National Cjd Awareness Day

A group of diverse people wearing t-shirts with CJD awareness logos, standing in front of a supportive community backdrop.. — National cjd awareness day illustration

Hey there! Welcome to WhatNationalDayIsIt.com, where we uncover the fascinating internet history of national days. Today, we have a special day to talk about - National CJD Awareness Day!

When is Cjd Awareness Day?

It's national cjd awareness day on the 12th November.

The Background of National CJD Awareness Day

On this day, we gather together to raise awareness about Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), a rare and progressive neurodegenerative disorder. National CJD Awareness Day serves as a reminder to educate ourselves and others about this condition, its symptoms, and how it impacts individuals and their families.

CJD is caused by the presence of an abnormal protein known as a prion in the brain. It affects a person's coordination, memory, and eventually leads to severe neurological impairment. While CJD is relatively uncommon, it's crucial to promote awareness so that those affected receive the care, support, and resources they need.

Participating in National CJD Awareness Day can involve various activities, such as organizing informational sessions, sharing stories of individuals and families affected by CJD, and participating in fundraising initiatives to support research and patient advocacy organizations.

History behind the term 'Cjd Awareness'

1974

Discovery of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)

In 1974, the term 'CJD' first entered the medical world following the discovery and identification of a rare neurodegenerative disease. Initially named after its discoverers, Hans Gerhard Creutzfeldt and Alfons Maria Jakob, CJD is a fatal condition that affects the brain and nervous system, causing rapid mental deterioration and physical impairments.

1985

Link to Prion Protein

In 1985, researchers made a groundbreaking discovery that shed light on the origin of CJD. They found a link between the disease and an abnormal form of protein called a prion. Unlike typical infectious agents like viruses or bacteria, prions are infectious proteins that can trigger normal proteins to misfold, leading to the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain and the onset of CJD symptoms.

1996

Variant CJD Outbreak in the UK

The year 1996 marked a significant milestone in CJD history with the emergence of variant CJD (vCJD). This new form of the disease was found to be linked to the consumption of beef products contaminated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as 'mad cow disease.' The outbreak caused public concern and raised awareness about the risks associated with the transmission of prion diseases through the food chain.

2001

World CJD Awareness Day

To raise public awareness about CJD and its various forms, World CJD Awareness Day was established in 2001. Observed on November 10th each year, this day aims to educate individuals, healthcare professionals, and policymakers about the disease, its symptoms, and available support resources. It serves as a reminder to remain vigilant in efforts to prevent the spread of CJD and find effective treatments for affected individuals.

Did you know?

Did you know that the word 'Creutzfeldt-Jakob' might sound like the name of a villain from a spy movie, but it's actually the names of the doctors who first described the disease? Hans Gerhard Creutzfeldt and Alfons Maria Jakob were German neurologists who independently reported cases of CJD in the 1920s, hence the name!