World Cancer Day 2024 #CloseTheCareGap

World Cancer Day, on February 4th, is a crucial initiative by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to tackle the global cancer epidemic. The multi-year campaign addresses the critical issues, aligns stakeholders, and aims for a unified voice in the face of the complex global health landscape, particularly during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. In an environment saturated with international health awareness days, it is crucial to rise above the noise and unite voices. Creating a universal theme that excites member participation while resonating in the current global health crisis posed a challenge, yet the campaign strives to achieve a unified, meaningful, and impactful voice.

World Cancer Day transcends a single day, aiming to inspire enduring change. The 'Close the Care Gap' campaign spanned three years for increased exposure, engagement, and global awareness. We broke it up into a three-step narrative:

2022: Realizing Inequities

Messaging focused on recognizing global cancer care inequities and challenged assumptions about barriers such as income, education, location, and discrimination. We urged that everyone questions the status quo by listening to lived experiences. The messaging aimed to show that a fairer future with better access to health services for everyone is possible.

2023: Uniting Voices and Action

The second year focused on strengthening the campaign by uniting with like-minded individuals, organisations and by building new alliances.

There is already a lot of progress when it comes to addressing inequities and while more needs to be done we celebrated real-world progress to inspire the community and to leverage momentum for fairness. We encouraged individuals to act, from community support to advocating for healthier options. We in invited the community to take part in the 5k Challenge.

2024: Challenging Power for Global Impact

For the last year, we took it to the highest level. Literally. We called on governments around the world to promote health equity, enhance cancer service accessibility, reduce disparities in cancer incidence and mortality, and to finally close the care gap. We mobilized everyone to sign and send a letter to their own health minister via an online petition platform.