WORLD CANCER DAY (2023) | HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN WORLD CANCER DAY

Every year, World Cancer Day falls on February 4th and serves as a reminder of the need to come together to fight the disease. This year is especially important, since it marks 10 years since World Cancer Day was first launched in 2013.

In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the progress made in the fight against cancer over the past decade, and what more needs to be done for World Cancer Day 2023. From prevention to treatment, research and development, and policy reform – let’s take a look at what has been achieved so far and what still needs to be done.

Table of Contents

What is World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day is an annual event that takes place on February 4th to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. The day also serves as a platform to remember those who have lost their lives to cancer.
World Cancer Day was founded by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 2000 and is now marked in over 100 countries around the world.
Every year, World Cancer Day has a different theme and this year’s focus is on “I am and I will” which encourages everyone to take action against cancer in their own way.
There are many ways you can get involved with World Cancer Day, from sharing your story or fundraising, to attending events or simply spreading the word online with the hashtag #WorldCancerDay

The History of World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day is an international day celebrated on February 4th to increase understanding about cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. The day also provides an opportunity for people around the world to unite in the fight against cancer.

The first World Cancer Day was observed on February 4, 2000. The idea for World Cancer Day came from the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), which is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The UICC’s goal was to have one specific day where people all over the world could come together to show their support for cancer patients and their families, as well as to raise awareness about cancer prevention and early detection.

Since its inception, World Cancer Day has grown tremendously. In 2015, over 1,000 events were held in more than 100 countries around the world to mark World Cancer Day. And each year, more and more people are getting involved in observing this important day.

Why World Cancer Day is Important

World Cancer Day is a global initiative to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. The day also provides an opportunity for people affected by cancer to unite under the common goal of creating a cancer-free world.

Since its inception in 2000, World Cancer Day has grown to become one of the most widely recognized health days in the world. In 2018, over 1,000 events were held across the globe to mark World Cancer Day. This year’s theme is ‘I Am and I Will’ which highlights the power that each individual has to take action against cancer.

As the most preventable cause of death worldwide, cancer claims the lives of 8.2 million people each year. However, it is estimated that up to 30-50% of cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.

In addition to raising awareness about cancer prevention, World Cancer Day also aims to reduce disparities in access to early diagnosis, treatment, and care services. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 70% of deaths from cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries where health systems are not equipped to handle the burden of disease.

By coming together on World Cancer Day and taking action against cancer, we can make a real difference in the fight against this disease.

How You Can Get Involved in World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day is an opportunity for people all over the world to unite in the fight against cancer. There are many ways you can get involved and show your support on this day.

Here are some ideas:

Organize or take part in a local World Cancer Day event. This could be a walk, run, bake sale, dress-down day at work or school, or anything else you can think of.
Spread the word about World Cancer Day on social media using the hashtag #WorldCancerDay.
Make a donation to a cancer charity of your choice.
Wear a Unity Band™ or other item of World Cancer Day merchandise to show your support. You can purchase these from the official website (worldcancerday.org).
Educate yourself and others about cancer – the more we know, the better equipped we are to prevent it and support those affected by it.

Creative Ways to Support World Cancer Day

With World Cancer Day just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how you can show your support. Here are some creative ideas to get you started:

Make a donation to a cancer charity.
Have a bake sale and donate the proceeds to a cancer charity.
Wear a ribbon or piece of jewelry in support of those affected by cancer.
Hold a fundraiser event and donate the money raised to a cancer charity.
Share your story or someone else’s story about how cancer has affected your life on social media using the hashtag #WorldCancerDay.
Write a blog post, create a video, or design an infographic in support of World Cancer Day and share it on social media using the hashtag #WorldCancerDay.
Purchase “I Support World Cancer Day” merchandise from partnering retailers (a portion of the proceeds will be donated to cancer charities).
Spread awareness by sharing facts and statistics about cancer with your friends and family members.

Conclusion

World Cancer Day is a time to reflect on how far we have come in our efforts to fight cancer and to continue pushing forward for even greater progress. Together, with the right support and initiatives, we can create an environment where every person living with or affected by cancer gets the care they need. We must stand together in solidarity against this disease and work towards making sure that everyone has access to accurate information about prevention, early detection and treatments for all types of cancers. Let’s keep fighting until no one has to suffer from this horrible illness ever again!