[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4710″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]October sparks shine on Domestic Violence, Bullying Prevention, Breast Cancer plus 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.

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

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4711″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]October sparks shine on Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), now celebrating its 30th anniversary. DVAM launched nationwide in October 1987 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues and raise awareness for those issues. Over the last three decades, much progress has been made to support domestic violence victims and survivors, to hold abusers accountable, and to create and update legislation to further those goals. There are several ways to get involved, honor and support the month. Here are a few:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_message icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-asterisk”]Join the conversation through social media. Honor the accomplishments made and show your support for victims and survivors by joining the voice of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). Use the hashtag #DVAMTurns30.

[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_message icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-asterisk”]Take part in The National Week of Action, October 15 through 21, 2017. Join the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) during the week. Activities range from Conversation Sunday to Twitter Chat Tuesday to #Purple Thursday — Wear Purple on October 19th!

[/vc_message][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”A Multi-Colored Month”][vc_column_text]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.

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“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™

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]October sparks shine on 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:

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October 2nd is World Bullying Prevention Day & Blue Shirt Day. GO BLUE on October 2nd to help “Change the Culture” and Stomp Out Bullying. Blue Shirt Day is sponsored by the Stomp Out Bullying Organization.
[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_message icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-asterisk”]October 25th is Unity Day! Wear and Share Orange! Make it Orange and Make it End. Unity Day is sponsored by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. Come together in one giant message of hope and support, wear and share orange to color our nation, and even the world, visibly showing that our society believes that no child should be bullied.

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2017. More than 249,000 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.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]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. To locate a walk in your area click here

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_message icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-asterisk”]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. To locate a walk in your area click here

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Talk About Your Medicine’s Month (TAYMM) is an annual October campaign. Now in its 32nd year, The National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) brings us this important awareness initative.

The opioid abuse crisis is at epidemic proportions in this country, to the point where President Trump is considering declaring it a national emergency. For 2017, NCPIE is spotlighting a critically important medicine safe use issue as the focus of its Talk About Your Medicines Month: Think Before You Drink—sometimes, alcohol and medicines don’t mix.  And this can be especially so for America’s aging Baby Boomers and older adults. Learn more at TAYMM

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A list of additional and equally important health and social initiatives that October sparks shine on is below. The opportunities to be an agent of change this month are endless. — Abbe is SOCIALLY SPARKED Tweet @sosparkednews & @asparks01

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

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