7.6 million: That’s the number of lives we lose to cancer worldwide every year – more than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. Here at the American Cancer Society, we’re committed to changing this staggering statistic to zero so we can achieve a WORLD with less cancer and more birthdays.
But we’ll need your help to make this world a reality.
On the eve of February 4, the American Cancer Society is lighting the Empire State Building blue and orange to support World Cancer Day. Please join us in showing your support for a WORLD with less cancer and more birthdays this week by “lighting” your Facebook and/or Twitter profile photo blue and orange. Together we have the power to raise our voices and make a statement: ending cancer should be a global health priority.
Click here to “light” your Facebook and/or Twitter profile now.
Cancer is a global disease that has no borders. A cancer survivor from India shares her story with us to highlight why raising awareness about the global cancer fight is so important to her.
In November 2000, I blacked out while volunteering in my son’s classroom. I spent the night in a military hospital where a tumor the size of a ping pong ball was removed from my colon. I had cancer. One year and 3 surgeries, 9 chemotherapies, lost hair, edema, a colostomy, reversal of the colostomy, a deep dark depression, and a month of anti-depressants later, I was well again.
By June 2002, I found my destiny in the form of educating women on early detection, advocating for palliative care across India, and setting up a support group for children with cancer and their families. But this story is not just about me. Although my cancer journey was a blessing that led to better things, this is not the case for the vast majority of people with cancer in my country of India. Our doctors, our scientists, our governments, our organizations, and our media must find ways to work together to fight and defeat cancer worldwide, while caring for the people affected by it.
~Poonam Bagai, India
Visit global.cancer.org to learn more about the fight to end cancer globally, and to get involved. You can also see what communities around the world are doing to mark World Cancer Day at uicc.org/worldcancerday.
How will you mark World Cancer Day? Tell us in the comments section below, and make sure to click here to turn your Facebook or Twitter profile blue and orange to show your support for a WORLD with less cancer and more birthdays.
I wish I could forget that day. It will be 2 years on February 4th that I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I thank the Lord for bringing the best out of the situation. Still getting treatment ……..still going strong!