Map of Activities
The Map of Activities curates all of the activities taking place in and
around the 4 February to show the world the incredible impact that
together we are making.
Find out what's happening near you and join in.
Add your activity
Unite your colleagues, friends, families and local community for World Cancer Day.
Whether a fundraiser, flash mob, or fun run, your activity will raise awareness and make a difference.
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.
Celebrities take over digital screens in Singapore
Singapore Cancer Society filmed celebrities, influencers and supporters putting on their ‘I Am and I Will’ boxing gloves and making a pledge to fight cancer. The star-studded promotional video was broadcasted on giant LED digital screens at two popular tourist destinations.
Colombian Ministry of Health takes to Facebook Live
Garnering over 3,000 views, the Ministry of Health of Colombia hosted a Facebook Live broadcast for World Cancer Day. The broadcast featured a panel of cancer experts, among them including the Director of the National Cancer Institute, who offered a robust discussion around cancer. The experts helped to answer questions about cancer, including its signs and symptoms and ways to reduce cancer risk factors.
Taking over the town square
The Deutsche Krebshilfe in partnership with the Center for Integrated Oncology took over Bonn's main market square this past World Cancer Day. There were opportunities for the public who were curious to learn more about cancer to speak to cancer experts about prevention, healthy lifestyles, therapies as well as
the latest research in cancer. Art therapy and yoga exercises were also among the activities taking place during the event.
Education through an immersive digital experience
An innovative digital campaign captured the attention of the public in Colombia on World Cancer Day as the Colombian League Against Cancer launched their new campaign, “Stomach Cancer, a silent host". Highlighting the importance of prevention and early detection of a disease that affects more than 7,000 Colombians, the campaign launched early morning on World Cancer Day at a popular shopping centre inviting shoppers throughout the day to learn more about how stomach cancer through an immersive experience.
Extendingcounselling support
To mark World Cancer Day, the Slovak Cancer League delivered public lectures as well as special information sessions for workplaces on prevention and screening. Counselling hours offered by the League’s network of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists and other experts were also extended on the day, while information from the National Oncology Institute and Ministry of Health were distributed widely to hospitals and the League’s network of psychologists to raise further awareness of cancer among healthcare professionals.