The Monthly Dose November: Discussions, new communities, and upcoming events

News and happenings from Inspire If this message is not displaying properly, [click here]( . To ensure proper delivery, please add [team@email.inspire.com](mailto:team@email.inspire.com?subject=) to your address book. Volume 11 | November 2021 November Holidays How do You Celebrate November? Though Thanksgiving may be the first holiday that pops in your mind, November is filled with observances for everyone. It’s a great time to [create a journal post]( to share what you are thankful for and what gives you inspiration.   Why is November 11th Veteran’s Day? In the USA, November 11 commemorates the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” the day and time in 1918 when World War I ended. It is now a day to honor and celebrate all veterans. [- How do you honor the veterans in your life?]( Did you know it took 3 Presidents to make the last Thursday in November a national holiday? Though it was proposed as early as 1789, by George Washington himself, that November 26 be “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer,” Thanksgiving wasn’t a set national holiday. Abraham Lincoln helped move things along in 1863 by asking that the nation make the last Thursday in November a day of thanksgiving. But it wasn’t until 1941 that Roosevelt signed a resolution making Thanksgiving the national holiday it is today. [- How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?]( - What traditions mean Thanksgiving to you? What are your favorite foods, including desserts? If you or a loved one struggle with food allergies especially with the increase of get-togethers during the holiday season, how do you make sure you or your loved one stay safe Did you know November honors indigenous people? In 1990, President George H.W. Bush approved a resolution making the month of November National Native American Heritage Month (also known as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month). November is dedicated to raising awareness of the contributions of the Indigenous peoples to the United States, a time to celebrate Native Americans or First People’s traditions and cultures, as well as educate the public about their histories. [- If you are Native American, consider sharing with your community:]( - How do you celebrate your culture and traditions? How do you pass down the history of your people? Remembering Caregivers In 1997, November was made National Family Caregivers Month, a time to remember the many family members who care for older adults and those with disabilities. [- If you are a caregiver for a family member or friend:]( - What are some things for which you are grateful? - What is one area of your life that is better for having had the opportunity to care for your loved one? - What are some tips or resources that you can share with others to help them as they care for loved ones? From all of us at Inspire, Happy Fall; let the holiday season begin! mailto:?subject=How do you celebrate November&body=Share with your communities the things you are thankful for and that give you inspiration for the month of November: SAD What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?   The past two years of the pandemic have challenged the world. For Inspire members already dealing with health conditions life became even more difficult. Now, entering winter in the northern hemisphere, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or depression brought on by shorter days (less sunlight) and colder temperatures (meaning more time spent indoors) complicates life even more.   [- If you struggle with SAD or increased bouts of depression during the winter months, please share:]( - Your ideas for lifting your spirits. - Exercise routines that help you stay healthy physically and mentally. - Healthy eating ideas. Share recipes, please! By coming together in community, we gain strength, uplift and support each other.   mailto:?subject=What is Seasonal Affectve Disorder&body=If you struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder or increased bouts of depression during the winter months, please share: Spotlight Community Announcing our New HypoPara Heroes Community on Inspire   We are happy to announce a new community for people with hypoparathyroidism: the HypoPara Heroes Community on Inspire with partner HypoPara Support and Advocacy. People with hypoparathyroidism experience a reduction or absence of parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH is essential for maintaining the correct calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood. Symptoms can range from tingling, burning, and cramping in one’s extremities to tetany (intermittent muscle spasms and seizures. If you or a loved one is affected by hypoparathyroidism, join [HypoPara Heroes]( now and share your story!   mailto:?subject=We are happy to announce our new hypoparathyroidism Inspire community in partnership with HypoPara Support & Advocacy. If you are a loved one is affected by hypoparathyroidism, join now: . Lung Cancer Awareness Month November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month Join Inspire partner, American Lung Association's (ALA) Lung Force, in recognizing the month of November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Lung Force is uniting men, women and caregivers to stand against the leading cancer killer in the US. Visit the [American Lung Association]( to see how you can help raise awareness. You can also join our [Lung Cancer Survivors]( community on Inspire.    mailto:?subject=November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month&body=November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month! Join Inspire partner, American Lung Association in raising awareness. Learn more at . You can also join our Lung Cancer Survivors community on Inspire at . COPD Awareness Month Why is COPD Awareness Month Important? With approximately 16.4 million diagnosed adults and another 14 million undiagnosed adults, it is important to bring attention to COPD. COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a lung disease that makes it very difficult for people to breathe. During November, Inspire’s partner, American Lung Association is raising awareness of COPD. Read a blog post by ALA volunteer spokesperson MeiLan Han, MD about the [importance of COPD Awareness Month](. You can visit the [American Lung Association's]( COPD page to learn and share information about COPD. You can also join our [Living with COPD]( community on Inspire.   mailto:?subject=November is COPD Awareness Month&body=November is COPD Awareness Month! Join Inspire partner, American Lung Association in raising awareness. Learn more about COPD at . You can also join our Living with COPD community on Inspire at .       “The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” - Malcom S. Forbes   Inspire's Mission Inspire is the vital community that supports millions of patients and caregivers, advances understanding of the health journey, and partners with the medical community to accelerate life-change discoveries. [Inspire.com]( the app]( [LinkedIn]( [Pinterest]( [Twitter]( [Change preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [Help]( | [Privacy policy]( This is a message from Inspire for members of our community ● Copyright 2021 Inspire ● Inspire 3101 Wilson Boulevard Suite 220 Arlington, VA 22201