Join the Fight: Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

On   /   Alzheimer's, Awareness Months  

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month: Join Us in Making a Difference

Alzheimer's awareness month - JuneAs we approach Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June, it’s crucial to understand the profound impact of Alzheimer’s disease and related cognitive disorders, and the importance of supporting those affected by it. Did you know that over 55 million people are living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia worldwide? This progressive neurological disorder impairs memory, thinking skills, and daily functioning, presenting significant challenges for patients, caregivers, and families alike.

Why Awareness Matters:

Raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease is crucial for several reasons. It helps promote early detection, facilitates access to vital resources and support services, and fuels ongoing research for effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Additionally, increased awareness helps reduce stigma and misconceptions surrounding Alzheimer’s and related dementias, fostering a more empathetic and supportive community for individuals and families facing these challenges.

Join Our Cause:

You can show your support and advocacy during Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month and beyond by purchasing products from our Alzheimer’s Awareness collection. Our shirts, buttons, magnets, and more feature symbolic purple ribbon designs, sparking conversations and promoting awareness wherever you go.

Make a Difference with Your Purchase:

In line with our commitment to supporting Alzheimer’s causes, a portion of our profits from June will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. Every purchase contributes to our mission of spreading awareness and supporting Alzheimer’s research and care initiatives.

Start Conversations, Make a Difference:

Let’s work together to make a positive impact and create a world where Alzheimer’s disease is understood, prevented, and cured. Join the millions who are going purple this June to show solidarity with those affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Click image below to shop our collection of Alzheimer’s Awareness products and be a part of this important cause. Together, we can make a difference!

Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness T-shirts and Gifts

 

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month

On   /   Awareness Months, Mental Health Awareness  

Break the Stigma, Spread Hope: Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness MonthAs we enter the month of May, it’s essential to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about mental health conditions and reducing the stigma surrounding them. This month serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of mental health and the significance of supporting those who may be struggling.

Mental Health Awareness Month aims to destigmatize conversations around mental health and promote understanding and empathy. It sheds light on the prevalence of mental health conditions globally and encourages individuals to prioritize their mental well-being. The campaign emphasizes that mental health is just as important as physical health and advocates for accessible mental health resources and support networks for all.

In recent years, there has been a positive shift in public attitudes toward mental health, thanks to increased awareness efforts. However, there is still work to be done in challenging misconceptions and ensuring that everyone feels comfortable seeking help when needed. This month provides an opportunity for individuals, communities, and organizations to come together, share stories, and advocate for mental health education and resources. For more information and support, please visit National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Join the Movement: Advocate for Mental Health Support

At Awareness Ribbon Gifts, we’re proud to offer a range of awareness products, including t-shirts, mugs, bags, stickers, and more, with many featuring the green awareness ribbon. By wearing these items during Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond, you’re not only showing solidarity with those struggling, but you’re also sparking important conversations and spreading awareness.

Break the stigma and normalize the practice of taking moments to prioritize mental health care without guilt or shame. Click image below to explore our collection of Mental Health Awareness t-shirts and gifts, and together, let’s make a difference.

Mental Health Awareness T-shirts and Gifts with green awareness ribbons

 

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month

On   /   Awareness Months, Breast Cancer  

Breast Cancer Awareness MonthBreast Cancer is arguably the most commonly known form of cancer. There are foundations upon foundations supporting the cause and boosting awareness around the world, there are products (like the ever-recognizable pink ribbon) that raises awareness and shows support for those dealing with the illness, and even NFL players take their own stand in the fight by donning Pink sweatbands, gloves, and shoes on the field during the month of October. But underneath all of the publicity and outcry for support, and the never-ending search for a cure, there are some absolutely jaw-dropping statistics. Let’s take a look at some of those figures…

Did you know that Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the US? That is just over 12% of the female population in the country! Breast Cancer, whether invasive or non-invasive (We will take a look at the difference between those in a minute…), largely affects women between the ages of 60 and 69, with an absolute risk of 1 in 28 women. While breast cancer rates have decreased drastically since 2000, with the rate dropping 7% between 2000 and 2003 alone, an estimate of 232,340 new invasive breast cancer cases were expected to diagnosed in women in 2013. Invasive Breast Cancer is when the cancer spreads to the normal, healthy tissue, while non-invasive cancer stays within the milk duct and lobules of the breast, and doesn’t invade normal tissues within or beyond the breast.

Some risk factors that you can control to try and dodge breast cancer by acting on are watching your weight and changing your diet (Studies show that consuming more cholesterol-filled foods increase the risk of breast cancer), exercising regularly (It is recommended to engage in 45 to 60 minutes of physical activity 5 or more days a week), watching your alcohol intake, not smoking, exposure to estrogen, recent oral contraceptive use, and stress and anxiety. Some factors that you can’t control are your gender, age, family and personal history of the disease, race, and radiation therapy to the chest.

While some symptoms may be difficult for you to spot on your own, some signs you can watch for are swelling of all or part of the breast, skin irritation, dimpling, pain in your breast, nipple pain (or the nipple turning inward), a nipple discharge other than breast milk, or a lump in the area under your arm (your armpit, if you will). While there are no medically accepted forms of cancer treatment, as with any other type of cancer, Mammograms (x-rays of the breast) are recommended annually, with check ups suggested more often as you increase in age, especially after age 50. This is when routine mammograms should start happening.

Wear the pink ribbon to show support for our mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, friends, and all of the warriors and survivors of Breast Cancer, and remembrance for those who have lost the battle with Breast Cancer. Get our beautiful Breast Cancer pink ribbon designs on shirts, hats, tote bags, necklaces, stickers, and more!

Shop our selection of pink ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness Products

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Lupus Awareness

On   /   Awareness Months, Lupus  

Facts about lupus

May is Lupus Awareness Month, so we would like to share some facts about Lupus. It is estimated that at least five million people are affected by Lupus (or another form of it) worldwide. Systemic Lupus is responsible for 70% of Lupus cases, with half of those cases involving effects to a major organ like the heart and kidneys. Another 10% of cases are Cutaneous Lupus, which only affects the skin.

There is also 10% of Lupus cases where the disease is caused by high medication doses, which is known as drug-induced Lupus.

Symptoms will usually dwindle when medication is discontinued, and similar symptoms are shared by drug-induced Lupus and systemic Lupus. In just about 10 percent of cases, people afflicted with Lupus will have symptoms of other connective tissue diseases. Terms like “overlap syndrome” and “mixed connective tissue disease” has been used in the medical field to describe the disease.

Causes of Lupus are practically unexplainable. There have been no known causes discovered, but Lupus is an autoimmune disease, and could be attributed to genetics, as 20 percent of people will have parents or siblings that will or already have developed Lupus. Also, although Lupus can develop with both males and females, a staggering 90 percent of people diagnosed with Lupus or a form of the disease are women. Most people who will develop Lupus will develop the disease between the ages of 15 and 44. 20 Percent of Lupus patients have had a parent who has Lupus, or have a parent that has the possibility of developing the disease.

While the exact number of cases are difficult to put an exact amount on, as are the fatal cases of the disease, the financial numbers are easier to present. The average annual direct healthcare cost of a Lupus patient in $12,643. It was also estimated that the amount of lost pay as a result of the disease was around $8,659, meaning the total cost of employment age Lupus patients’ total annual cost was roughly $20,924. Two of three Lupus patients were not able to work due to complications with Lupus and thus lost their income.

An LFA (Lupus Foundation of America) survey showed that four out of ten Lupus patients are treated by more than three Doctors, and are taking more than six medications to treat the symptoms of the disease. Another study found that 78% of Lupus patients are coping well with their diagnosis, and that 65% of patients cited pain as the most difficult part of coping with Lupus, while 61% felt that their changes of lifestyle were the hardest part, with 50% stated that the most difficult part of coping was the emotional pain that comes with their diagnosis as their largest obstacle.

Show your support for loved ones living with Lupus by wearing the purple ribbon during awareness month, or anytime! Shop our selection of Lupus Awareness T-shirts and Gifts and help spread awareness!

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Autism Awareness Month

On   /   Autism, Awareness Months  

HAPPY SPRING! The weather is continually getting better, baseball season is here and the community parks are filling up with kids anxious to release their pent up winter energy! April is also Autism awareness month! I would like to take some time to present some information to those who don’t know exactly how many people and families Autism affects.

There really isn’t one known single cause of Autism, but scans of the brain will show differences in shape and structure, so it is generally accepted that it is a brain abnormality, as well as a genetic disorder.

According to the Autism society, the ratio of Autism spectrum disorder births are 1 in 88, with 1 to 1.5 million Americans living with Autism. It is also the fastest-growing developmental disability, with a 1,148% growth rate (Growing 10 to 17 percent annually). The cost of care alone is startling, with an average cost of $3.2 Million per person, with 60% of those costs coming from Adult care services. The overall amount of lifetime care cost could be reduced by 2/3 with an early diagnosis.

It is also estimated that the annual cost to educate a child with Autism is over $18,000. That ‘s nearly three times more than the “regular” education student! And, unfortunately, only 56% of Autistic Students graduate high school.

Though some of us may not be affected by the challenges that autism presents, we can all still help out those who are. By going to the store on this site, you can purchase many items bringing forward awareness of Autism, like Shirts, Coffee Mugs, Hats, Buttons in a plethora of styles! Here are a few of our favorite Autism Awareness Gifts:
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Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

On   /   Awareness Months, Cervical Cancer  
cervical cancer awareness month

Did you know that, according to a study done in 2011 by the ACS, approximately 12,170 women are diagnosed with Cervical Cancer annually, worldwide?

January is Cervical Cancer awareness month. Although we should remain aware of this devastating illness year round, we will use this month specifically to turn the spotlight on the causes, symptoms and prevention of Cervical Cancer. We will also show you ways you can spread the word and show support to those who are coping with the disease.

For those of who are unfamiliar Cervical Cancer, it develops in the tissues of the cervix, and is generally a slow-moving disease. It can go undetected for a period of time, as it may not have any significant outward symptoms. It can be found with a Pap test, which is a procedure responsible for almost a 70% decrease in Cervical Cancer deaths between 1955 and 1992 because of it’s increased utilization, which finds the cancer in it’s most curable early stage.

According to the American Cancer Society, in the US, Hispanic Women are most likely to get Cervical Cancer, with American Indians and Alaska natives having the lowest risk.

We need to bring lots of awareness to this disease, as it is claiming thousands of women a year, worldwide.

For more information on Cervical Cancer and how it affects it’s victims, and treatments, please visit: American Cancer Society – Cervical Cancer

Wear the teal and white ribbon apparel to show support for those suffering from Cervical Cancer. Check out a few of our favorite designs below, or shop our full selection of Cervical Cancer Awareness Gifts


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Support Thyroid Disease Awareness in January

On   /   Awareness Months, Thyroid Disease  
Thyroid disease awareness

This month is Thyroid Awareness Month and besides the fact that drawing awareness to a disease that effects well over 30 million Americans, it is also very important to bring more attention to this subject for the fact that thyroid disease is more often than not, untested for, misdiagnosed or even overlooked all together. The campaign to help bring awareness to this disease was brought about to not only bring attention to the matter, but to also help those who have been diagnosed and to make sure others who may not be, to get themselves tested and help them find out how to treat it.

Thyroid disease is most often caused by autoimmune disease and can affect men, women and children (however, women are 7 times as likely to be diagnosed with the disorder). Thyroid disease is typically broken down into two categories (when diagnosed properly), one being Hypothyroidism (also know as underactive thyroid) and the other being Hyperthyroidism (also known as overactive thyroid). However, Thyroid disease can also be thyroid cancer, thyroid adenoma and even on rare occasions can be lymphomas or metastasis. This disease can be an actual cause of weight gain and difficulty losing weight (or even to the other extreme of weight loss), high cholesterol, depression and loss of hair, and can be the reasons for infertility, miscarriage, breast feeding problems and other menstrual issues for women.

So during this month, whether you are showing support for a friend, a family member or helping your own cause by bringing awareness, you can wear these light blue ribbon products with pride. Help bring awareness by wearing the light blue ribbon on a button, t-shirt, sticker, hoodie or by carrying a key chain, drinking from a mug or through many of the other products.

Here are a few of our favorite products below. Shop our full selection of Thyroid Disease Awareness Products



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Thyroid Awareness Month

On   /   Awareness Months, Thyroid Disease  
Thyroid awareness month

Hi All! Welcome to 2013! Hope the new year is treating you well so far! Well, it’s January. The Holidays are over, the decorations are coming down, and we are easing back into our everyday routines. School will start up again soon and work vacations are coming to a close.

With this first month on the calendar comes a clean slate, and a chance to make changes in the coming year. One good way to make a change is to spread awareness, and learn about serious issues that effect individuals across the globe, with the following information hitting close to home for us, as our Mother still struggles with thyroid issues, as did her Mother before her. January gives us such an opportunity, as it is Thyroid Awareness Month.

“What exactly is Thyroidism?”, you ask? Although Thyroidism may not seem to be a “prominent” disease like Cancer or Diabetes, it effects over 200 Million of People worldwide, and roughly half of that number are still undiagnosed. For those who are unfamiliar with it, Thyroid is an auto-immune disease with two extremes – Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism and it’s symptoms are caused by overproduction of Thyroid hormones, but can have several different outcomes, including:

  • Graves Disease – Production of too much thyroid hormone
  • Toxic adenomas – Aggravating your body’s chemical balance as a result of nodules that developed in the thyroid gland
  • Subacute thyroiditis – Temporary hyperthyroidism, generally lasting a few weeks, caused by a “leak” of excess hormones as a result of inflammation in the thyroid gland

    • Hyperthyroidism can also, although rarely, be caused by malfunctions in the pituitary gland and cancerous growths in the thyroid gland. If left undiagnosed, this illness can lead to heart attacks (as a result of consistently rapid heartbeat), high blood pressure, intolerance to heat, fatigue, hair loss, brittle hair and nails and excessive weight loss.

    The other extreme of thyroidism is Hypothyroidism, which is caused by underproduction of thyroid hormones, which causes your energy level to drop. This too can have several results in outcome, including:

  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – Thyroid tissue is attacked by your body, which causes the tissue to eventually die and stop production of hormones.
  • Removal of the thyroid gland – Either surgically removed or chemically destroyed, i.e. radioactive iodine.
  • Exposure to excessive amounts of iodide – This includes cold and sinus medicines, the heart medicine amiodarone, or contrast dyes given before some X-rays. these substances may expose you to too much iodine.
  • Lithium – This drug is also linked to causing hypothyroidism.

    If untreated for an extended period of time, hypothyroidism could also result in a myxadema coma, a rare condition that requires immediate hormone injections, but has the potential to be fatal. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include intolerance to cold, dry skin, fatigue, joint pain and excessive weight gain.

    Hypothyroidism also poses a danger to newborns and infants (A lack of thyroid hormones in the system at an early age can lead to the development of cretinism, a form of mental retardation, as well as stunted growth, known as dwarfism). Likewise to adults, hypothyroidism in infants can be caused by a pituitary disorder, a defective thyroid or lack of the gland entirely. *Most states require immediate testing of infants.

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