(Updated July 2022)
AWARENESS MONTH
Cord Blood Awareness Month: Cord blood awareness month raises awareness on the benefits of the blood collected from the umbilical cord and placenta of a newborn baby. The stem cells from cord blood can be used when treating more than 80 diseases and disorders such as blood cancers, aplastic anemia, metabolic-type diseases, and sickle cell disease. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, the donor registry contains about 23 million potential donors, while about 305,000 cord blood units are actually on the donor registry. Some people choose to donate their cord blood while others choose to reserve it in case one of their loved ones may need a specialized transplant. To learn more about Cord Blood Awareness Month and to see if donating or reserving cord blood is an option for you, click here.
GBS Awareness Month: "About 1 in 4 pregnant women "carry" or are "colonized" with group B strep (https://www.groupbstrepinternational.org). July is #GroupBStrep Awareness Month! Not all babies exposed to GBS become infected, but for those who do, the results can be devasting. Spread awareness and help protect babies worldwide! gbs-info.org #GBSAM21 https://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/july_gbs_awareness_month.html
Bereaved Parents Awareness Month: This month honors and recognizes parents and caregivers who have lost a child. In a helpful online article, Handtohold.org has included stories and resources for families who have experienced the loss of a child. For families experiencing early pregnancy or infant loss in the hospital, the Cuddle Cot, a cooling device, can give back the gift of time for parents and families to include photography, keepsakes and more. Recently, a local nurse was able to fundraise enough financial support to gift three Cuddle Cots to various local hospitals. Read more about this story in the local news, here. Bereaved parents and families, we want you to know you are not alone. There are many resources available locally and online.
Please connect with local providers such as bereavement doulas here at CCCN
Attend a support group or seek counseling at Hospice SLO or with local mental health and wellness professionals specializing in loss.
Join an online support group at Postpartum Support International
Read about local doulas who offer bereavement boxes at no charge in past CCCN Blog post
Connect with additional online resources at centralcoastchildbirthnetwork.com
AWARENESS DAYS
July 17th, World Emoji Day: July 17th was chosen as World Emoji Day because this particular day is displayed on the famous calendar emoji 📅. The purpose of World Emoji Day is to promote the use of emojis and spread the enjoyment that they bring to the people around us. Some of the CCCN's favorite emojis include the pregnant emoji 🤰, the parent emojis 👩👦 👨👧, nursing and feeding emojis 🤱🏽👨🍼, and of course the baby emoji 👶! Celebrate World Emoji Day on July 17th by commenting or posting your birth story using emoji with the #WorldEmojiDay on the CCCN's Facebook or Instagram!
July 24th, Parents' Day: The fourth Sunday of July, July 24th, is National Parents' Day! On this day caretakers are recognized for their role in a child's life, celebrated for their teamwork in raising a child, and "supported for their parental guidance in building a strong, stable society" (Parents' Day). Try to spend this July 24th with your parents or someone who was like a parent to you and for those with children, make sure to give yourself a extra pat on the back on July 24th!
July 26th, Aunt and Uncle Day: July 26th is a day to celebrate all of the wonderful Aunts and Uncles in one's life. It is a day to recognize and appreciate the help of extended family in raising a child. Aunts and Uncle hold a special place in our hearts by filling one's life with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. On Monday, July 26th, try to set aside some time to give your sibling a call and thank them for being a helping hand in your parenting journey. You can also call or try and visit one of your Aunts or Uncles and recognize them for their continued support in your life.
Do you know of any other important Awareness days or months for July? Please share in the comments.
Sources:
Authored in collaboration with:
Julianna La Coco, CCCN 2021 Intern and Zabrina Cox, CtP Director