Bastion Lighting Calendar

Every year on April 29th, Make-A-Wish celebrates World Wish Day. This marks the anniversary of the wish that inspired the creation of Make-A-Wish. Make-A-Wish traces its inspiration to Christopher James Greicius, an energetic 7-year-old boy battling leukemia who wished to be a police officer. In 1980, his Phoenix community came together to make his wish come true. Little did Chris know that his wish would create a movement that would transform millions of lives. Little Chris passed away not long after his wish came true. but his legacy lives on. Today, Make-A-Wish has granted hundreds of thousands of life-changing wishes to children battling critical illnesses. Wishes that give families hope through dark times, strength to persevere and experiences that forever change their lives.

This year’s Mental Health Week will amplify some of the voices and spaces within which mental health exists across Canada, especially at the community level through non-profit agencies and programs.

World Ovarian Cancer Day — recognized on May 8 each year since 2013 — is an initiative of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, an organization that is an official Strategic Advocacy Partner of the IGCS and key ally within the International Gynecologic Cancer Advocacy Network to raise awareness in the fight against ovarian cancer.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Awareness Month (M.C.S) is observed every year throughout May. M.C.S. is a chronic, physical illness that causes people to experience severe reactions when their bodies are exposed to very low levels of toxins or chemicals in food, chemical products, or their immediate environment. Though M.C.S. hasn’t been recognized as an illness, it’s still important to offer support to those forced to live with it, as well as raise more awareness about the illness itself.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain and spinal cord process painful and nonpainful signals. Symptoms often begin after an event, such as physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event. Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than are men.

Porphyria occurs when the body cannot convert compounds called 'porphyrins' into heme. Porphyria can affect the skin, nervous system, gastrointestinal system or all of these, depending on the specific type. Currently, there is no cure, but medical treatment and lifestyle changes can usually manage the symptoms. Symptoms of acute porphyrias may include: Severe pain in the belly, chest, legs or back. Digestive problems, such as constipation, nausea and vomiting. Muscle pain, tingling, numbness, weakness or paralysis.

May is Food Allergy Awareness Month in Canada to bring awareness and education of food allergy across the country. Food allergy is one of the leading causes of potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions and a public health concern in Canada, especially among children. Over 3 million Canadians are affected by food allergy, that’s 7.5% of the population. The impact of food allergy is far greater, with an estimated 50% of households being either directly or indirectly affected by food allergy.

Menstrual Health Day contributes to the normalization of menstruation, as menstruating is a natural bodily function, and access to menstrual products is as necessary as access to soap, water and toilet paper.

World MS Day, initiated in 2009 by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) and its global members, which includes the National MS Society, unites individuals and organizations from around the world to raise awareness and move closer to a world free of MS.

To empower, celebrate, promote and create inclusivity, acceptance, and respect among persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities through advocacy, education, cultural activities and events in Nanaimo and surrounding communities.

Kidney cancer is cancer that begins in the kidneys. Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of your fist. They're located behind your abdominal organs, with one kidney on each side of your spine. In adults, renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer. Other less common types of kidney cancer can occur. Young children are more likely to develop a kind of kidney cancer called Wilms' tumor. The incidence of kidney cancer seems to be increasing. One reason for this may be the fact that imaging techniques such as computerized tomography (CT) scans are being used more often. These tests may lead to the accidental discovery of more kidney cancers. Kidney cancer is often discovered at an early stage, when the cancer is small and confined to the kidney.

The day commemorates the anniversary of the Constitution Act, which consolidated three territories into the single nation of Canada in 1867. Canadians across the country and around the world show their pride in their history, culture and achievements. It's been a day of celebration since 1868, where many festivities are held across the nation. Canada celebrated its 150th birthday in 2017.

National Injury Prevention Day, held annually on July 5, is a day to focus on the importance of knowing what we can do to avoid preventable injuries, which are the leading cause of death in Canada for people 44 and younger.

British Columbia Day in Canada is the name for the first Monday in August when residents of British Columbia celebrate their local heritage.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a month to join together to transform the future of prostate cancer for the 24,000 Canadians expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. Nearly 100% of people with prostate cancer will survive at least 5 years after their diagnosis if the cancer is caught early. But if it’s diagnosed late, just 3 in 10 people are expected to survive five years.

World Sepsis Day is held on September 13th every year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against sepsis. Sepsis accounts for at least 11 million deaths worldwide annually. Yet, depending on country and education, sepsis is known only to 7 – 50 % of the people. Likewise, it is poorly known that sepsis can be prevented by vaccination and clean care and that early recognition and treatment reduces sepsis mortality by 50 %. This lack of knowledge makes sepsis the number one preventable cause of death worldwide.

National Big Brothers Big Sisters Day celebrates over 100 years of supporting youth in Canadian communities through mentorships and bringing awareness to the cause as well as an opportunity to demonstrate the need for positive role models in the lives of children-at-risk through our community programs.

World Maritime Day holds immense significance as it serves as a global platform for recognizing and celebrating the pivotal role of the maritime industry in connecting nations, facilitating international trade, and ensuring the world's prosperity.

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Canada's Parliament proclaimed a day for giving thanks for "the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed" in 1879. The holiday actually has much earlier beginnings, though, possibly beginning in some form back in 1587 with Arctic explorer Martin Frobisher.