​National Critical Illness Awareness Month - Almost 1.5 million Americans suffer a stroke or heart attack each year.

​National Critical Illness Awareness Month 2025 – October 2025

Almost 1.5 million Americans suffer a stroke or heart attack each year. The numbers are comparable for cancer diagnoses and other critical illnesses. National Critical Illness Awareness Month, observed in October, helps spread information about critical illness prevention, treatment, and patient care. Getting diagnosed with a critical illness can be devastating. However, it’s often possible to fight even in the most dire circumstances.

National Critical Illness Awareness Month timeline

2014
​DNA analysis in cancer

​The National Human Genome Research Institute, together with National Cancer Institute, analyzed DNA in 30 types of cancers to better understand the origins of this critical illness.

​2010
The first cancer vaccine was developed

​FDA approved a cancer treatment vaccine meant to treat metastatic prostate cancer.

​1971
​National Cancer Act was signed

​​President Nixon signed the National Cancer Act, which gave the director of National Cancer Institute powers to coordinate nationwide cancer-focused programs.

​1937
National Cancer Institute was established

President Franklin Roosevelt signed legislation that led to the setting up of National Cancer Institute, an organization dedicated to cancer research.

How to Observe National Critical Illness Awareness Month

  1. Get critical illness insurance

    Critical illness insurance fills the gaps, helping you stay prepared if tragedy strikes.

  2. Do a self-examination

    Check for any irregularities and schedule an appointment with a doctor or oncologist if you are unsure about something.

  3. Give to charity

    You could donate to a non-profit organization, or even give money to a research institute.

​3 Methods To Cope With A Critical Illness

  1. ​Practice mindfulness

    Meditation can help you stay in the moment, which is important when a critical illness catches you by surprise.

  2. ​Reach out for help

    Critical illnesses are traumatic; reach out to support groups in your neighborhood, or seek professional help if you're unable to cope.

  3. ​Go Easy on Yourself

    Self-criticism will only make matters worse

Why National Critical Illness Awareness Month is Important

  1. A reminder to stay positive

    Your afflicted friend and/or family member needs all the faith and hope they can get.

  2. It shines a spotlight on health

    Regular exercise cuts down the risk of a stroke or heart attack. Critical Illness Awareness Month is about disseminating vital information that helps you lead a healthier life.

  3. It encourages giving

    Critical Illness Awareness Month reminds us to consider helping organizations that relentlessly work towards making people's lives better.

National Critical Illness Awareness Month dates

Year Date Day
2023 October 1 Sunday
2024 October 1 Tuesday
2025 October 1 Wednesday
2026 October 1 Thursday
2027 October 1 Friday
International Coffee Day
World Vegetarian Day
​International Day of Older Persons
Chinese National Day
National Black Dog Day
National Homemade Cookies Day
National Walk and Bike to School Day
National Hair Day
National Fire Pup Day
Maha Navami
National Lace Day
CD Player Day
Model T Day
International Music Day
Balloons Around the World Day
National Kale Day
National Pumpkin Seed Day
Filipino American History Month
World Ballet Day
International Walk to School Day
National Day of China
Ayudha Puja
Mahanavami
Navami of Durga Puja
Teacher's Day in Uzbekistan
ROK Alliance Day
Nigeria Independence Day
Coffee with a Cop Day
Cyprus Independence Day
World Sake Day
Tuvalu Independence Day
Semana Morazánica
International Raccoon Appreciation Day
Nepal: Maha Navami
Investiture of the Captains Regent in San Marino
FGTeeV Chase's Birthday
Peter Thomas's Birthday
Julie Andrews's Birthday
Latisha Scott's Birthday
Dorian Hunter's Birthday
Jurnee Smollett-Bell's Birthday
Matthew Daddario's Birthday
Priah Ferguson's Birthday
Delianna Urena's Birthday
Zach Galifianakis's Birthday
Nathaniel Drew's Birthday
Myles Parrish's Birthday
RD Benji's Birthday
Brie Larson's Birthday
Drew Chadwick's Birthday
Isis King's Birthday
National Walk Your Dog Week
Elderly Filipino Week
Health Literacy Month
​​Italian American Heritage Month
Eat Better, Eat Together Month
Emotional Wellness Month
German American Heritage Month
National Caramel Month
National Chili Month
​National Dental Hygiene Month
​National Depression Education and Awareness Month
National Dessert Month
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
National Pasta Month
National Pickled Peppers Month
​National Pizza Month
​National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
National Pretzel Month
National Sausage Month
Polish American Heritage Month
​Fair Trade Month
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month
Vegetarian Month
National Chiropractic Month
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
​Blindness Awareness Month
AIDS Awareness Month
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
​National ADHD Awareness Month
​National Critical Illness Awareness Month
​National Ergonomics Month
​National Liver Awareness Month
​National Protect Your Hearing Month
​Rett Syndrome Awareness Month
​World Menopause Month
​National Physical Therapy Month
​National Book Month
LGBTQ+ History Month
National Crime Prevention Month
Church Library Month
Halloween Safety Month
Go Sober For October
Italian American Heritage and Culture Month
Financial Planning Month
International Walk To School Month
National Apple Month
National Non-GMO Month
National Pescatarian Month
Celebrate The Bilingual Child Month
Bat Appreciation Month
National Cookie Month
National Medical Librarians Month
​National Learning and Development Month
Contact Lens Safety Month
Country Music Month
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
National Church Safety and Security Month
Head Start Awareness Month
Dyslexia Awareness Month
National Arts & Humanities Month
National Cookbook Month
Long Term Care Planning Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Audiology Awareness Month
National LGBT History Month
​National Bullying Prevention Month
Eye Injury Prevention Month
World Animal Month
Unblocktober
National Pet Wellness Month
World Autism Month
Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month
World Habitat Awareness Month
Museums and Galleries Month
National Pitbull Awareness Month
Squirrel Awareness Month
National Orthodontic Health Month
​​Global Diversity Awareness Month
Family History Month
International School Libraries Month
Hog Out Month
Prenatal-onset GBS Disease Recognition Month
​Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Work and Family Month
​National Spina Bifida Awareness Month
The Big Draw
National Indigenous Peoples Month
American Pharmacists Month
Black Speculative Fiction Month
​Healthy Lung Month