebration of Doctors’ Day, an observance that culminated in the 1990 proclamation by President George Bush of March 30 as National Doctors’ Day. SMA continues to encourage its members to promote the observance through community projects. These projects pay tribute to physicians, remind the public of doctors’ dedication to the health and welfare of patients, and increase awareness of the positive role of physicians in the community.

Celebrate with local and national activities to raise awareness of athletic trainers and recognize their work as healthcare professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses. Athletic trainers (not to be confused with personal trainers) hold bachelor’s degrees and maintain certification through the Board of Certification.  There are about 35,000 athletic trainers who work in hospitals, physician offices, schools, and clinics.

During American Heart Month, the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement and its latest Hispanic initiative, Go Red Por Tu Corazón, work to save women’s lives and beat heart disease, the number-one killer of women. Each year, cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of nearly half a million women—that’s almost one per minute. Show support for the women in your life on National Wear Red Day, February 4, by wearing red, and join the thousands of women who are choosing to reduce their personal risk for heart disease.

The March of Dimes observes National Birth Defects Prevention Month every January. Good health habits for everyone include knowing your family history and genetic risks, seeing a doctor, taking care not to expose yourself to diseases, and managing health problems. 

For women, these habits should also include taking a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid daily starting before pregnancy. 

The Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership presents this smoking cessation program.

The largest competitive athletic event in the Lehigh Valley region will be held this year on April 25. As it has in the past, it will attract about 4,000 runners to the streets and parks of Allentown. But this year, it will have a new name – St. Luke's Lehigh Valley Half Marathon, with St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network stepping up as the presenting sponsor.