The World Cancer Day campaign

United by Unique – Placing people at the centre of cancer care

List of words associated with cancer: courage, grief, love, despair, strength, cancer

United in our goals, unique in our needs. That is the World Cancer Day credo that will be heard around the world in the lead up to and on 4 February 2025. Its meaning is simple: everyone has unique needs, unique perspectives, and a unique story to tell, yet people touched by cancer are united in a shared ambition to lower the cancer burden, to see cancer treated successfully, and to lead better lives with cancer.

Every experience with cancer is unique and it will take all of us, united, to create a world where we look beyond the disease and see the person before the patient. A world where the needs of people and communities are at the centre of health systems. 

People-centred care accepts everyone for who they are, and it aims to deepen the connection not only between healthcare providers and patients but with whole communities. That’s why World Cancer Day counts on everyone – patients, loved ones, caregivers, friends, neighbours, practitioners, researchers, advocates, allies – to play an important role in the campaign.

The campaign will explore different dimensions of people-centred cancer care and new ways of making a difference. It will offer a three-year journey from raising awareness to taking action.

2025: Your story will be heard

2025: Your story will be heard

The "United by Unique" campaign will begin its journey by inviting individuals from all walks of life to share their personal cancer stories. Much like people-centred care aims to see the individual behind the disease, the campaign intends to showcase real stories with unique perspectives.

Whether it’s someone living with cancer, a family member, a caregiver, a medical professional, an advocate, or an ally, every person’s experience with cancer, the diverse challenges each faces, and how people-centred care could respond to their unique situation. By bringing these stories together into one place, the campaign aims to build a rich collection of voices that serves as a striking illustration of what is meant by “United by Unique”: every person is one of a kind, but no one is alone in the aim to take meaningful and lasting action against cancer. This year is all about recognising and validating each unique experience, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among those affected by cancer.

2026: Your story will change minds

Building on the foundation laid in 2025, the campaign in 2026 will focus on transforming these personal stories into powerful advocacy tools. Now that we’ve seen a wide range of unique perspectives on people-centred care, it’s time to to influence policymakers, healthcare providers, and the broader public about the necessity of integrating people-centred care into national health plans and cancer care strategies.

By highlighting real-life experiences and outcomes, the campaign will strive to shift perspectives and encourage systemic changes that prioritise the holistic needs of people living with cancer. This phase is dedicated to turning individual voices into a collective call for better, more compassionate, and inclusive cancer care.

2027: Your story will drive action

The third and final year of the campaign is dedicated to ensuring that the progress made is sustainable and lasting. This year will focus on fostering new partnerships and strengthening existing ones to embed people-centred care deeply into health systems worldwide.

Through collaboration with various stakeholders, including patient groups, healthcare institutions, and advocacy organisations, the campaign will work towards creating a robust support network that ensures continued access to high-quality, personalised cancer care.

Collaboration and action come in many shapes and sizes, whether it’s a new citizens’ group advocating at the city level or the cultivation of connections between organisations that can help cement our gains and ensure that people-centred care continues to be available for years to come.