We have seen the IHAW steadily grow since it began in 2013. Its success shows us that the IHAW is a very important and much needed event for the Idiopathic Hypersomnia community. In 2016 the IHAW official logo was launched as well as its own social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). We also introduced our first group of IHAW Ambassadors.

 

Are you passionate about raising awareness?

We believe the role of an Idiopathic Hypersomnia Awareness Week® Ambassador is vital to our ongoing success. IHAW is a worldwide event so we are looking for representatives from all over the global eg: US, Canada, UK, Europe, and Australasia etc to join us. The Ambassador role is individual to each person however the aim is the same – promote the Worldwide Idiopathic Hypersomnia Awareness Week® within the Idiopathic Hypersomnia patient community and/or the general public.
 

These are just some ideas: 
 

• Volunteer your time and talent to help organise the IHAW (planning for the awareness week starts around March/April).
   

• Promote the IHAW social media (encourage others to like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).
   

• Change your profile pic and cover photo to one of the IHAW images during Awareness Week and encourage others to do the same.
   

• Download a sign, take a photo of yourself holding it and share it on social media with the hashtag #LivingWithIdiopathicHypersomnia.

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• Share IHAW posts and pics on your social media with your family, friends, and in your IH patient communities.
   

• Send out a group email to all your contacts including the IHAW media release or other information.
   

• Contact your local media, share the media release with them, or ask them to share a ‘patient perspective’ (this can be your story or one of the other patient perspectives).
   

• Organise a local event or activity.
   

• Work with others in your local area on relevant projects.
   

• Hold a gold coin donation morning tea event at your place of work to raise awareness and funds to keep IHAW going.
   

• Start a Facebook fundraiser for the IHAW. To do this you select Hypersomnolence Australia from the list of charities as it is a registered not for profit charity and is registered with Facebook’s GivingFund.
   

Share your ideas with us! We are open to ideas and suggestions so if you have one we want to hear it! Ambassadors do not have to have Idiopathic Hypersomnia however if they do they need to be brave. You cannot be anonymous. We need people that will share the IHAW posts and pics on their social media and with their connections and who will inspire others to do the same.

We understand that not everyone can volunteer their time for more than one year so whether you would like to be an ambassador for one year or to be an ongoing ambassador we want to hear from you! 
 

Raising awareness of Idiopathic Hypersomnia takes a village. Your role as an IHAW Ambassador will encourage others to join in. The louder our voice the better chance we have of being heard. If you think you have what it takes to be an IHAW Ambassador please complete this online form. Or if you have any questions contact us at ihaweek@gmail.com

Please note: While the role of an Ambassador does not take up a lot of time it is important to note that planning and promoting the IHAW starts months before the awareness week in September. It is the role of an Ambassador is to take part in the process.

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