Happy October Awareness Month Cleveland! Today is the first day of one of my personal favorite months of the year. The leaves are turning, the weather is cooling down (hopefully not too much), and tis’ the season for pumpkin flavored everything! But one thing some people may not be aware of, is October is also a month full of awareness. I am going to give you a list of key diseases and issues you should know about.
There are so many different conditions/diseases that need recognition and October has quite a few of those. This month is AIDS awareness month. The color to wear for this will be red. Here’s some information on AIDS for those who are not that familiar:
AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. AIDS ultimately stems from HIV, which can be spread through contact with blood, semen, and even breast milk. Soon after infection with HIV, many people have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, or rash. The symptoms may come and go for a month or two after infection. Without treatment, HIV can advance to AIDS. The time it takes for HIV to advance to AIDS varies, but it can take 10 years or more. This epidemic is one that has swept the nation, but by joining together, we can all help raise awareness to this issue and many more!
October happens to also be Breast Cancer awareness month! While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. Some facts to know and reference include:
- One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
- Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
- Breast Cancer is the second leading cause in death among women.
There is good news though. Death rates from this type of cancer has been declining since 1990! If anything seems odd, if there is a history of breast cancer in your family, it is in your best interest to get checked and tested. There are many walks and organizations to participate in to help women become more educated on this. Pink is the color to sport to show your support!
Bullying has become a larger issue as the years have gone by, especially with the advance in social media platforms. Many children, teens, and young adults often find themselves victimized at one point or another in their lives. I know first hand what bullying is like, I was a victim of it throughout middle school and high school. I leaned on my family and my faith during that time.
This month is also bullying prevention month, and we as a Community and City should come together to try to help put an end to the problem. The number of suicides is also growing, as many see no way out. We featured a story on a young Cleveland boy Tyree Black, who sadly committed suicide. The power of love and faith was present, and frankly, very moving. This is why we need to band together and make a difference! Verbal harassment is the most common form of bullying, but it can take on other forms, like physical and emotional. As social media continues to rise, the number of victims sadly does as well. This is an issue we can join together to stop! Wear blue to show your support!
The aftermath of the Ray Rice video of him physically attacking his then fiance is shocking and disturbing. Many people find themselves face to face with domestic violence, and many of those people tragically fall victim to it. October is Domestic Violence awareness month! There will be a sea of purple, as many gather to help put an end to this un-settling tactic. Domestic violence thrives when we are silent; but if we take a stand and work together, we can end domestic violence! Never be afraid to make a statement, if you or someone you know has been affected.
Sport your blue and yellow for Down Syndrome this month! Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. One in every 691 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome. Here are some more facts:
– People with Down syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer’s disease, childhood leukemia, and thyroid conditions.
–A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm.
The amount of people wanting to get involved to show love and support has steadily risen throughout the generations!
Ciao! It is now Italian-American Heritage Month! I personally am partial to this, since I am 100% Italian after-all! It is the 15th anniversary for Italian-American Heritage month. Coinciding with the festivities surrounding Columbus Day, the proclamation is recognition of the many achievements, contributions, and successes of Americans of Italian descent as well as Italians in America.
The mission of the Italian-American Heritage committee is simple: to promote events and activities throughout the month, to give more valuable information about Italy. The Annual Italian-American Heritage month awards celebration will take place Monday, October 6th, at the City Hall Rotunda. Of course, we here at TV20 will be there! For more information you can visit: http://www.italianheritagemonth.com/
Purple is for Lupus! The immune system is designed to attack foreign substances in the body. If you have lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system and it attacks healthy cells and tissues. This can damage many parts of the body such as the brain, kidneys, heart, lungs, and skin.
Lupus is more common in women than in men. Lupus is also more common in women of African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent than in Caucasian women. Some symptoms of Lupus include: fever with no known cause, pain or swelling in the joints, muscle pain, chest pain while taking a deep breath, and more. If you or someone you know may have these symptoms, go to your physician for an accurate diagnosis.
The TV20 family and I will be sporting different colors each week, ones in which I listed here, to show how we plan to rally together to raise awareness!
