Several Awareness Campaigns Happening in May

While the month of May brings us one step closer to consistently warmer days and the summer season, this year, there are also a number of causes and events taking place I'd like to help bring some awareness towards.ASIAN HERITAGE MONTHAsian Heritage Month is an opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent who, throughout our history, have done so much to make Canada the amazing country we share today. The theme for Asian Heritage Month 2020, "Asian Canadians: United in Diversity", was inspired by the long and rich history of these Canadians who continue, even today, to enrich our country and make it a more vibrant, inclusive and compassionate society. Let us celebrate in May the incredible diversity that is our strength.To learn more, please visit the Government of Canada's website.BLADDER CANCER AWARENESS MONTHSince marking the first Bladder Cancer Awareness Month in Canada five years ago, Bladder Cancer Canada has benefited from awareness garnered by countless volunteer-driven initiatives that have impacted the lives of the more than 80,000 Canadians facing bladder cancer.For more information, please visit bladdercancercanada.org.BRAIN TUMOUR AWARENESS MONTHMay is Brain Tumour Awareness Month in Canada and the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Foundation's theme this year is #TurnMayGrey. There are numerous ways to get involved and help #EndBrainTumours in 2020, according to its website.As part of the #TurnMayGrey initiative, the Foundation is encouraging people to show how they are going grey! Since we are unable to get to a hairdresser, they are encouraging the public to let their grey hair fly! Post a picture of your “quarantine hair” and consider donating what you would typically spend on your hair cut!No grey hair? No problem!Don your favourite grey shirts, pants, hats, nail polish… anything and everything to #TurnMayGrey.Encourage your family, friends, and coworkers to join in and fundraise. Funds raised go towards programs and services for brain tumour patients and their loved ones, as well as life-changing research.Share your story about how you helped Turn May Grey, or tag the Foundation @BrainTumourFdn on social media with #TurnMayGrey.To learn more, please visit braintumour.ca.CELIAC AWARENESS MONTHIn this time of heightened health concerns and food shortages, one segment of the population remains particularly at-risk – Canadians living with celiac disease. Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by the consumption of foods containing gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye and barley), affects 1 in every 100 Canadians. Some of the most common symptoms include chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss, while lesser known symptoms include bone disease, migraines, infertility and anemia.For more information, please visit: celiac.ca.CYSTIC FIBROSIS AWARENESS MONTHMay is cystic fibrosis (CF) awareness month. While Cystic Fibrosis Canada works year round to inform people on what CF is, raise essential funds for research and care and demonstrate how CF impacts the lives of Canadians, May brings a series of special events and activities that help spread our message even further to make a powerful impact.Visit cysticfibrosis.ca for more.FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS MONTHMay is Food Allergy Awareness Month in Canada and Food Allergy Canada works to advocates and works towards making food allergy a public health priority.Food allergy is one of the leading causes of potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions and a public health concern in Canada, especially among children. Approximately 2.6 million Canadians are affected by food allergy, and 1-in-2 Canadians know someone with a food allergy, indicating the broader impact of this condition on families across the country. As there is no way of predicting how severe an allergic reaction may be and no known cure for food allergy, avoiding the allergenic food is required to prevent a reaction.Find out what Food Allergy Canada is doing this month at foodallergycanada.ca.FOOT HEALTH AWARENESS MONTHThe Ontario Podiatric Medical Association has launched a Public Education and Awareness Campaign to increase public knowledge about the importance of good foot health and to share information on common foot condition and ailments.Click this link - opma.ca - for more details.JEWISH HERITAGE MONTHThis May marks the third annual Jewish Heritage Month, a time to celebrate Jewish culture, faith, and history in Canada.Canada is home to the fourth-largest Jewish community in the world. Though this May will be different, due to COVID-19, Canadians can still celebrate the important contributions Jewish Canadians have made to Canada's social, economic, political, and cultural fabric while recognizing their courage and strength throughout history.To learn more about local Jewish heritage, please visit Shaarei-Beth El Congregation of Halton's website.MELANOMA AWARENESS MONTHMay is Melanoma Awareness Month -- a call to action to increase public awareness about melanoma.  This includes increasing the understanding of its prevalence, the importance of skin checks and early detection, treatment options, and more.For more information, please visit the Melanoma Network of Canada's website.MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AWARENESS MONTHMultiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease which affects the central nervous system (directly affects the brain and spinal cord).A chronic and unpredictable condition, multiple sclerosis is marked by a variety of symptoms which may include:

• problems with bladder control, speech and vision
• numbness
• loss of muscle control
• weakness
• problems with muscle coordination
• tremors
• depression

Multiple sclerosis affects around 50,000 Canadians, and approximately 3 people are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis each day. Multiple sclerosis is the most prevalent neurological disease in young adults in Canada.Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about this condition.Funding raising activities during May and also throughout the year raise help the Canadian MS Society to:

• support MS groups throughout Canada
• provide funding assistance and equipment
• provide information and reference materials for those affected by multiple sclerosis including friends, family and health professionals
• provide support programs directed towards the children of those with multiple sclerosis

Visit mssociety.ca for more.NATIONAL PHYSIOTHERAPY MONTHPhysiotherapy is used by healthcare professionals to promote healing and well-being through massage and manipulation of the body.National Physiotherapy Month promotes the physiotherapy profession, making people aware of its benefits. These benefits include increased:

• mobility
• endurance
• confidence
• independence

For more information, visit the Ontario National Physiotherapy Month webpage and Canadian Physiotherapy Association webpage.-- Mayor Marianne Meed Ward--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist.