World Cancer Day 2014 was a huge success!

We would like to take a moment to thank our members for joining the 2014 World Cancer Day campaign and helping us "Debunk the Myths" about cancer! 

World Cancer Day 2014 proved to be a really successful opportunity to raise our collective voices in the name of improving general knowledge around cancer and dismissing misconception about the disease. This would not have been possible without your continued support and efforts which we are extremely grateful for!

Here are a few highlights from some of our members's activities during the day:

Latin America

Asociación Mexicana de Lucha contra el Cáncer  - Mexico

La Asociación Mexicana de Lucha contra el Cáncer along with its partners (La Red contra el Cáncer, the Metro system, the Secretary of Health in Mexico City, the Metropolitan University) is celebrating World Cancer Day during the whole month of February. On 4 February in each of the 28 metro stations of Mexico city, volunteers from the Red contra el Cáncer distributed information about cancer including information about the myths and tips to combat the disease. The opening ceremony of the event took place in one of the biggest metro stations, the “Estación del Zócalo”, with the presence of authorities from the Secretary of Health and other partners. During the opening ceremony, a wall painting was unveiled and will be displayed throughout the month of February. The painting was lead by artist Jaime Vielma with graphic designer students from the University.

 

North America

The George Washington University Cancer Institute - United States

Students, faculty, and staff were invited to initiate a new healthier lifestyle as a way of preventing cancer by choosing healthy goals to stick to for a week. Those who track and complete their goals will be entered to win prizes such as group fitness classes, personal training, and health coach consults from the GW Lerner Health and Wellness Center.

 

Europe

UNICANCER - France

The UNICANCER Group celebrated various activities across its cancer centres such as Panel Discussions on Patients and Clinical Trials; charity dinners to raise awareness about the progress and needs of cancer research; a press release; fitness evening, among others.

League Against Cancer Prague - Czech Republic

The League, in collaboration with the Czech Medical Society JEP and the Society of General Practice of the CMA, held a Symposium for the Prevention of Lung Cancer.

 

Africa

Uganda Women's Cancer Support Organization (UWOCASO) - Uganda

UWOCASO, in collaboration with the Uganda Cancer Institute, used media as a strategy to continue raising awareness about breast and cervical cancer in Uganda. They published articles in local newspapers and will participate in a radio talkshow this month.

Mathiwos Wondu-YeEthiopia Cancer Society - Ethiopia

They participated in a meeting with the First Lady of Ethiopia, Her Excellency Mrs Roman Tesfaye, high level officials and major stakeholders, working to prevent and control cancer. One of the major outcomes of this meeting was the creation of a National Cancer Committee headed by the First Lady.

 

Eastern Mediterranean

Bahrain Cancer Society - Bahrain

Launched a national awareness campaign "Choose Life, Get Screened" that will be implemented throughout the year. The campaign aims to encourage people to schedule regular medical screening appointments and to follow a healthy life style. The main goal is to contribute to the detection of cancer, if any, in its early stages.

Lebanese Cancer Society - Lebanon

The Board of Administration had a press conference to talk about the Epidemiology Annual Report by the National Cancer Registry for the 2008 and 2009, the results of the awareness campaign launched last October 2013, and the recent achievements made in Palliative Care with the contribution of the Lebanese Cancer Society. Also, they managed to have three TV talk shows to talk about recent progress against cancer nationally

 

South-East Asia

A.K. Khan Healthcare Trust - Pakistan

They diffused ‘debunk the myths’ messaging through local TV and radio broadcast.

Tata Memorial Hospital - India

They held various activities that included: Public lectures by the Department of Preventive Oncology, a press release, a free check up of approximately 1,500 women to cover World Cancer Day & International Women's Day, and participated in the Zee TV News programme - Health - Wealth, Topic: Cancer Prevention on 2nd February.

 

Western Pacific

Formosa Cancer Foundation (FCF) - Republic of China

In support of UICC World Cancer Day, the Formosa Cancer Foundation (FCF) launched “5 Easy Ways to Keep Cancer Away” Campaign to encourage people carrying out 5 basic principles into their daily life which include (1) adequate intake of fruits and vegetable with color variety (2) do regular exercise, (3) control body weight (4) quit smoking and avoid second hand smoke, (5) take regular screening.

The campaign includes year-long projects shown as follows:

1. Elementary School Education
2. Urge to take regular free screening offered by the government which cover the screening of breast, cervical, colorectal and oral cancer
3. Establish the environment–friendly community to implement healthy life styles through community seminars, community supermarket to promote eating healthy etc.
4. Widespread the campaign message through social network, digital communication and media

Samoa Cancer Society -  Samoa

To mark World Cancer Day 2014, the Samoa Cancer Society organised a WORLD CANCER DAY Public Forum on the theme “Debunking Myths” that was attended by the Samoan community, health and medical professionals as well as stakeholders of the Samoa Cancer Society. Public Radio Programs designed to reach the rural community in Samoa were conducted prior to the public forum on 4 February. Locally renowned speakers focused on the four campaign myths during the forum.

 

We look forward to featuring more activities through future news stories as well as through the 2014 World Cancer Day Campaign Report, so if you haven't already, please send us a message describing your activities, the press coverage you received, as well as any photos of the event, and/or some examples of the materials you produced on the occasion. Please send these to: communication@uicc.org

We look forward to start working with you in the lead up to World Cancer Day 2015!

Read the Members' Press Releases here.

Learn what other organisations did on World Cancer Day on the Map of Events accessible here.