National Sarcoidosis Day is observed all over the world on April 30 and we celebrate by creating awareness among people, volunteering for events, and spreading the word about do’s and don’ts regarding this chronic disease. Did you know, 70% of people affected by sarcoidosis are aged between 20 and 40? Also, women are more likely to develop the disease.
History of National Sarcoidosis Day
National Sarcoidosis Day was born out of Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, which is observed every year in April. People have been requesting a day of observance as an official holiday ever since Sarcoidosis Month was announced. Eventually, it was proposed and officially declared a holiday by Congress only in 2008.
The second Saturday of April is also observed as an awareness day for the same disease. The symbol of a snowflake has been used to resemble the symptoms of the disease, creating awareness among people all over the country.
There is no cure for sarcoidosis, and people who are diagnosed with the disease find it difficult to recover from the complications that arise from it. The root cause of sarcoidosis could be genetic. The disease is said to primarily affect African-Americans and people suffering from prior autoimmune disorders are also more susceptible. As of 2015, about 1.9 million people had been affected by pulmonary sarcoidosis, which mainly affects the lungs. Therefore, National Sarcoidosis Day was created in order to spread awareness about the disease.
National Sarcoidosis Day timeline
Sarcoidosis is first described by English physician Sir Jonathan Hutchinson as a non-painful skin disease.
Awareness around sarcoidosis is on the increase.
National Sarcoidosis Day is proposed and Congress officially declares it a holiday.
1.9 million people are affected by pulmonary sarcoidosis.
National Sarcoidosis Day FAQs
Is Sarcoidosis a type of cancer?
Sarcoidosis is not a form of cancer. It usually happens due to a genetic predisposition, which may be triggered by bacteria, viruses, dust, or chemicals
What is the life expectancy of those living with sarcoidosis?
Most people with sarcoidosis live normal lives. About 60% of the people recover without any treatment.
Can my family get sarcoidosis from me?
It is sarcoidosis and not the flu. It’s not at all contagious. So you can still spend time with your friends and family, but it’s better to stay indoors.
How to Observe National Sarcoidosis Day
Go for a check-up at camps for creating awareness
On April 30, many hospitals and health institutes organize check-up camps for sarcoidosis. You can observe the day by getting a check-up at such a camp in your area. Or you can go to health organizations and volunteer to spread awareness on this day.
Learn more about sarcoidosis
Not a lot of information is available about sarcoidosis online. It wouldn’t be a bad idea on April 30 to go to your nearby library or your doctor and learn more about the disease. The more you know about it, the better you will be able to spread awareness.
Promote it on social media
Share the information you gather and use the hashtag #NationalSarcoidosisDay on social media. Your knowledge about the disease will help other people become more aware of it, at least on this one day of the year.
5 Lesser-Known Facts About Sarcoidosis
Extent of the effect
Sarcoidosis primarily affects the lungs and leads to inflammation in the blood vessels of the pulmonary artery.
Not just lungs
Sarcoidosis also affects the skin, heart, eyes, nervous system, endocrine system, exocrine system, stomach, bones, muscles, and joints.
Symptoms
The primary symptoms of sarcoidosis are patches on the skin and scalp with skin tissue becoming reddish.
Associated diseases
Sarcoidosis in the blood leads to anemia.
Represented by the color violet
People sport violet T-shirts and other clothing items to raise awareness on this day.
Why National Sarcoidosis Day is Important
Sarcoidosis is rare
Sarcoidosis is a rare disease that people are not that much aware of. Even though a small portion of the population is susceptible to getting the disease, if they do, they wouldn’t know what to do. That’s why it’s important to know more about the disease.
Sarcoidosis affects the breathing
Sarcoidosis is one of the few diseases that affect the lungs the most. When your breathing is affected due to sarcoidosis, you don’t necessarily have enough time to go to a doctor and get treatment. Therefore National Sarcoidosis Day is important to inform people of the symptoms and precautions.
Sarcoidosis is incurable
To date, there has been no definite cure for sarcoidosis. A day like National Sarcoidosis Day can help boost the awareness among people to know more about this incurable disease. This would help people to steer clear of things that might cause it, as there is no definite cure for the ailment yet.
National Sarcoidosis Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | April 30 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | April 30 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | April 30 | Thursday |
| 2027 | April 30 | Friday |
| 2028 | April 30 | Sunday |
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