April: Dates of Significance

In April, we acknowledge World Autism Day, International Asexuality Day, World Health Day, Green Shirt Day and the International Day of Pink. Read more about each date of significance below, written by members of Grandview Kids’ Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee.

World Autism Day: April 2

Each year, April 2 marks World Autism Day, also known as Autism Awareness Day. The observance encourages United Nations member states to recognize and celebrate the achievements of autistic individuals, both large and small, and raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

It is often said that if you have met one person with autism, you have met one person with autism. No two individuals on the spectrum are exactly alike, and our understanding of autism continues to evolve as we learn more about the disorder. Dr. Leo Kanner and Dr. Hans Asperger are often credited with discovering autism, though the condition was first described by Dr. Grunya Sukhareva several years earlier. Her reports, dismissed at the time because she was a woman, would later influence Kanner’s research. The term “autism” comes from the Greek word “autos,” meaning “someone in their own world,” a description used in the early days of the disorder’s discovery when autism was misidentified as childhood schizophrenia.

Today, our understanding of autism has improved significantly. Autistic individuals are capable of remarkable achievements. World Autism Day provides an opportunity to celebrate these individuals and highlight the many positives of being on the autism spectrum.

International Asexuality Day: April 6

International Asexuality Day recognizes and celebrates the different identities under the asexual umbrella. Someone who is asexual does not experience sexual attraction or experiences it less often. Asexuality, like other identities, is on a spectrum and can look different depending on the person. For example, someone who is graysexual might experience some sexual attraction but does not generally, while someone who is demisexual might only experience sexual attraction to someone if they have an emotional bond first.

It is important to celebrate and recognize the diversity in human sexuality as we live in a world where we often equate sexual attraction with value. The spectrum of asexuality is as unique as each person. Individuals in the asexual community are often marginalized and assumed not to have an interest in forming relationships, whether physical or romantic.

World Health Day: April 7

World Health Day, observed annually on April 7, is a global health awareness day sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). The day commemorates the founding of the WHO on April 7, 1948, and serves as a platform to raise awareness about urgent global health issues. Each year, the WHO selects a specific health theme to highlight a priority area of concern. In 2025, the theme is “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures,” focusing on maternal and newborn health and survival. This approach allows for focused attention and efforts to address health challenges worldwide.

The history of World Health Day dates back to the First World Health Assembly in 1948, where the decision to establish the observance was made. The first official World Health Day was celebrated in 1950, and it has since become a key event on the global health calendar. Over the years, the themes of World Health Day have reflected changing global health priorities, from mental health and maternal and child health to the impact of climate change on health and the pursuit of universal health coverage. World Health Day aims to motivate governments, organizations and individuals to take action to improve health outcomes for all.

Green Shirt Day: April 7

Green Shirt Day, observed annually on April 7, is a national movement in Canada that raises awareness about organ donation and encourages donor registration. The day was inspired by Logan Boulet, a Humboldt Broncos player who tragically lost his life in the 2018 bus crash. Logan had registered as an organ donor, a decision that saved six lives. His choice, influenced by his late coach Ric Suggitt, sparked a surge in organ donor registrations across Canada, known as the “Logan Boulet Effect.”

Green Shirt Day honours the lives lost in the tragedy and serves as a reminder of the impact one donor can have. The Canadian Transplant Association (CTA) collaborates with the Boulet family and other organizations in the organ donation community to raise awareness about the critical need for organ and tissue donation. This day encourages people to explore local and virtual opportunities to participate, show support and spread the life-saving message of organ donation.

International Day of Pink: April 9

The International Day of Pink is a global anti-bullying and anti-homophobia event held annually during the second week of April. While similar to February’s Pink Shirt Day, which aims to end all bullying, the International Day of Pink specifically focuses on combating 2SLGBTQIA+ bullying.

Studies show that Canadian youth who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ face discrimination and bullying nearly twice as often as their heterosexual cisgender peers. This increased bullying is linked to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth experiencing suicidal ideation at a rate twice that of heterosexual cisgender youth who also report being bullied.

On the International Day of Pink, people are encouraged to wear pink shirts, participate in anti-bullying activities and show their support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community on social media using the hashtag #DayOfPink.