Students “extend love and care”

Over 500 mastectomy pillows were hand-sewn by students of the Children’s International School and American International School in a show of support to breast cancer survivors. Received on behalf of breast cancer survivors in Nigeria by Run For a Cure Africa at a special World Cancer Day event, the pillows will be distributed to teaching hospitals throughout the country.

Jamaica gets moving

In the Caribbean island nation, the Jamaica Moves campaign – a coordinated response from the Health Ministry and its partners to get more people active – used World Cancer Day to help the nation focus on their health. The activities brought together the whole community to learn more about cancer, to access free health tests, and to participate in physical activity challenges – including a dance-off.

Epic 250km motor rally from Kathmandu raises awareness

An incredible motor rally stretching the 250km from Kathmandu to Pokhara organised by the Nepal Cancer Relief Society took place for the first time, with drivers and cars displaying cancer awareness slogans and messages in an effort to raise cancer awareness.

Shopping for a cause 

During World Cancer Day, young shoppers in Kuala Lumpur had the opportunity to interact with the MAKNA team of patients, volunteers and nurses, as part of an awareness raising exhibition. Clinical breast examinations and basic health tests were also provided free of charge thanks to the joint collaboration between MAKNA, the Ministry of Health and the Great Eastern Mall.

Candles light up the steps of Parliament

The steps of Belgian’s Federal Parliament building were ablaze in candles lit by cancer suvivors and cancer researchers to honour individuals living with cancer and those who have passed from the disease. National cancer society, Fondation Contre le Cancer also used World Cancer Day as an occasion to urge the government to increase investment in cancer research and submitted a memorandum to all political parties which highlighted six key recommendations to boost efforts in national cancer control.

Thousands take part in ‘Hair for Hope: Be the Hope' 

A hair donation campaign “Hair for Hope. Be the Hope” along with a fun run and cycling fundraiser organised by the Indonesian Cancer Foundation for World Cancer Day attracted over 2,000 participants to raise much needed funds and awareness. The Foundation also delivered workshops on healthy lifestyles, early detection, and risk factors for medical doctors.

‘I Am and I Will’ messages inspire commuters

World Cancer Day’s messages accompanied commuters in the Maldives on their bus journey thanks to a partnership between the Cancer Society of Maldives and Maldives Port Limited. Screens on the buses displaying the ‘I Am and I Will’ messages helped to raise cancer awareness, particularly around healthy lifestyles and early detection.

Students form human chain to send an inspiring message

With the help of the D.S. Research Centre, thousands of school students joined the public and cancer survivors in World Cancer Day rallies, walks and activities across India, including in cities Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad. More than 1,500 students turned out to form an impressive human chain with the inspiring message of “Together We Can Fight Cancer” and ‘I Am and I Will’ which could be clearly seen overhead.

Sweden presents
future cancer care plans

At a full day meeting in Stockholm, parliamentarians, politicians, healthcare and patient representatives came together on World Cancer Day where the Minister of Health presented plans on the future cancer care for the nation, addressing the country’s cancer management and treatment, research, access to care, and rehabilitation needs.

Cities shine a light for World Cancer Day

Cities the world over help to mark World Cancer Day each year by lighting up iconic landmarks, monuments and buildings in the colours of orange and blue. From one of the seven wonders of the world, Petra, to the Bophorus Bridge in Istanbul linking Asia and Europe, to architectural wonder of the City of the Arts and Sciences Museum in Valencia, Spain, to the stately Royal Opera House in Muscat, and to the iconic Empire State Building, these cities signal their commitment to the global challenge of cancer.

Bringing experts
together

Global healthcare company, MSD hosted a robust exchange between leading cancer experts from, PATH, the Union for International Cancer Control and the World Health Organization, on actions to improve access to treatment and the quality of life of cancer patients at the national level.

Taking World Cancer Day to the field

The Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society and their partners captured the nation’s attention with a special World Cancer Day-dedicated football match for fans and supporters. Players from both teams sported jerseys emblazoned with the campaign messages, which were given a visible boost with the messages scrolling throughout the match on the perimeter LED screens.

Celebrity Work
Placements

To raise public attention, the Dutch Cancer Society paired celebrities with notable cancer researchers on work placements that ranged from a new vaccine against asbestos cancer to the detection of prostate cancer in urine.

Virtual classrooms
on World Cancer Day

Across India, more than 400 students learned about the cancer risks of tobacco use in a virtual classroom delivered live by experts at the Indian Cancer Society. In 22 schools all over the nation, students were able to ask questions of the experts on topics that ranged from peer pressure to smoke and addiction concerns.

Wearing wigs for 
World Cancer Day

Students, teachers and staff at Epinay Business and Enterprise school got silly with wigs, hairstyles and headgear to raise funds for Cancer Research UK on World Cancer Day.

Focusing on kindness
on World Cancer Day

For World Cancer Day, students at the Ellel St. John’s CE Primary School organised a cake sale and an art competition focused on the theme of showing kindness, raising money for local cancer charity, the Cancer Care and the Brain Tumour Charity.

Getting sporty

Students from eight schools in Qatar took part in a friendly sports competition as part of the many World Cancer Day activities hosted by the Qatar Cancer Society. The sport activities were followed by a Q&A with the students about cancer and healthy lifestyle choices.

MEPs Against Cancer

The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) Members of European Parliament Against Cancer (MAC) used their voices through statements of commitment to bring regional attention to World Cancer Day, reaching decisionmakers all over Europe.

First annual World Cancer Day walk
for Turks & Caicos Islands

The Turks & Caicos Islands’ Ministry of Health organised the Island’s first ever World Cancer Day walk to highlight the importance of physical activity in reducing cancer risk. The early morning walk was followed by a healthy breakfast and information sessions with screening booths.

Free screenings in honour
of World Cancer Day

The Ministry of Brunei Darussalam announced a three-month programme of free cancer screenings for mouth, neck and skin of the head and neck at a number of hospitals kicking off on World Cancer Day.

New cancer centres
announced

Algeria’s Health Minister chose World Cancer Day as the occasion to committing to having four new cancer centres operational by the end of the year, helping to improve capacity and access to critical lifesaving cancer treatment.

Oxford makes it official

In 2015, Oxford became the first UK city council to grant Official Recognition Status to World Cancer Day. As a city committed to cancer research, World Cancer Day provides Oxford with a platform to showcase their work in the area. Each year, the city council organises a public meeting to highlight Oxford’s global contributions to the progress against cancer.

BuzzFeed quiz
on Breast Cancer

Brazilian Breast Cancer organisation, FEMAMA led a World Cancer Day campaign that cut across digital, social and traditional media, including a quiz hosted by BuzzFeed Brazil to test readers on their knowledge of breast cancer, as well as opportunities for FEMAMA’s Facebook followers to send messages of support and hope through their Facebook album.

Driving impact
across borders

Project PINK BLUE’s national World Cancer Day campaign mobilised thousands of supporters – from influencers, artists, governments, businesses to the media - in both Nigeria and Cameroon for their World Cancer Day campaign, including a march in Abuja as well as free cancer screenings which took place across the nation.

World Cancer Day
broadcast to the nation

If you turned on the television in Portugal this past 4 February, you were bound to see the World Cancer Day logo. The Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro invited media across Portugal, including television stations, magazines and newspapers, to display the World Cancer Day logo during their programming or on their magazine covers to reach as many people as possible.

19,000 apples
for World Cancer Day

The King Hussein Cancer Foundation and King Hussein Cancer Centre, launched an awareness campaign “Up to the Challenge?” challenging everyone to make healthy choices. For World Cancer Day, the Foundation and Centre’s staff and volunteers gave out 19,000 apples – a healthy surprise to drivers and pedestrians on their daily commute.

Fun for a cause

Shoppers at two of the busiest malls in Beirut had the unique opportunity to learn more about the importance of routine early detection tests in an immersive experience of puzzles and games. Led by the American University of Beirut and AMALOUNA, shoppers interacted with an inflatable colon model to learn about colorectal cancer and its prevention and spun a “Wheel of Colours” where each colour represented one type of cancer that they were quizzed on.

Going 80’s-style for
World Cancer Day

To help raise awareness, the team at Rethink Breast Cancer set up a pop-up 80’s-style custom phone booth and chatbox at Square One Shopping Mall – the second-largest shopping centre in Canada during World Cancer Day. Shoppers could interact and engage in conversation with the chatbot to learn more information as well as misinformation about breast health and cancer.

Learning on the job

Companies around the world including AT&T, Metro Madrid, Vodafone Qatar, and Qatar Airways used World Cancer Day as an opportunity to engage their own employees and teams by partnering with local cancer organisations to deliver web chats, workshops and awareness talks.

Fundraising
for a cause

With World Cancer Day coinciding with the NFL Super Bowl, Merck took the opportunity to team up with Hall of Fame quarterback and cancer survivor, Jim Kelly to launch the Your Cancer Game Plan Challenge, which connects patients with help, support and coping strategies. For each share of the yourcancergameplan.com portal on social media, Merck also donated $5 to various cancer patient organisations.

Leaders use
their voice

Global biopharmaceutical company, Bristol-Myers Squibb invited their own leaders and experts to use their voices on World Cancer Day. Messages of support, commitment to advancing research, making a difference in patient lives, and of hope radiated from around the world and were amplified on social media.

Shangri-La’s staff
get moving

Staff at the Shangri-La Hotel Suzhou in China were encouraged to mark World Cancer Day through a number of healthy-lifestyle initiatives. Activities included a swimming relay, a healthy lunch and activities and incentives to help quit smoking.

UberHealth delivers

To mark World Cancer Day, peer-to-peer ridesharing company Uber in Kerala, India provided riders with a special discount off a cancer screening package delivered by leading healthcare centre, Aster Medcity.