City Cancer Challenge (C/Can)

The launch of City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) was a coordinated response to the urgent need to support resource-limited countries in reducing their growing cancer burden. It was also a recognition of the untapped potential of taking an integrated approach to three of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), health, sustainable cities and partnerships for the goals.

C/Can became a standalone Swiss foundation in January 2019 and continues to operate in close collaboration with UICC’s network of over 1,000 members in 160 countries, representing the world’s major cancer societies, as well as patient groups, influential policymakers, researchers and experts.

Its mission is to create a global community of cities and partners working together to design, plan and implement cancer solutions to save lives. 

This approach is built on the core principle that cities can drive impact at national level by crafting data-driven solutions with the support of a network of global, regional, and local partners that reflect an understanding of the unique local context. By uniting the global cancer community, and moreover, building local communities C/Can is aiming to place people at the centre of cancer control.

This locally-driven approach, combined with a unique partnership model that harnesses the power of public-private partnerships, is championing a new way of working with a network of now more than 50 partners who are bringing technical assistance and complementary resources to our cities.