World Cancer Day
Celebrated on February 4th all over the world, World Cancer Day is a day that was created to raise awareness about cancer and to encourage people to prevent and detect it, as well as to continue to search for new treatments for it. However, its main goal is to seriously reduce the instances of illness and death by cancer by the year 2020.
World Cancer Day History
The origins of World Cancer Day can be traced all the way back to the Union for International Cancer Control, or UICC, in 1933. This organization, which was created in Geneva, Switzerland, realized there was a need to share knowledge on a global basis. Over the years, it has sought to advance medical knowledge in all areas that relate to cancer. They have also helped to lend support to the development of a wide variety of different cancer institutions and has foster communication between these institutions. Every year they focus on three main areas: the biannual Cancer Congress, World Cancer Leader Summit and World Cancer Day.
The idea for World Cancer Day started at the first World Summit Against Cancer that was held in Paris, France in 2000. During this meeting, representatives from many different worldwide governmental agencies and cancer organizations signed the Charter of Paris Against Cancer Agreement. This charter outlined ten different articles that outline how the global community is committed to improving the quality of life of cancer patients and seeking an end to cancer itself. The tenth article of this charter established the 4th of February as World Cancer Day.
Cancer Awareness Ribbons
- Multi-colored: All cancers
- Lavender: All cancers
- Pink: Breast cancer
- Amber: Appendix cancer
- Grey: Brain cancer
- Gold: Childhood cancer
- Dark Blue: Colon cancer
- Orange: Kidney cancer/Leukemia
- Purple: Pancreatic cancer
- Teal: Ovarian cancer
- Light Blue: Prostate cancer
- White: Lung cancer/Cervical cancer
- Violet: Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Emerald: Liver cancer
- Black: Melanoma cancer
- Yellow: Bone Cancer
- Purple: Bladder cancer
Where is World Cancer Day Celebrated?
There is no specific location where this holiday is celebrated.
Why is World Cancer Day Celebrated?
World Cancer Day targets misinformation, raises awareness, and reduces stigma. Multiple initiatives are run on World Cancer Day to show support for those affected by cancer. One of these movements are #NoHairSelfie, a global movement to have "hairticipants" shave their heads either physically or virtually to show a symbol of courage for those undergoing cancer treatment. Images of participants are then shared all over social media. Hundreds of events around the world also take place.
World Cancer Day Themes
The 2019-2021 campaign theme is 'I Am and I Will'. The theme seeks to counter the negative attitude and fatalistic belief that nothing can be done about cancer, and instead promotes how our personal actions can be powerful and impactful.
In 2016, World Cancer Day started a three-year campaign under the tagline of 'We can. I can.', which explored the power of collective and individual actions to reduce the impact of cancer. Prior to 2016, the campaign themes included "Not Beyond Us" (2015) and "Debunk the Myths" (2014).
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