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Throughout the year, we celebrate and acknowledge a lengthy list of cancer awareness days. These days are extremely powerful, however sometimes the message gets diluted while competing against equally significant awareness dates. In 2000, The Union for International Cancer Control created World Cancer Day – an international uniting initiative. This movement, celebrated on the fourth of February each year, is the one day in which the entire world works together to raise awareness, improve education, and push for personal, collective, and government action. This powerful effort is an important opportunity to reimagine a world where millions of preventable cancer deaths are saved and access to life-saving cancer treatment and care is equal for all – no matter where in the world one may be.

So, how exactly does one participate in World Cancer Day?

Nearly every pocket of the world typically celebrates World Cancer Day with various types of events. Participating in these events can be empowering, fun, and an incredible opportunity to learn. However, with the infamous pandemic still running rampant in many parts of the globe, some areas may see fewer events than normal. Luckily, there are still fantastic ways to participate in this important day. The National Foundation for Cancer Research challenges YOU to participate in these three challenges in honor of World Cancer Day.

1. Become a role model for a cancer-free lifestyle

The internet is flooded with influencers pushing a product or message that is important to them. Read up on ways in which to prevent cancer, implement these strategies, and preach them to the world! Not sure where to start? NFCR has endless resources and tips for living a cancer-free lifestyle in their Cancer Prevention Blog. Here readers can keep up-to-date with current screening guidelines, how COVID-19 impacts screenings, the impact of diet and exercise on cancer, and much more.

2. Support those who are affected by cancer

Living with cancer is often emotionally and physically taxing even in the best of times. Managing cancer amidst a pandemic has proven to be even more challenging. As cancer patients are considered high-risk, they feel the effects of social isolation resulting from the pandemic ten-fold. Family members, especially those who are caregivers, also feel the strain of the pandemic as they reduce their own social interaction to keep their loved ones safe. NFCR challenges those who know someone affected by cancer to reach out with a phone call, letter, or email. The conversation can be as simple as saying hello through to offering assistance with transportation or errands. For those who do not know someone affected by cancer, NFCR challenges you to support a stranger. An easy way to do this is through a pen pal program. Using programs like the Cancer Pen Pal or the TRF Pen Pal Program connects people with cancer patients interested in receiving letters. This is not only a unique way to bring a smile to someone’s face, but also to help patients express emotions.

3. Support Cancer Research

Supporting cancer research is one of the best ways to combat cancer and to make a significant impact in the lives of patients and their families. The more researchers discover about cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, the closer the world gets to a cure. NFCR funds some of the world’s most renowned oncology researchers working across all forms of cancer. NFCR has distinguished itself in the cancer research sector by emphasizing long-term, transformative research often overlooked by other major funding sources. As such, donations to NFCR are invested in high-risk/high-reward research to accelerate basic discoveries and support breakthroughs through the translational phase, driving real impact in patient treatment and diagnostic options. Your support will help NFCR researchers save the lives of millions.

To see how donations are used at NFCR, please review our impact chart. And make your generous World Cancer Day donation here.

Additional Reads You May Enjoy:

5 Simple Ways to Make a Difference on World Cancer Day

Cancer Research Applied to Develop COVID-19 Treatment Strategies

We Are Stronger Than the Cancer: Maria’s Story

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