March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
Cerebral palsy is a movement disorder that can affect posture and many aspects of daily life. Cerebral palsy (CP) is caused by damage or abnormal development in parts of the…
28 February – Rare Disease Day
Rare Disease Day is observed every year on the 28th of February (or 29th in leap years, the rarest day of the year). The Day was set up and is…
Breast Cancer Signs & Symptoms
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women of all races. According to the 2019 National Cancer Registry (NCR), the lifetime risk in South Africa is 1 in 27.…
A World of Hope: Understanding and Supporting Childhood Cancer
In South Africa, an average of 800 to 1000 children are newly diagnosed with cancer each year. Childhood cancers share general symptoms with other illnesses; knowing the warning signs can…
Shine a Light on Childhood Cancer: Support our BackaBuddy Campaign for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month — a time when we come together to support the brave children and families fighting a battle they never chose. The need is profound,…
July is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health refers to a person’s condition with regard to their psychological, emotional, and social well-being. According to World Health Organization (WHO), it is a "state of well-being in which…
May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month
What is Brain Cancer? Our bodies have billions of cells which grow and multiply to help support the body's natural functions and processes, like repairing damage. If the cells in…
SunSmart Skin Cancer Awareness Month: 1 December – 31 January
Skin cancer awareness month in South Africa runs from 1 December to 31 January. It`s not “just skin cancer” when it`s the largest organ of your body. Use protection against…
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – Warning Signs and Types of Childhood Cancer
In South Africa, an average of 800 to 1000 children are newly diagnosed with cancer each year. Childhood cancers share general symptoms with other illnesses; knowledge about the warning signs can be vital in early detection and treatment.
August is SMA Awareness Month
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic disease that makes the muscles weaker and causes problems with movement. Individuals with SMA have difficulty performing basic functions of life, like…
May is Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic multisystem neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is a gland in your brain which is…
What is Cystic Fibrosis?
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited life-threatening disorder that damages the lungs. It is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over…
What is Mowat-Wilson Syndrome?
Mowat-Wilson Syndrome (MWS) is a rare genetic disorder that may be apparent at birth or later in childhood. It is caused by an abnormality in the ZEB2 gene that is usually the…
23 February – Noonan Syndrome Awareness Day
February is Noonan Syndrome Awareness Month, and 23 February is Noonan Syndrome Awareness Day. Wearing an Awareness Bracelet creates an opportunity to start a conversation and share information about a…
7–11 February 2022 – Feeding Tube Awareness Week
The mission of Feeding Tube Awareness Week is to promote the positive benefits of feeding tubes as life-saving medical interventions. The week also serves to educate the broader public about…
4 February – World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day (WCD) is held annually on the 4th of February. While we live in a time of amazing advancements in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, many of those…
Breast Pain Causes and When to Seek Help
To experience occasional breast pain is common, however, breasts don`t typically hurt. There are various causes of breast pain, also known as mastalgia - which is categorised as cyclical or…
Sarcoma Cancer – Risk Factors, Signs & Symptoms
A brief introduction to Sarcoma Cancer, the risk factors and what signs and symptoms to look out for. This post is purely for general information purposes and by no means replace…
Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Looking out for our friends and loved ones is an important part of preventing suicides. Easy access to mental health treatment can be key to saving the life of someone…
Williams Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, Common Features and Treatment
Williams Syndrome (WS), also known as Williams-Beuren syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder that is present at birth. The condition can affect anybody, and is known to occur equally in…