Disease is just as big a public concern today as it has always been. While modern medicine has allowed death rates from infections and some viruses to plummet, we’re not out of the woods health-wise. Instead, the diseases of the day take the form of things like cancer, serious digestive disorders, mental health issues, diabetes, heart disease and neurological illnesses.
Most people will, at some point, be touched by these diseases. Indeed, many people have a close friend or loved one that has suffered from one or more of these. Such experiences can make people want to increase awareness, either to promote better research or to help others who are affected. If you want to gain more awareness for a health issue, here are some ways to do it.
Word of Mouth
Word of mouth has long been one of the most effective methods of advertisement and promotion. Start helping your cause by talking to people about it. Begin with your friends and family, co-workers or anyone else you think will listen. Some of those people are bound to tell others and so on. The information keeps being passed on.
Social Networking
The advent of many popular social networking outlets makes it easier than ever to get the word out. The immense popularity of these sites means that thousands, if not millions, of people could view your page. Simply create a page for your particular cause, update it regularly with information and let the Internet do the rest. Post popular articles and news stories that are relevant to your cause, people will be more likely to share and re-post stories they find interesting.
Custom Gear
People love free stuff, and this gives you a great opportunity to raise awareness of your cause. Buttons from www.custombuttonco.com, are an ideal item because they’re inexpensive, come in many varieties and they can be custom-made. You should also consider items like lanyards, keychains and magnets, because of their functionality, people will look at repeatedly. This helps keep the cause in their minds and makes it more likely that they’ll spread the word. You can charge a small amount, something like $1, for these items and donate all the proceeds to your cause.
Rallies and Events
Consider holding a rally or event to raise awareness. It doesn’t have to be big or fancy. This is a good opportunity to raise money for your cause, too. People are more likely to spend money when they feel it’s for a good purpose and knowing they donated will make them feel good. It can be as simple as selling ice-cream or candy bars and donating the proceeds to your a charity that supports your cause.
Blogging
If a social networking site isn’t quite your thing, you can always start a blog. It may not get as much attention unless you actively promote it, but it’s still a start. This is a good platform for posting and analyzing related medical studies and news stories while expressing your own feelings and opinions on the matter. You can share your blog posts on your Twitter or Facebook account.
Fashion
Another ideal way to raise awareness is to appeal to people’s sense of fashion. Sell or raffle off t-shirts, pass out custom pins, or have some hats or bracelets made. When people wear these items, it’s like a walking billboard for your cause.
Cancer and other health problems are rampant in our country today. Most people have a family member or friend who is ailed by a common health problem. One of the best ways to help is to generate awareness and raise money for medical research. It doesn’t have to be hard work and you can start by trying a couple of these basic things.