Paddle for Perthes Disease Awareness Day
July 25
About Paddle for Perthes Disease Awareness Day
Paddle for Perthes Disease Awareness Day takes place on Saturday 25 July 2026, falling as it always does on the last Saturday in July. The day asks people to grab a kayak, canoe or paddleboard, get out on the water and raise awareness of Perthes disease, a childhood hip condition that affects thousands of families around the world. Perthes disease, known in full as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, occurs when the blood supply to the head of the femur is temporarily disrupted, causing bone tissue to weaken and the hip joint to deteriorate before it slowly rebuilds. Paddling was chosen as the activity because it does not rely on the legs, so children and adults living with the condition can take part alongside everyone else.
What is Paddle for Perthes Disease Awareness Day?
Paddle for Perthes Disease Awareness Day is a community-led awareness and fundraising event dedicated to Perthes disease, a rare hip disorder that mainly affects children between the ages of four and ten. The day combines a simple, inclusive physical activity with a wider goal of educating the public about a condition that many people have never heard of.
The choice of paddling is deliberate and meaningful. Perthes disease affects the hip and the upper leg, and treatment often involves limited weight-bearing, physiotherapy, bracing or, in some cases, surgery. Activities that involve running or jumping can be painful or off limits for affected children. Sitting in a kayak or canoe, or kneeling and using the arms on a paddleboard, lets people who cannot use their legs freely still join in. That inclusivity sits at the heart of the day and explains why families touched by Perthes disease have embraced it.
Around the world, supporters mark the occasion by organising group paddles on lakes, rivers, canals and calm coastal waters. Others turn a day at the beach or lakeside into a fundraiser, sharing stories of children living with the condition and collecting donations for research and family support. The day is observed internationally, with participants joining in from many different countries rather than a single nation.
When is Paddle for Perthes Disease Awareness Day?
Paddle for Perthes Disease Awareness Day is observed on the last Saturday in July each year. In 2026 this falls on Saturday 25 July. Because the date is tied to the final Saturday of the month rather than a fixed number, it moves slightly from year to year, which keeps the event on a weekend when more people can get to the water.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27 July | Saturday |
| 2025 | 26 July | Saturday |
| 2026 | 25 July | Saturday |
| 2027 | 31 July | Saturday |
Holding the day on a Saturday in midsummer is practical. Warmer weather and longer daylight hours make open water safer and more pleasant, and a weekend date means children, parents and supporters can take part without missing school or work.
Why Paddle for Perthes Disease Matters
Perthes disease is uncommon, and that rarity is part of the problem. Because so few people have heard of it, families often face long waits for a diagnosis, confusion about treatment options and a sense of isolation. A child who limps or complains of knee or groin pain may be assessed several times before the hip is identified as the source. Raising public awareness helps parents, teachers and even some clinicians recognise the warning signs sooner, which can make a real difference to outcomes.
The condition also carries a heavy emotional weight for children and their families. Treatment can last between eighteen months and several years, during which a young child may need to limit running, jumping and contact sport at exactly the age when active play matters most. Crutches, braces or a period in a wheelchair can set a child apart from their friends. An inclusive event like a community paddle gives these children a moment to be at the centre of something positive and active rather than on the sidelines.
Fundraising tied to the day supports research into why Perthes disease develops, how best to treat it and how to improve long-term hip health into adulthood. Money raised also helps fund physical and mental health support, peer networks and practical guidance for families navigating a condition that few people around them understand. Awareness, in this case, leads directly to earlier diagnosis, better support and stronger research.
How to Get Involved
There are many ways to take part, whether you are an experienced paddler or simply want to show your support from dry land:
- Organise or join a group paddle on a local lake, river, canal or sheltered stretch of coast, choosing calm water and wearing a buoyancy aid.
- Grab a kayak, canoe or paddleboard and complete a personal challenge, then share photos and a few words about why you are paddling.
- Turn a beach or lakeside day into a fundraiser with music, snacks and a donation jar for a Perthes charity or research fund.
- Share the story of a child living with Perthes disease, with the family’s permission, to help others recognise the symptoms.
- Post a photo or short video from your paddle on social media using the awareness hashtags to widen the reach of the day.
- Donate to or set up a fundraising page for a Perthes disease support group, with proceeds going towards therapy, research and family support.
- Ask a local paddlesports club, leisure centre or scout group to dedicate a session to the cause and learn about the condition.
- If you cannot get on the water, wear blue, host a coffee morning or simply share an awareness post to keep the conversation going.
Safety should always come first. Check the weather, paddle with others where possible, wear a properly fitted buoyancy aid and stick to water that suits your experience level.
History of Paddle for Perthes Disease Awareness Day
Paddle for Perthes Disease Awareness Day grew from grassroots efforts within the Perthes community rather than from a large institution. The original event was first shared on social media in 2010, with families and supporters spreading the idea through Facebook and Twitter rather than a formal launch. From these modest beginnings it became an annual fixture, gathering pace each year as more parents, patients and paddlesports enthusiasts joined in.
The day reflects a wider pattern in rare-disease advocacy, where families affected by little-known conditions create their own awareness moments because mainstream attention is scarce. By choosing an activity that suits people who cannot rely on their legs, the founders built inclusivity into the event from the start. Over the years the day has spread internationally, connecting families across different countries who share the same experience and helping the Perthes community feel less alone.
Noteworthy Facts
- Perthes disease is named after three doctors, Arthur Legg, Jacques Calve and Georg Perthes, who each described the condition independently in the early twentieth century.
- The disorder most commonly affects children between four and ten years old, and it occurs more often in boys than in girls.
- The condition progresses through several stages, from the loss of blood supply to the femoral head, through fragmentation, to the gradual rebuilding of new bone, a process that can take several years.
- Most children recover well, with many returning to everyday activities after around eighteen to twenty-four months of treatment and monitoring.
- Paddling was chosen for the awareness day specifically because it does not depend on the legs, allowing affected children to take part on equal terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an experienced paddler to take part?
No. Many supporters join beginner-friendly group paddles on calm water, and you can take part on a paddleboard, in a canoe or in a kayak. Always wear a buoyancy aid and choose water that matches your ability.
Why is the awareness day built around paddling rather than running or walking?
Perthes disease affects the hip and limits weight-bearing activity for many children. Paddling uses the arms and upper body, so children and adults who cannot use their legs freely can still join in, which makes the day genuinely inclusive.
How can I help if I cannot get out on the water?
You can still make a difference by donating, sharing awareness posts, wearing blue, hosting a small fundraiser or simply learning and passing on the warning signs of Perthes disease so families can seek help sooner.
Spread the Word
Sharing the day online is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to support it. Post a photo or clip from your paddle, tell the story of why you are taking part and tag friends to encourage them to join in next year. Use these hashtags to help your message reach the wider Perthes community:
#PaddleForPerthes #PerthesDisease #PerthesAwareness #PaddleForPerthes2026 #LeggCalvePerthes
Related Awareness Days
Links
- Awareness Days calendar
- Perthes Disease information, OrthoInfo (AAOS)
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Mayo Clinic
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