Undiagnosed Children's Awareness Day

Organisation: Syndromes without a name (SWAN) Inc

According to current estimates, 1 in 20 children are born with a genetic disorder, yet we only hear about the most common syndromes, or the ones that receive the most funding or have the biggest lobby groups. Of those children who present to geneticists with syndromic features, 60% may not ever receive a diagnosis.

Location: National

Website: swanaus.org.au/undiagnosed_childerens_awareness_day//

World Heritage Day

World Heritage Day is an opportunity to appreciate heritage monuments and sites for the international community. The day offers an opportunity to raise the public's awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage and the efforts that are required to protect and conserve it, as well as draw attention to its vulnerability.

Website: www.gdrc.org/heritage/world-heritage-day.html

The National Trust Heritage Festival

Organisation: The National Trust

Celebrate our nation's multicultural makeup with 1500 events across Australia during April.

Website: www.nationaltrustfestival.org.au/

Earth Day

Organisation: Earth Day Network

Earth Day is a celebration of the environment we all share. It also acts as a day of conservation awareness.

Website: www.earthday.org

World Creativity & Innovation Day

Each year International Creativity and Innovation Day is a celebration of new ideas, imagination and anything that has made the world a better place.

Location: International

Website: www.un.org/en/observances/creativity-and-innovation-day

International Mother Earth Day

Organisation: United Nations

The proclamation of 22 April as International Mother Earth Day is an acknowledgement that the Earth and its ecosystems provide its inhabitants with life and sustenance. It also recognizes a collective responsibility, as called for in the 1992 Rio Declaration, to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity.

Website: www.un.org/en/observances/earth-day

World Book and Copyright Day

Organisation: United Nations

Celebrated on a day when many great authors have died, including Shakespeare, World Book and Copyright Day is a world-wide tribute to books and authors. It also encourages people to discover or rediscover the pleasure of reading.

Website: www.un.org/en/observances/book-and-copyright-day

World YWCA Day

Organisation: YWCA Victoria

The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) celebrates women's leadership and acknowledge their own part in a global movement of women working for justice, peace, health, human dignity, freedom and care for the environment.

Website: www.ywca.org.au/news/its-world-ywca-day/

Nature Play Week

Organisation: Kids in Nature Network

Nature Play Week celebrates initiatives of all shapes and sizes that reconnect kids with nature and the outdoors. The week is filled with over 40 Nature Play experiences for kids and their families facilitated by dozens of wonderful local organisations, parents and schools across Victoria, and beyond.

Website: natureplayweek.org.au/

World Malaria Day

Organisation: United Nations

World Malaria Day - which was instituted by the World Health Assembly at its 60th session in May 2007 - is a day for recognizing the global effort to provide effective control of malaria. It is an opportunity:

Location: International

Website: www.worldmalariaday.org/

World Penguin Day

A celebration of one of the world's most beloved creatures and a call to action for their conservation.

Location: International

Website: www.asoc.org/advocacy/antarctic-wildlife-conservation/penguins/1189

Anzac Day

ANZAC Day is more than a commemoration of the day ANZAC troops landed on the beach at Gallipoli in 1915, it is a day of remembrance for all Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Heart Week

Organisation: Heart Foundation

Each year the Heart Foundation uses Heart Week as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the problem of heart disease and to help improve the heart health of all Australians.

Location: National

Website: www.heartfoundation.org.au

World Intellectual Property Day

Organisation: United Nations

World Intellectual Property Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of how patents, copyright, trademarks and designs impact daily life. It also aims to increase understanding of how intellectual property protection helps promote creativity and innovation.

Website: www.wipo.int/ip-outreach/en/ipday/

World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Organisation: United Nations

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work. It is held on 28 April and has been observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003. 28 April has also for long been associated with the world's trade union movement's commemoration of the victims of occupational accidents and diseases.

Website: www.un.org/en/observances/work-safety-day

Pay it Forward Day

Based on a concept from a Catherine Ryan Hyde novel, Pay It Forward Day urges people around the world to commit random acts of kindness. It is a day to do good deeds, and instruct the recipient of your good deed to 'pay it forward', and return the good deed to another person.

Website: payitforwardday.com/

International Guide Dog Day

Organisation: Guide Dogs Victoria

International Guide Dog Day is a day to celebrate the important role that guide dogs play in helping the blind and vision impaired enjoy safe and independent travel.

Website: guidedogs.com.au/

International Jazz Day

Organisation: United Nations

In November 2011, the UNESCO General Conference proclaimed 30 April as "International Jazz Day". The Day is intended to raise awareness in the international community of the virtues of jazz as an educational tool, and a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people. Many governments, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and private citizens currently engaged in the promotion of jazz music will embrace the opportunity to foster greater appreciation not only for the music but also for the contribution it can make to building more inclusive societies.

Location: International

Website: jazzday.com/

Play Outside Day

Organisation: Australian Conservation Foundation

Many of us don't get out into nature much. We're too busy, plugged in to screens and rushing through our busy lives. But nature is crucial to our health and wellbeing - and to the health of our planet. Nature is our life support system. It underpins our communities, our economy and our livelihoods. We all need clean air and healthy rivers, yet our politicians seem determined to exploit and damage the environment. But when nature is diminished, so are we. That's why we're holding Play Outside Day. Let's reclaim nature and grow our connection with each other and the places we love!

Location: National

Website: playoutsideday.org/

We'll Make a Change

Organisation: CPL - Choice, Passion Life

The We'll Make A Change Trek will see you and your team choose one of two distances - 9km or 17km - and trek through Brisbane's beautiful D'Aguilar National Park.

Website: www.cpl.org.au/WMAC

Beltane

Beltane was a traditional Gaelic harvest festival, and was popularised as the 'Celtic new year.' It traditionally marked the beginning of summer.

Location: International

Kiss Goodbye to MS

Organisation: MS Australia

Wear red lipstick and help kiss goodbe to MS. </p> Throughout May you can get involved in Kiss Goodbye to MS events and activities taking place across the country. By taking part you will be helping support people with MS through funding vital research into the cause, cure and better treatments for the disease. Our vision is to create a world free of MS.

Website: www.kissgoodbyetoms.org

Sydney to Surfers

Organisation: Rotary Club of Engadine

Sydney to Surfers Charity Ride - raising much needed funds for Father Chris Riley's Youth off the Streets.

Location: National

Website: www.sydneytosurfers.org.au/

National Youth Week

National Youth Week is an annual, weeklong celebration of young people (12 to 25) throughout Australia. National Youth Week encourages youths to share ideas, attend events, discuss youth issues, showcase their talents and even have a bit of fun.

Website: www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/campaigns/national-youth-week

IAIM One-in-Five Challenge

Organisation: International Association of Infant Massage

One in Five... is the number of Australian two-year olds who have already developed identifiable, clinical and serious indicators of mental health difficulties. That's around 200,000 babies and young toddlers every year who are facing mental health issues, before even starting pre-school. The IAIM invite you to participate in the One-in-Five Challenge to help reduce this number, and to give all babies and children a better shot at life-long mental health.

Website: oneinfive.com.au/

Mindful in May

Organisation: Mindful in May

Mindful in May brings the benefits of meditation together with an opportunity to help bring clean water to those living in the developing world. Your donation and fundraising will be used by Charity Water in its mission to solve the water crisis. When you register and donate, you'll receive a one-moth meditation program.

Location: National

Website: www.mindfulinmay.org

Ehlers-Danlos Awareness Month

Organisation: The Ehlers-Danlos Society

The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are a collection of thirteen multi-systemic, heritable disorders affecting connective tissue, the most abundant tissues in the body. With the exception of the hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, each type is a distinct entity defined by mutations in a single or small set of genes. Common features among the types include joint hypermobility, skin fragility, chronic pain, and fatigue. More severe types, such as Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, can be life-threatening, as fragile blood vessels and internal organs can spontaneously rupture. For more information, go to ehlers-danlos.com

Website: ehlers-danlos.com

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month is held during May each year to raise community awareness and promote a clear message that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated in our communities.

Location: National

Website: www.domesticviolence.com.au/pages/domestic-violence-prevention-month-1st-31st-may-20.php

Dine With Heart Month

Organisation: Sacred Heart Mission

<b>EAT GOOD. DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD.</b> Victoria's homelessness crisis now affects almost 23,000 people. Throughout May, participating restaurants, cafes and bars join will forces with diners to raise money to support Sacred Heart Mission's Meals Program, which provides hearty, free meals every day for up to 400 people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage and social isolation.

Location: National

Website: sacredheartmission.org/

65 Roses

Organisation: Cystic Fibrosis Federation Australia

The National Cystic Fibrosis 65 Roses Campaign is hosted during the month of May. Each year the National Office in conjunction with its State and Territory associations host many awareness initiatives and fundraising events through May. For the last couple of years we have encouraged people to participate in a challenge themed around the number 65. Supporters have embraced this concept with many wonderful ideas for challenges.

Website: www.65roses.org.au/

Art for Epilepsy

Organisation: Epilepsy Action Australia

Art for Epilepsy brings together the talented Australian artists in support of those impacted by epilepsy in an online auction. A broad range of artists take part to provide something to suit all tastes and budgets. Each work contains the colour purple, the internationally recognised colour for epilepsy, and are auctioned off through our website. Grab yourself an original piece of art for a great cause!

Location: National

Website: www.epilepsy.org.au/donate/

Miracle Month of May

Organisation: Miracle Babies Foundation

To raise awareness and funds for premature and sick newborns, their families and the hospitals that care for them.

Location: National

Website: www.miraclebabies.org.au

International Respect for Chickens Month

Organisation: United Poultry Concerns

May is International Respect for Chickens Month celebrating chickens and protesting the bleakness of their lives in farming operations.

Location: International

Website: www.upc-online.org/respect/

Mercy May

Organisation: Mercy Ships Australia

This May, join with Mercy Ships to help women in Africa by hosting a Mercy May event. Helping is easier than you think! Just get your friends together for a good time and raise money for a great cause in the process. There are so many ideas for the kind of Mercy May event you can hold. All you have to do is pick one.

Website: www.mercyships.org.au

Crohns & Colitis Awareness Month

Organisation: Crohn's and Colitis Australia (CCA)

Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month aims to bring attention to Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome, which affects more than 5 million people.

Website: www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au

Supermarket Free Month

Go Supermarket Free this Mayl to support local business, farmers and suppliers. Change your habits and buy local!

Location: National

Website: supermarketfree.com.au/

Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month

Organisation: Prader-Willi Syndrome Association Victoria

Prader-Willi syndrome is a lifelong condition and although lots of research is being carried out, to date there is no cure. There are no known reasons for the genetic accident that causes this condition, but we are learning more about PWS everyday, and there is hope. Hope that, through increased knowledge, we can help all people with this condition to live a fuller life despite their limitations. <p>Throughout May, we aim to raise awareness of Prader-Willi Syndrome to help boost the possibility of finding a cure.

Location: International

Website: www.pws.asn.au/index.html

Phone: 0451 797 284

Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month

The aim of Neurofibromatosis Month is to provide information to the community and to healthcare and educational professionals, so that they will better understand what Neurofibromatosis (NF) is. This will enable them to accept and provide support to those affected by NF.

Website: www.ctf.org/news/may-is-neurofibromatosis-awareness-month-for-1-in-3000-people-worldwide

The Bloody Long Walk

Organisation: Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation

A 35km challenge in Melbourne to raise funds to find a cure for Mitochondrial disease (mito) - a debilitating genetic disorder that robs the body's cells of energy, causing multiple organ dysfunction or failure and potentially death.

Location: National

Website: www.bloodylongwalk.com.au/lp/melbourne/

Starlight Day

Organisation: Starlight Children's Foundation

Since being formed as an Australian children's charity in 1988, the Starlight Children's Foundation has brightened the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children, and their families, throughout Australia. On May 2, Starlight need your help to raise money for sick kids.

Website: www.starlightday.org.au

International Composting Awareness Week

Organisation: Centre for Organic & Resource Enterprises (CORE)

International Composting Awareness Week is a week of activities, events and publicity to improve awareness about the importance of this valuable organic resource and to promote compost use, knowledge and products.

Location: International

Website: www.compostweek.com.au/core/

Motherless Daughters Awareness Week

Organisation: Motherless Daughters Australia

Motherloss Awareness Week will run from 2-8 May, 2021 dedicated to recognising and acknowledging the impact of mother loss and raising awareness that Motherless Daughters Australia exists as a support network. <p>Motherless Daughters Australia is a national not for profit organisation that represents, informs, supports and connects women and girls whose mothers have died, to help navigate the everyday and life's key milestones.

Website: www.motherlessdaughters.com.au/

World Press Freedom Day

Organisation: United Nations

World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity to: <ul> <li>celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom;</li> <li>assess the state of press freedom throughout the world;</li> <li>defend the media from attacks on their independence;</li> <li>pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.</li></ul>

Location: International

Website: www.un.org/en/events/pressfreedomday/

Ride to Cure Diabetes

Organisation: JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)

The Ride to Cure Diabetes creates a great opportunity to raise awareness and funds for type 1 diabetes. Held in the Barossa Valley, Riders choose to challenge themselves on one of three professionally run courses of 35km, 80km or 160km. Some people come for the day while others stay for the weekend commemorating their great achievements with superb food and wine and fantastic accommodation.

Location: SA

Website: jdrf.org.au/?s=Ride+to+Cure+Diabetes

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week

Organisation: The Chase and Tyler Foundation

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is Australia's national awareness week dedicated to raising consumer awareness on gas and fuel-burning appliance safety and preventative methods people can use to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. With numerous stakeholders coming together for this year's CO Awareness Week, the message about the dangers of CO will again be heard again throughout Australia via a range of events, media and other distribution channels. The Chase and Tyler Foundation is a not-for-profit charity that raises awareness on gas and fuel-burning appliance safety, carbon monoxide poisoning prevention and energy poverty. We do this via education, awareness, advocacy, research and services.

Location: National

Website: www.chaseandtyler.org.au

UN Global Road Safety Week

Organisation: United Nations

Particularly targeted at young drivers, Road Safety Week aims to increase awareness of the dangers present on the roads.

Location: International

Website: www.unroadsafetyweek.org/en/about

National Family Day Care Week

Organisation: Family Day Care Australia

National Family Day Care Week offers a chance for the family day care sector to unite and celebrate the amazing work of educators and approved services in shaping the lives of more than 142,400 children around the country.

Location: National

Website: www.fdcweek.com.au/

International Star Wars Day

May 4 is called Star Wars Day because of the popularity of a common pun spoken on this day. Since the phrase "May the Force be with you" is a famous quote often spoken in the Star Wars films, fans commonly say "May the fourth be with you" on this day.

Location: International

Website: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Day

International Respect for Chickens Day

They are the closest living relative of the tyrannosaurus rex and they outnumber humans on this earth by more than 6 to 1. Yet for the 43 billion chickens on this planet, so few are ever seen. Described as inquisitive, intelligent, affectionate and fun loving, these creatures have their special day on May 4th, which is International Respect for Chickens Day!

Location: International

Website: www.makeitpossible.com/facts/what-is-factory-farming.php#chickens

World Asthma Day

Organisation: National Asthma Council Australia

World Asthma Day (WAD) takes place each year on the first Tuesday in May. Initiated by the Global Initiative for Asthma in 1998, the National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) embraces WAD and marks the occasion to highlight the need for ongoing care and vigilance in managing asthma.

Location: International

Website: www.nationalasthma.org.au/

International Midwives Day

May 5 is the International Day of the Midwife. The aim of the day is to celebrate the importance of midwifery.

Location: International

Website: www.midwives.org.au/

Shine a Light on Road Safety

Organisation: Road Trauma Support Services

Victorian drivers are being urged to turn on their headlights as a simple, free and highly visible gesture, to remember those impacted by road trauma and show their commitment to road safety.

Location: VIC

Website: www.rtssv.org.au

Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week

Organisation: Tourette Syndrome Association of Vic.

The aim of Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week is to spread knowledge of what Tourettes is, as well as ask for understanding and acceptance in the community and to undo the social stigma created by misinformation.

Location: National

Website: www.tourette.org.au/index.php

International No Diet Day

Organisation: Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria Inc.

International No Diet Day (INDD) celebrates body acceptance and diversity. It encourages everyone to have a healthy and balanced relationship with food, exercise and their body, no matter what size or shape they are.

Location: International

Website: www.eatingdisorders.org.au/

National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day

National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day is a day to remember those who have died and the ones left behind due to domestic and family violence.

Location: National

International Tell Your Crush Day

International Tell Your Crush Day was hatched out of a simple and honest desire to see more people be open and honest about the world around them.

Location: International

Website: getyourcrushon.wordpress.com/

Vesak - Festival of Light

Organisation: The Great Stupa Bendigo

Millions of Buddhists celebrate Vesak Day, an officially recognised United Nations (UN) holiday that celebrates the birth of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.

Website: www.stupa.org.au

World Red Cross Day

Organisation: Australian Red Cross

Celebrated on the day the Red Cross founder, Henry Dunant (1828-1910), was born World Red Cross Day celebrates the important work done by the staff and volunteers of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movements.

Location: International

Website: www.redcross.org.au/

National Amyloidosis Day

Organisation: Adam Gardiner Fund Inc

National Amyloidosis Day intends to raise funds and awareness for Amyloidosis. Amyloidosis is a group of diseases in which abnormal protein, known as amyloid fibrils, builds up in tissue.

Website: www.agf.org.au

White Shirt Day

Organisation: Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation

Ovarian cancer is an insidious disease, often known as a "silent-killer" as symptoms are vague and often strike without warning. By wearing a white shirt or t-shirt on this day you will be showing your support for women and their families impacted by ovarian cancer along with the OCRF's vital research.

Location: National

Website: www.whiteshirtcampaign.com.au/

International Thalassaemia Day

Organisation: Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Australia

Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder in which inadequate or abnormal haemoglobin is produced. Patients with this condition suffer from anaemia amongst other complications due to inadequate red blood cells. International Thalassaemia Day is celebrated every year to commemorate patients who are no longer with us as well as raise awareness of the condition to improve patient care and research.

Location: International

Website: www.tasca.org.au

Phone: 03 9888 2211

Address: 333 Waverley Road MT WAVERLEY VIC 3149

Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War

Organisation: United Nations

An international time to remember those all those who lost their lives during the Second World War, regardless of what side they fought on.

Location: International

Website: www.un.org/en/observances/second-world-war-remembrance-days

Mothers Day Classic

Organisation: National Breast Cancer Foundation

An annual tradition, the Mother's Day Classic fun run and walk provides the community with a great way to celebrate Mother's Day and raise funds for breast cancer research.

Location: National

Website: www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/

Phone: 03 8677 3849

Mother's Day

Mothers Day is the annual celebration of mothers and the hard work they do.

Location: International

World Lupus Day

Organisation: International Lupus Congress

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that may cause abnormalities in the function and structure of such vital organs as kidney, brain, lungs etc. World Lupus Day raises awareness about this disease.

Location: International

Website: www.worldlupusday.org/

World Migratory Bird Day

Organisation: United Nations

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) was initiated in 2006 and is a global awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. On the second weekend each May, people around the world take action and organise public events such as bird festivals, education programmes and birdwatching excursions to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and to help raise awareness around a specific theme.

Location: International

Website: www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/

International Nurses Day

Every year International Nurses Day is celebrated on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth. It is a day to celebrate the role nurses play in the care of their communities.

Location: International

Website: www.australianvolunteers.com/

International Awareness Day

May 12th has been designated as International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) since 1992. The diseases included in CIND include Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Fibromyalgia (FM), Gulf War Syndrome(GWS) and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) May 12th was chosen as it is the birthday of Florence Nightingale. She was believed to have suffered from ME/CFS.

Location: International

Missing Orangutan Mothers

Organisation: Orangutan Outreach

Orangutan mothers and babies have an incredibly close relationship. Baby orangutans don't have a support network around to give them the many lessons of finding food, building nests and other survival skills. Because of the growing demand for palm oil, though, more and more orangutan mothers are being killed every year on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.

Website: redapes.org/?s=Missing+Orangutan+Mothers&submit=Search

Eid al Fitr (Islam)

During the month of Ramadan Eid al-Fitr is a time of charitable giving, peace-making and spiritual renewal.

Location: International

National Community Language School Day

Organisation: Community Languages Australia

<p> National Community Language School Day promotes the work of community language schools and importance of language education by sharing activities with the local community. Whilst the Day itself is May 18, 2019 school can work around this date a week before a week later <p> National Community Language School Day is an iniative by Community Languages Australia that represents all community language school state and territory federations and associations at a national level.

Website: www.communitylanguagesaustralia.org.au/news/2019/05/national-community-language-schools-day--3rd-saturday-in-may-each-year

Address: L2, 189 Faraday St, CARLTON VIC 3053

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Global Awareness Day

Organisation: Tuberous Sclerosis Australia

On May 15 each year, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Global Awareness Day is celebrated around the country and the global. Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a devastating rare disease that affects more than 2000 individuals in Australia and thousands more carers, families and friends who live with the impact of the disease.

Location: National

Website: tsa.org.au

Phone: 1300 733 435

Address: 18 Central Rd BEVERLY HILLS NSW 2209

International Day of Families

Organisation: United Nations

The International Day of Families is an opporunity to raise awareness of issues relating to families in the international community.

Location: International

Website: www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families

Myopia Awareness Week

Organisation: Brien Holden Vision Institute

The aims of Myopia Awareness week are: <ol><li>To raise awareness in the Australian community about myopia</li> <li>To highlight the critical role optometrists play in changing the way we think and treat myopia</li> <li>To encourage the new standards of care (myopia control and management) to be adopted by optometrists.

Website: myopiamovement.com/

National Families Week

Organisation: Families Australia

National Families Week is a time to celebrate with your immediate family, make contact with your extended family and friends and share in the enjoyment of family activities within the wider community. It is a time to celebrate the meaning of family and to make the most of family time.

Location: National

Website: www.nfw.org.au