MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
5 December 2024
This Giving TuesShoesday, take a walk in someone else’s shoes for a bigger cause than just cool kicks.
This Giving Shoesday (10 December 2024), your outlet and audience are invited to join the movement to end leprosy – simply by taking a walk in someone else’s shoes.
What is Giving Shoesday?
“Giving Tuesday” – the Tuesday following Black Friday’s sales – has become synonymous with generosity and compassion. Giving Shoesday embraces that generosity and compassion and takes it forward.
Many of us have an ongoing love affair with shoes. Sweet sneakers, sunny slides, hot heels – what’s not to love? But for millions of people affected by leprosy, their relationship with shoes is… well, it’s complicated.
In fact, for people affected by leprosy, foot care is tricky. Literal walking can involve discomfort at best and amputation at worst. Leprosy attacks the nerves so you don't feel pain – you don't notice injury or damage.
So, for Giving Shoesday on December 10, we’re taking a walk in someone else’s shoes.
We will swap our fave footwear with workmates, besties and fam and let ourselves feel a bit uncomfortable. We’ll attempt to take a walk – perhaps only managing a crawl, roll or small move with the discomfort.
Then, we’ll snap a pic and share it on our socials to raise awareness.
Because leprosy is still a thing —but it doesn’t have to be! This ancient disease still affects millions of people, ruining lives today with adverse health effects and social stigma.
Yet, leprosy is curable with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) – a combination of three. In most cases, patients aren’t even infectious within 24-48 hours of beginning treatment. Even better, the cost of MDT is covered.
We can see leprosy end in our lifetime by raising awareness. But we need your help.
What can your audience do?
On Giving Shoesday, 10 December, The Leprosy Mission Australia invites everyone to take a step towards ending leprosy.
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Trade shoes with a friend, take a walk, snap a pic, post and tag us with @TLMAustralia and hashtag #TakeAWalk, #GivingShoesday and #StillAThing.
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Purchase a pair of shoes for a person affected by leprosy at stillathing.org/giving-shoesday.
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Grab a Shoe Charm– our mascot, the armadillo, is the perfect conversation starter.
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Learn more about Leprosy at stillathing.org.
ENDS
Interview Opportunities:
Greg Clarke, CEO of the Leprosy Mission, Australia, is available for interviews to discuss:
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The origins and goals of Giving Shoesday
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The ongoing fight against leprosy and the stigma surrounding it.
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Simple ways individuals and communities can make a difference.
Media quotes from Greg Clarke:
“Shoes are something most of us take for granted, but for millions of people affected by leprosy, the right footwear can change their lives. Giving Shoesday is a fun yet powerful way to bring attention to their struggles and highlight solutions.”
“Leprosy is ancient, but the cure is modern and effective. Together, we can make this disease a thing of the past. Every step matters—literally.”
Media contact:
To learn more about Giving Shoesday and book an interview with Greg Clarke, contact please contact:
Kylie Beach, Media & PR, Wild Hive
Key Facts:
Leprosy is still a thing. Every 2 minutes one person is diagnosed with leprosy.
Leprosy is curable.
On Giving Shoesday, 10 December, The Leprosy Mission Australia invites everyone to take a step towards ending leprosy.
-
Trade shoes with a friend, take a walk, snap a pic, post and tag us with @TLMAustralia and hashtag #TakeAWalk, #GivingShoesday and #StillAThing.
-
Purchase a pair of shoes for a person affected by leprosy at stillathing.org/giving-shoesday.
-
Grab a Shoe Charm– our mascot, the armadillo, is the perfect conversation starter.
-
Learn more about Leprosy at stillathing.org.
About us:
The Leprosy Mission Australia is part of a worldwide partnership of organisations working towards zero leprosy transmission, zero leprosy disability and zero leprosy discrimination. It supports international aid, research, advocacy and community development in countries around the world where leprosy is still prevalent, especially India, Indonesia, Nepal, Nigeria and Timor-Leste.
Contact details:
Kylie Beach, Media & PR, Wild Hive kylieb@wildhive.com.au
Belinda Pettman, Content and Media Relations Co-ordinator communications@leprosymission.org.au PH: 1800 LEPROSY 1800 537 767
