A Mixture of December + January Awareness Months

December:

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month: 

December is a month known for cold weather and various holiday celebrations. As a result, December is a time when traveling and icy road conditions are prevalent. This marks a necessary time for Canadians to be more considerate of safe driving.  

According to the province of Ontario, impaired driving is the compromise of operating a vehicle safely because of the consumption of harmful substances. Impaired driving is not only the leading cause of serious road crashes and injuries, but it is also one of the leading causes of death in Canada. In 2019, Canadian police reported that impaired driving killed 155 people and injured another 540 people that year. To keep yourself and others safe, do not drive a motor vehicle if you have consumed any substances, such as alcohol and even medications. 

National Safe Toys and Gifts Month: 

December is the time of gift-giving, so it is important to carefully choose toys that are given to younger children. Each year, many children end up in the emergency room, particularly with eye injuries and blocked airways because of harmful toys. To avoid accidents, consider the following questions: 

Is the toy/gift age appropriate? 

Has the toy/gift been approved by proper regulatory bodies? 

Does the toy/gift have small removable parts that can become choking hazards? 

December 3rd: International Day of Persons with Disabilities: 

Promoted by the United Nations and observed internationally since 1992, International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities in all spheres of life, as well as to promote an understanding of disabilities. The theme of 2024, 'Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future', epitomises the movement’s slogan of 'Nothing About Us Without Us'. 

December 10th: International Human Rights Day: 

International Human Rights Day celebrates the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document that sets a standard of achievement for fundamental human rights internationally. The theme of 2024 was ‘Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now’ and is a call to act against various injustices whenever possible. These important actions include speaking up against hate speech and correcting misinformation. 

January: 

Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month: 

Alzheimer's disease is a condition that causes a gradual loss of memory, making it the leading cause of dementia in the world. Alzheimer’s worsens over time and usually affects people over the age of 65. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Everyone experiences Alzheimer’s disease differently, with different medical research organizations having different ways to frame the stages of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer's Disease Month is used to spread awareness about Alzheimer’s, which aims to discourage any negative stigma and push for policy changes to support those with Alzheimer’s. 

National Blood Donor Month: 

January also celebrates National Blood Donor Month in the United States. This time is to celebrate and express gratitude to blood donors because of the impact of their actions. December sees the least amount of donors each year because of the flu and holiday celebrations, which increases the risk of shortages. Blood transfusions help many needs in medical care, including surgeries, cancer, and childbirth.  

Jan 20th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on the third Monday of each January in the United States. This year, this holiday was observed on the 20th, honouring his legacy. Martin Luther King Junior was an American civil rights activist and an important figurehead in the movement to stop racial injustice in the United States. He is most famous for his 'I Have a Dream' speech, which was presented in 1963. This impactful speech voiced the frustrations of many black people living in the United States. 'I Have a Dream' is regarded as one of the most well-crafted speeches in recent history. 

January 26th: World Leprosy Day: 

The last Sunday of each January is World Leprosy Day, a day raising awareness about Hansen’s Disease, also known as leprosy. Leprosy is a chronic bacterial infection that causes nerve damage, such as paralysis in the hands or feet. Though cases of leprosy have steadily declined throughout the years, over 200,000 people are still diagnosed with leprosy each year.  

January 27th: International Holocaust Remembrance Day: 

We hold Holocaust Remembrance Day to remind us of the largest genocide in human history. On January 27th, 1945, the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp that caused the death of millions of Jewish people was liberated.  On this day, people light candles and read out the names of victims, in remembrance of those who were killed in the Holocaust.