Join Preserve Our Legacy as we recognize the following health awareness causes during the month of July.
African American Bone Marrow Awareness Month
African American Bone Marrow Awareness Month during July was first voted as a resolution by the United States senate in 2009. It was the effort of John C Frierson of “A Bone Marrow Wish Organization” a friend of Preserve Our Legacy. John started his organization in 2003 after saving the life of a 2 year old African American child. The purpose is to spread awareness to the Black community about joining the registry. This is the cause that started Preserve Our Legacy in 2007 and which we have been dedicated to ever since since.
Cord Blood Awareness Month
Cord Blood Awareness Month is also extremely important to Preserve Our Legacy. Umbilical cord blood is a rich source for stem cells that can be substituted for marrow cells for the treatment of 76 diseases and disorders including Leukemia and Sickle Cell Disease. Expecting mothers have an opportunity to donate or bank their own cord blood. However most expectant mothers are not aware of this and the infrastructure for cord blood donation is inadequate. Therefore most umbilical cords are discarded after birth. Preserve Our Legacy has been running a one-of-a-kind Umbilical Cord Blood Program at Harlem Hospital in New York City since 2010. Cord Blood Awareness is essential for the minority community because of the lack of adult donors as well as the future implications for cord blood treatment.
other recognized health awareness causes this month
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
The US House of Representatives proclaimed July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in 2008, aiming to improve access to mental health treatment and services for multicultural communities through increased public awareness. Since then, individuals and organizations around the country have joined in celebrating the Month and increasing awareness. - National Alliance on Mental Illness
National HIV Awareness Month
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States and every year approximately 50,000 people are newly infected. African Americans remain disproportionately affected by HIV – while they represent approximately 14 percent of the total U.S. population, they account for approximately 44 percent of new HIV Infections. While there have been significant treatment advances in the 30 years since the first cases emerged, HIV is still a significant cause of death in some U.S. populations. In fact, HIV is the third leading cause of death for African Americans aged 35-44 years and the fourth leading cause of death for Latina women in this same age group, according to the most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. -
www.nationalhivawarenessmonth.org.
Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
According to the Arthritis Foundation nearly 300,000 Children Nationwide Have Been Diagnosed with arthritis which affects more children than juvenile diabetes and cystic fibrosis combined. Juvenile arthritis is one of the most common chronic illnesses affecting children yet it is often undetected or misdiagnosed when symptoms first appear. During July we focus on increasing awareness of early signs and symptoms of juvenile arthritis. Joint pain, stiffness and swelling around a joint may be early signs of a serious inflammatory rheumatic disease. Early medical treatment of JA can prevent serious, permanent damage to a child’s joints. There is no known cure however advances in research have produced new treatments that moderate and even stop the effects of juvenile arthritis, preventing significant disability in later years. - Arthritis Foundation
National Fragile X Foundation Awareness Month
The month of July is National Fragile X Awareness Month, to increase awareness and advocacy for Fragile X. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability and the most common known genetic cause of autism. Individuals with FXS can experience developmental delays ranging from mild to severe. Carriers of the Fragile X mutation are at risk of passing it on to their children and developing conditions of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a Parkinson’s-like condition causing tremor, balance and memory problems in adults, and fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI), a condition that can result in premature menopause for women as early as their late teens. - The National Fragile X Foundation
International Group B Strep Awareness Month
Approximately 1 in 4 pregnant women carry GBS, the leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in newborns according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.) GBS can also infect babies during pregnancy and the first few months of life. Not all babies exposed to GBS become infected, but, for those who do, the results can be devastating. GBS can cause babies to be miscarried, stillborn, born prematurely, become very sick, have lifelong handicaps, or die. Fortunately there are many ways to help protect babies from Group B Strep. - http://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/
UV Safety Month
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun are the main cause of skin cancer. UV damage can also cause wrinkles and blotchy skin. The good news? Skin cancer can be prevented! Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to prevent skin cancer. Make a difference: Spread the word about strategies for preventing skin cancer and encourage communities, organizations, families, and individuals to get involved. - Healthfinder.gov
