October Sparks Spotlight Domestic Violence, Bullying Prevention and More

October sparks awareness for Domestic Violence, Bullying Prevention, Drug Safety Education, Breast Cancer and many other important health and social issues that plague our society. It’s also the time for Fall fun activities as apple and pumpkin picking and trick or treating for Halloween.

We spotlight a few key causes and activities below to help kick-start your month and leave you Socially Sparked®!

October sparks for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) which began nationwide in October 1987 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues and raise awareness. Much progress has been made over the last three decades to support domestic violence victims and survivors, to hold abusers accountable, and to create and update legislation to further those goals.

Nearly three out of four Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence. Now is time to take a stand. Make October spark for domestic violence awareness. Support survivors and speak out against domestic violence all month long.

Show your true colors throughout the month of October in blue, purple, orange or pink, to name a few. T-Shirt Days abound this month.

“NO MATTER™ who you are, what you look like, your sexual orientation, your beliefs, we are ALL the same, we are ALL people, NO MATTER™! That means no one should ever be bullied in any way — NO MATTER™! Everyone should be treated with kindness and respect …” — NO MATTER™

The sparks spotlight National Bullying Prevention Month. Sponsored by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, the campaign is held during the month of October and unites communities around the world to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention. This campaign has grown from an initial week-long event in 2006 to a worldwide effort with thousands of individuals participating in various activities throughout the month. There are many ways to show your support and take a stand against bullying:

National Red Ribbon Week is October 23rd thru 31st. Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free™ is this year’s theme; which is is a reminder that everyday Americans across the country make significant daily contributions to their communities by being the best they can be because they live Drug-Free!

The National Family Partnership sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration in 1988. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. As the nation’s largest and oldest drug prevention campaign, Red Ribbon Week® reaches over 80 million people each year.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2022. More than 271,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer every year, and nearly 41,000 die from the disease. Early detection education and support services are key. This annual campaign raises awareness of breast cancer risks, the importance of screening and early detection and treatment options available to women and men who are diagnosed with breast cancer. There are so many ways to support the month. We highlight one specific organization and their program that continues to SPARK breast cancer victims’ and survivors’ lives.

The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks raise awareness and funds to save lives from breast cancer. Each event brings people together to make a difference for everyone who has been touched by breast cancer. The events raise money to fund innovative research, provide free information and support, and to help people reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it’s most treatable.

This year, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer celebrates its 30th anniversary and will take place in more than 150 communities nationwide.  To locate a walk in your area click here

October sparks awareness for many more equally important health and social initiatives than we could highlight in one feature. Here’s a list of the many October Sparks! The opportunities to be an agent of change this month are endless. — We are forever Socially Sparked®! Tweet @sosparkednews

National Liver Cancer Awareness Month
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Energy Awareness Month (Go Green)
Healthy Lungs Month
National Campaign for Healthier Babies Month
National Physical Therapy Month
National Spinal Health Month
Rett Syndrome Awareness Month
National Psoriasis Month
National AIDS Awareness Month
National Dental Hygiene Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Celiac Sprue Awareness Month
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Awareness Month
Eye Injury Prevention Month
National Medical Librarians Month
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Hunger Awareness Month