February 4th is World Cancer Day – a global uniting initiative dedicated to creating a future without cancer. It seeks to eradicate inequalities that exist regarding cancer diagnosis, treatments, and other resources.
Formed in 2000, World Cancer Day is recognized and observed around the world and spearheaded by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), whose mission is to:
- Unite and support the cancer community
- Reduce the global cancer burden
- Promote greater equity
- Ensure that cancer control continues to be a priority in the world health and development agenda
World Cancer Day is a “positive movement for everyone, everywhere to unite under one voice to face one of our greatest challenges in history.”
How to Participate in World Cancer Day
Every year, there are hundreds of activities and events being held across the globe, enabling people, communities, organizations and businesses to come together, acting as a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in reducing the global impact of cancer.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s happening:
- Engage in an education program
- Get a free screening
- Take a survey
- Give Blood
- Make a financial donation
- Join a fundraisers, such as:
- Walks / Runs
- Sporting Events
- Creative Competitions
- Survivor Nights
To see what activities are being offered in your area, click here.
To learn other ways to take action, click here.
Other Ways To Recognize World Cancer Day
- Write to a national, state, or local political figure asking for funding, programming, or a commitment to make cancer prevention a priority.
- Make a social media post about the importance of cancer prevention and ways to reduce the risks of getting cancer
- Organize an event of your own- an educational event, assembly, or program to learn about or support and encourage cancer prevention
- Spend time with someone you know who has cancer or ask how you can help them or their caregivers / loved ones.
- Send the warrior in your life undergoing chemo and/or radiation, or having a mastectomy, a cancer care package from Rock the Treatment, with the essentials they need to look and feel strong.
- Do something nice for someone with cancer such as sending an inspirational note or cooking a meal.
- Speak with a cancer survivor.
- Offer a much-needed break to a caregiver.
- Share what you know about the signs of cancer, and the importance of early detection and prevention, and/or ask others and learn more.
- Make an appointment to get a cancer screening, like a mammogram, colonoscopy, or skin-cancer check.
Why Is World Cancer Day Important?
Cancer touches all of our lives. It knows no borders and does not discriminate among race, age, or gender.
Cancer kills approximately 10 million people around the globe annually.
It continues to decimate populations. Inequities in treatments, education, and early detection contribute to the high rate of fatalities in lesser-developed nations.
The UICC promotes, “The more we know, the more progress we can make in reducing risk factors, increasing prevention, and improving cancer diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and care.”
At Rock the Treatment, we make it easy to let someone with cancer know you care and support them on their difficult journey. If someone you love has cancer, send a helpful cancer gift basket from Rock The Treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation gift baskets are packed with the essentials needed to ease side effects of treatment, as well as enhance physical and mental well-being. See all of our cancer care packages and find the one that best supports their journey.
