How to Get Involved in National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month

As a migraine sufferer or caregiver for one, you are probably not aware, on a daily basis, the vast number of advocates and volunteers working for you/us every day.

You may have heard, however, that June is Migraine and Headache Awareness Month. There is still time to become involved.

On June 16, the Headache Disease Policy Advocacy Network (HDPAN), a new cross-community stakeholder group working to identify and better support advocacy and policy initiatives that benefit the headache disease community, brought to us our first Headache Awareness Advocacy Day.

On this day, we asked our representatives in Congress to support a House Resolution (H.Res), designating June 2021 as Migraine and Headache Awareness Month. This Resolution is being led by Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4th) (CHAMP). This resolution will serve to educate our representatives about the substantial impact migraine and headache disease has on our community and give them an opportunity to show their support for us.

Longtime advocates have been joined by newer groups to address complex value assessments, raise awareness with and increase support from Capitol Hill, and break down payer access challenges to innovative treatment options. CHAMP "brings together the most influential patient advocacy organizations and leaders in the area of migraine, cluster, and headache diseases" (Champ Mission Statement). Go to their website to see participant organizations. They have also made partnerships with like-minded advocates in other communities such as veterans, and have acknowledged disparities in care and sought to address them.

Headache on the Hill (HOH) is an annual advocacy event in Washington DC organized by the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA). The AHDA unites health professionals, migraine and cluster headache advocates, and patients to present our requests or “asks” of Congress. These asks are typically focused on improving awareness about the impact of headache disorders and the need for research funding.

What I have discovered since I became involved in migraine research, first for my own 43-year migraine condition but secondly for my book, is that there is a multitude of very involved, individual advocates working on a daily basis, in a vast number of avenues, to improve the quality of life for those of us suffering with migraine.

They are researching, working with health professionals, creating blogs, websites, Facebook and Twitter chats, and promoting lectures by leading experts on so many migraine-related topics. I won’t begin to name names, as I’d inevitably leave out someone or some group of significance.

However, we still have 10 days left in Migraine Awareness Month, so take advantage of the many ways you can become involved.

Shades for Migraine® is a global awareness campaign, sponsored by the Association of Migraine Disorders, that asks everyone to wear a pair of sunglasses on June 21 to show their support for the 1 billion people living with migraine disease worldwide. Taking part is easy; just follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Take a photo wearing shades on (or around) June 21, to show you care for people living with migraine disease.

Step 2: Post your photo on social media with the hashtag #ShadesForMigraine

Step 3: Challenge three friends to take part, too. Watch your impact multiply.

You can also do the following:

• Spend time on the major migraine organization websites (Google them.)
• Explore Facebook pages and support groups.
• Look up migraine on Twitter to find those groups and individuals who are leading discussions, live chats, offering empathy and support, answers to questions, and more.
• Spread the word so people know the importance of this month—it’s time migraine disease is given the recognition, proper education, and funding it so needs and deserves.

“I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.” –Maya Angelou