World Hypertension Day might sound like an intensely stressful day, which causes high blood pressure, but it is in fact an educational event, designed to prevent instances of hypertension.
Created by the World Hypertension League in 2005, the day is intended to increase awareness of the condition and issues surrounding it. Awareness of hypertension is considered to be vitally important, due to the number of deaths linked with associated heart attacks, kidney disease and strokes. There is also a perceived lack of awareness about hypertension amongst the general public, which the WHL hopes to change. (DAYS of the YEAR)
The WHD was first inaugurated in May 2005 and has become an annual event ever since. The purpose of the WHD is to promote public awareness of hypertension and to encourage citizens of all countries to prevent and control this silent killer, the modern epidemic. (ish-world.com)
World Hypertension Day is observed every May 17th in order to raise awareness and promote hypertension prevention, detection and control. High blood pressure is the main risk factor to develop cardiovascular disease.
« Know your numbers » is the theme for this year. Its purpose is to raise awareness worldwide about the importance of knowing what is your blood pressure measurement. (www.PAHO.org)
World Communications Day is a worldwide celebration which follows the 1963 decree Inter Mirifica addressing the media of social communications and which was published during the Second Vatican Council. World Communications Day is now marked annually in most countries on the Sunday before Pentecost Sunday, which this year falls on 13 May. In some countries, the day is marked as the solemnity of Ascension.
The tireless efforts of nurses all over the world are celebrated every year on May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth in 1820.
Symbols
At long last, springtime has come and, with it, nature is taking on its colourful attire in the form of all kinds of flowers.
I know of a woman who, at the beginning of each year, takes a colourful flower container which she especially likes.
We live in a world full of many animals, insects, plants and creatures which are approaching risk of extinction – or are so close to extinction, that their species needs help immediately. When a species is defined as endangered, its numbers are especially low – in the last few thousands, hundreds, or even tens. And when the last of the species is gone, they are gone for good.
Over 1:1000 Canadian men, women and children are living with lupus and while we work towards our vision of life without lupus we want to ensure people living with lupus are living well.
May 8 is World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. It’s a time to recognize the staff and volunteers who traverse their communities, their countries, and the globe to alleviate human suffering.
Children orphaned by AIDS are just a fraction of the problem, as millions more have been made vulnerable. Behind the statistics are millions of stories of human suffering. The AIDS crisis has a catastrophic impact on households and communities – deepening poverty and exacerbating hardships. More than 95 percent of children affected by AIDS, including orphans, continue to live with their extended families. However, these families are increasingly overwhelmed by poverty and struggle to protect and raise the children in their care.
Bereaved Mother’s Day is an opportunity for moms grieving for their children to be open about all they’ve endured. 
International Midwives’ Day was first celebrated May 5, 1991, and has since been observed in over 50 nations around the world. The idea of having a day to recognize and honor midwives came out of the 1987 International Confederation of Midwives conference in the Netherlands.