On Friday, 4 February 2022, we need to #CloseTheCareGap. World Cancer Day is on our doorstep, once again, teaching everyone that cancer is a critical health and human issue – we need to understand what it is and how each and everyone can act, even if it’s just for a hot second, 1 minute, 5 minutes or more.
This day empowers us to show support, raise our collective voice, take personal action, and press those around us, especially our government, to do more. We can unite and rally under one banner of cancer in a positive and inspiring way!
Led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), we are all working together to reimagine a world where millions of preventable cancer deaths are saved and access to life-saving cancer treatment and care is equitable for all – no matter who you are or where you live.
World Cancer Day: 2022 Theme
We all have a role in reducing the global impact of cancer – Young and old. Rich and poor. Black, white and every other colour. Male, female, trans and other. The right and the left. The East and the West. Followers, leaders, believers and non. E-v-e-r-y-o-n-e. Far more unites us than divides us. So, let’s agree that the people and powers that be, to make the world aware, we need to close the gap in cancer care. Watch the video here.
Understanding Cancer
Ten million people lose their lives to cancer every year, making it the second-leading cause of deaths worldwide, and the sad part is that at least a third of common cancers are preventable… Unfortunately, the souls unaware and uneducated make up 70% of cancer deaths due to the low-to-middle income countries they reside in. Therefore, implementing appropriate resource strategies for prevention, early detection, and treatment is of utmost importance in saving millions of lives.
We encourage you to share these valuable articles with everyone in your circle, not just assuming they know:
- What is cancer?
- How cancers grow
- Types of cancers
- Signs and symptoms of cancer
- Preventing cancer
- Early detection of cancer
- Cancer staging
- Managing and treating cancer
- Survivorship
- Palliative care
Get Involved To Create The Change
In any you can, just get involved – it doesn’t matter how much time you have –
- In a hot second: You can donate and feel good. Donate now.
- In 1 minute:
- You can create your own custom social media post with your own personal message of the commitment and share it with the world.
- You can start a conversation about cancer with your family, friends, colleagues and networks.
- You can test your knowledge about equity and cancer.
- You can show your family, friends and networks that you’re getting behind World Cancer Day. Update your social media pages with the official World Cancer Day profile cover images.
- In 5 minutes:
- You can write to your political parties asking them to show their commitment, raise public awareness and act this World Cancer Day.
- You can find out more about cancer, how you can reduce your cancer risks, and its impact on the people we love, our communities, and the world.
- With More!
- You can make a statement by lighting up a significant landmark, monument, or building to be illuminated on World Cancer Day in the colours of orange and blue in your city. For more information, email hello@worldcancerday.org.
- You can write an op-ed, blog story, record a video message, feature World Cancer Day on your website, an article in your newsletter, or reach out to a local journalist.
- You can show your support by showing up. Find an event near you on the Map of Activities, sign up to attend, participate or volunteer.
- You can inspire others by hosting your own World Cancer Day event. From flash mobs, free screenings, record-breaking attempts, conferences, fundraisers to fun runs, add it to the Map of Impact to spotlight the extraordinary work that you are planning.
You can! Whoever you are – a cancer survivor, co-worker, a carer, a friend, a leader, healthcare worker, teacher, or student – you have the power to take action for a cancer-free world. We all can.
