To raise awareness in the global community about cancer, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) organizes the World Cancer Day on February 4 every year. This year World Cancer Day will see its 20th anniversary, and the theme is “I am and I will”, which highlights the value of every individual to fight against cancer.
The first World Cancer Day was celebrated on February 04, 2000, after the World Cancer Summit, in Paris.
The charter of Paris was signed against cancer to prevent, promote research and improve patient service. The document charter of Paris was signed in between the French President Jacques Chirac and UNESCO General Director at that time, Koichiro Matsuura. Organizers believe that this day is really important because about more than 76 million people die every year due to cancer.
This year’s theme- “I am and I will” acknowledges that everyone has the capacity to act in the face of cancer and can fight against it. To promote greater equity in order to reduce the global cancer burden, the UICC aims at uniting and supporting the cancer community every year. Different organizations also work towards strengthening cancer laws across the world and promote cancer awareness across the globe.
On the 4 February cities and landmarks across the world 🌎 will light up 💡 in orange and blue to commemorate #WorldCancerDay.
— Union for International Cancer Control (@uicc) February 2, 2020
Keep a look out 👀 and share your pictures with us.#IAmAndIWill@CancerStratCA pic.twitter.com/rSXlMoEyDH
To commemorate World Cancer Day, UICC also posted on its Twitter handle that some of the most important landmarks across the globe would “light up in orange and blue”.
The #WorldCancerDay 20-year timeline highlights just a few of the many achievements made over last two decades, and shows that progress really is possible.https://t.co/YW6I3THH6m
— Union for International Cancer Control (@uicc) February 2, 2020
The UICC also founded the McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer in 2012, which is the first and only centre of its kind and aims at advancing law to fight cancer.
Despite the fact that many cancers are preventable through control of tobacco use and diet, Cancer still continues as an important contributor to the global burden of disease worldwide. The use of tobacco causes millions of new cancers and cancer deaths each year, all over the globe.
Each campaign year, #WorldCancerDay Champion partners like @sanofi help make our work possible every day.#IAmAndIWill pic.twitter.com/jxw4j8A350
— Union for International Cancer Control (@uicc) February 2, 2020
Cover Image Source- Twitter@uicc
