World Thyroid Day

World Thyroid Day is observed on 25th May 2021. Thyroid illnesses affects an individual’s mood and body functions on a daily basis. Therefore, it becomes necessary to understand the issues related to thyroid and what can be done to tackle it.

In Leipzig, Germany in 2007, a decision was made to celebrate every 25th day of May as the World Thyroid Day. According to a study by Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, nearly 42 Million people in India suffer from thyroid related problems.

Thyroid disease refers to any and all dysfunctions that can occur in the thyroid gland. Therefore, it is important for every one to be aware of the issues related to the thyroid gland as it has a direct impact on one’s health.

There are five types of Thyroid disease, given as follows:

Hypothyroidism – An underactive thyroid

Hyperthyroidism – An overactive thyroid

Goitre – An enlarged thyroid

Thyroid Nodules – Obstructions in the thyroid gland

Thyroid cancer – Harmful thyroid nodules or tissue

Thyroiditis – Inflammation of the thyroid

Thyroid is a hormone in your body which is responsible for normal development and metabolic balance. If this hormone gets imbalanced it impacts your body weight and energy expenditure. Derangements of thyroid can lead to hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyroiditis where one can go through physical changes in body like fatigue, hairfall, weight gain or weight loss, irregular menses and more.

Therefore, World Thyroid Day is celebrated to create awareness about this health issue which should not be neglected. Talking about the special day, it was established by the European Thyroid Association and American Thyroid Association on May 25 in the year 2008. And ever since it is being celebrated every year.

International Missing Children’s Day

International Missing Children’s Day is an awareness event that is observed every year on 25th May. The aims of the day are to place a spotlight on the issue of child abduction, educate parents on safeguarding measures to protect their children and also honour those who have never been found and celebrate those who have. More than 1 million children are reported missing every year.

ICMEC considers any child under the age of 18 whose whereabouts are unknown to be “missing”. This includes children who have been abducted, abandoned, separated from their parents, or are running away from a home that is not safe.

Missing Children’s Day began as an observance in the USA in 1983. The date was chosen following the disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz on 25th May 1979 from New York City. International Missing Children’s Day which observes the same date was launched a number of years later in 2001 and is now observed all over the world.

This awareness event is run in conjunction with the Global Missing Children’s Network. The network, which formed in 1998, has 23 member countries who all connect in order to share information and best practice, working towards improving the effectiveness and success rate of missing children investigations.

On International Missing Children’s day, there is a massive, worldwide social media campaign where participants are encouraged to share images of those who are still missing on all forms of social media as well as celebrating stories of those who have been found.