NCIRE - The Northern California Institute for Research and Education

August 10th is Agent Orange Awareness Day which marks the first day the substance was used in Vietnam in 1961, and it is meant to pay tribute to those who were exposed to the toxic dioxin compound. Agent Orange is responsible for a wide range of adverse effects in human beings which left a lingering impact on the citizens of Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, as well as the American Troops. Thousands of Vietnam War Veterans have fought illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure, and it has created generations of children born with physical abnormalities for those living the areas where the defoliant was sprayed. The Department of Veterans Affairs lists Agent Orange exposure or potential exposure as a presumptive condition, meaning that service members who report exposure and have certain medical conditions are presumed to have those medical issues as a result of military service and most likely have those conditions due to the exposure. If you have an illness caused by exposure to Agent Orange during military service, visit https://lnkd.in/gvqixvcV

August 7th commemorates the creation of the oldest American military decoration for military merit: The Purple Heart. Each year, this day is dedicated to honoring service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice on the front lines, and those who have suffered a life-altering injury due to combat. On August 7, 1782, General George Washington created the “Badge of Military Merit”, or Purple Heart, to recognize regular soldiers and non-commissioned officers who demonstrated "not only instances of unusual gallantry in battle, but also extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way,” during the American Revolution. Over the years, Congress and the President have continued to authorize changes to the eligibility criteria for awarding the Purple Heart, based on medical conditions, conflicts, and other events. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded to servicemembers in the name of the President of the United States since 1932. NCIRE honors those brave service members who have merited such an honor. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gsZgzv99

This August 4th we celebrate the 234th birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard! Since 1790, courageous service members of the U.S. Coast Guard have kept the nation’s waterways safe, playing a critical role in national security. Today, NCIRE honors the U.S. Coast Guard’s service members past and present for their valor, discipline, service, and dedication. Read More: https://lnkd.in/g_cRYBQ

August serves as National Immunization Awareness Month. During this month, people are encouraged to start making plans to receive their routine vaccinations. This is especially vital as COVID is still a major health threat, as well as the imminent Cold/Flu Season. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a helpful guide of vaccines to consider receiving to support your health and protect those around you. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gfZV4Vmk This month, NCIRE joins the VA in encouraging everyone to schedule your routine vaccination today!

On August 1, World Lung Cancer Day has been observed annually to raise awareness of lung cancer issues and magnify the need for lung cancer research and funding. This day serves to increase awareness and encourage early testing should you or someone you know have a potential genetic predisposition, are a long-time smoker, or have symptoms of the disease. NCIRE commemorates and supports those impacted by lung cancer. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), lung cancer is the deadliest cancer among Veterans. Veterans have a higher rate of lung cancer with an estimated 900,000 Veterans at risk for the disease due to age, smoking, and environmental exposures during and after military service. Approximately 8,000 Veterans are diagnosed and treated for lung cancer every year at VA; and while Veterans do have a lower rate of survival than the general population, when caught early, lung cancer is treatable. As part of its extensive health care, VA provides an annual low dose computed tomography (CT) scan which can benefit patients who have smoked cigarettes for many years by finding lung cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage. For information regarding VA Lung Cancer screening, visit: https://lnkd.in/ggRkNHYk

July 28th marks National Buffalo Soldiers Day. The holiday commemorates the formation of the first regular Army regiments comprising of Black/African American soldiers in 1866 and their contributions to the United States military. NCIRE celebrates these trailblazers and our Black military personnel who carry-on their legacy today. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ghH6YvV  

World Hepatitis Day (WHD) is recognized annually on July 28th is a global initiative to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, promote prevention, and encourage testing and treatment. This year WHD takes on an advocacy role to amplify the voices of people living with hepatitis demanding testing, treatment, vaccinations, and the end of stigma. It will make it clear there is no time to waste, and that leaders, politicians, doctors and communities must act now. According to the World Health Organization’s estimates, approximately 325 million people worldwide live with chronic hepatitis, and over 1.3 million deaths occur annually due to hepatitis-related complications, spurring the organization’s theme for 2024, “Take Action. Get Tested.” On World Hepatitis Day, NCIRE appreciates the efforts of NCIRE-supported Principal Investigator Alexander Monto, MD, who has been involved with the national VA Hepatitis C Resource Center Program since its inception in 2001, as well as others in the Research Community who work tirelessly to promote liver health; and encourages everyone to take action and raise awareness of hepatitis diseases. Learn more about what the VA is doing to diagnose and treat hepatitis; and what you can do to ‘Take Action’ this World Hepatitis Day: https://lnkd.in/gTaeMBq https://lnkd.in/gPJ2Rq9w

This year marks the 71st anniversary of the Alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea — an unbreakable bond forged by American and Korean service members who fought side-by-side from 1950 to 1953. Each year both America and South Korea observe National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day on July 27th. This day was started to commemorate and recognize the peace treaty that spurred a cease-fire in a long-standing war. The Korean War is a significant chapter in American history in which approximately 50,000 American troops died in the conflict, over 100,000 were wounded, and thousands of others were held captive as prisoners of war. On National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, NCIRE encourages everyone to reflect upon the service and sacrifices of American troops during this conflict. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eUzZgmcf

On July 26, we celebrate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law in 1990. The ADA, first introduced in 1988, was designed to build on the progress of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The ADA is the result of the American disability movement that began in the 1960s with grassroots efforts to resist the centuries-old notion that members of the Disabled Community were defective and lacking and needed to be segregated from civic life. Designed to model the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the purpose of the ADA is to guarantee that individuals with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else, including education, employment, purchasing goods and services, and participating in state and local government programs. NCIRE celebrates diversity in abilities and champions the providence of the Americans with Disabilities Act to pave the way for Disability Independence. Learn more: https://www.ada.gov/

To recognize the employment needs of Veterans and support them on their job journey, on July 25th, NCIRE joins many organizations around the country in celebrating National Hire a Veteran Day. This day is recognized and promoted by federal agencies including the Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA official site, VA Careers, is available for job seekers and there are many different types of employment available. As the VA official site reminds, you do NOT have to be a doctor or nurse to qualify for jobs at VA facilities. We encourage Veterans and transitioning military personnel to apply at VA any day. Veterans are not just our patients, but also one of our greatest resources, and we welcome them onto the team at every opportunity. Job openings include positions in senior leadership, IT, accounting and much more. There are also jobs for Veterans in the public sector at USAJobs.gov. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gzs4YJ2