Good to be aware of information days.

I am always amazed at the large amount of awareness days and weeks that pop up on the annual calendar. Some are established and have significant budget behind them while some appear very opportunistic. In general they are designed to create a focus point for national debate and in general use a combination of the different marketing disciplines from advertising, public relations, direct marketing and promotions. Surveys, case studies, events, awards, conferences, shows, debates, article placement, photo calls are all the regular fare as a week is a long time to fill. One of the things I have always found difficult is trying to avoid conflict with the other awareness days. Repak Recycling Week frequently clashed with Energy Awareness Week and Fire Safety Week. Trying to find a definitive list has always been a challenge as some appear to have short led cycles but more are annual. In light of this I have put together a list of the ones I know about. I am sure I have missed loads and will update as I go.

September and October are the busiest months.

National Awareness Days and Weeks

January.

• Acupuncture Awareness Week, 18-22nd January 2010
• Depression Awareness Week (Dawn), January 18th
• Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, January 24th to 30th

February

• Hearing Awareness Week, 1-7th February 2010
• Engineers Week 2010, 8th-13th February,
• National Employment Week, 21st-25th February 2011
• Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2010 22nd-26th February
• Islamic Awareness Week, 26th February 2010,

March

• National Tree Week 7th-13th March 2010,
• Organ Donation Week 27th – April 3rd March
• e-Skills Week 1-5th March
• Literary Ireland Week, 7-13th March
• National Brain Awareness Week, 8-14th March

April

• Gay Awareness Week April
• Tick Awareness Week 12th-18th April,

May

• Mental Health Awareness Week, 10 May 2010
• National Walk to School Week, May 16th – 20th
• Social Inclusion Week, 17-21st May
• Biodiversity Week 21st to 30th May 2010,
• Fisheries Awareness Week, 22nd – 30th May,
• Say No To Ageism Week 2010, 24- 30 May 2010,
• Yoga Awareness Week 15-22 May

June

• Haemochromatosis Awareness Day on Thursday June 2nd 2011
• Listowel Writers’ Week, 1-5th June,
• National Spray Week 30th May to 6th June 2010
• Bike Week, 13 – 20th June
• National Water Safety Awareness Week 26th May – 2nd June
• National Myeloma Awareness Week, 21-25th June
• MND Awareness Week, 21-27 June 2010,
• Level Crossing Safety Awareness Week 21st – 28th June,

August

• National Heritage Week, 21st – 29th August 2010

September

• Suicide Prevention Day 3-10th September 2010
• National Adult Literacy Awareness Week 6-10th September
• National Savings Week 6th -11th September
• National Organic Week: September 13-19 2010,
• National Eczema Week 19-25th September
• National Meningitis Awareness Week. 20 September
• NCP Health Awareness Week, 20th September -1st October 2010
• ADHD Awareness Week 20-25th September 2010
• AMD or Age-related Macular Degeneration, 21-27th September 2010,
• National Picnic Day 26th September  2010.
• Active Citizenship Week, 27th September,

October

• National Breastfeeding Week – 1-7 October
• National Volunteer Day 1st October
• National Trails Day 3rd October 2010
• Repak Recycling Week 4th -10th  October 10th
• Pink Ribbon Day, 8th October
• Simon Week 2010, 4th to 10th of October,
• Fire Safety Week 5th – 12thOctober
• National Parents Week 2010 11th – 17th October 2010
• Maths week 2010, 9th – 16th October
• National Spex Day, 12th of October,
• National Feral Cat Awareness Week 16th – 23rd October
• Information Security Awareness Week 18-21 October 2010,
• European Safety Week 25 October,
• National Games Playing Week, 25-31st October organised by Hasbro

November

• Design Week 1-7th November 2010
• Massage Awareness Week 2010, 1-7th November 2010
• Science Week November 7th -14th 2010
• European Week for Waste Reduction, 20th-28th November 2010
• SHAG (sexual health awareness and guidance) week, 26th November
• National Enterprise Week 19th – 26th November 2010

Leave a comment on any I have missed.