More than 12 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer and eight million will die from the disease each year. To address this global cancer burden, the LAF will join with local partners, organizations and world leaders to achieve three major goals.
- Together we will end the stigma of cancer and turn cancer victims into cancer survivors.Millions of people around the world suffer from cancer in isolation, victims not only of the disease but of social stigma. For all too many, a diagnosis of cancer can result in ostracism from colleagues, friends and even family, and cancer becomes a shameful condition that must be hidden. This stigma leads to a lack of early detection, failure to seek treatment and an increase in cancer mortality.
- Together we will build an international grassroots movement that will take cancer from isolation to collaboration.Research shows increased mortality is often caused by a lack of resources and knowledge related to cancer awareness, screening, prevention, treatment and care. However, a third of cancers could be cured if detected early and treated adequately.
- Together with world leaders, we will transform cancer from obscurity to priority.Cancer kills more people than malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS combined. However, many governments devote few resources to fighting cancer and collect little information about its causes and effects.
What Can You Do?
1. Help Relieve the Global Cancer Burden Donate to help support global cancer initiatives.
2. Sign the World Cancer Declaration Sign the World Cancer Declaration endorsed by the UICC World Cancer Congress 2008.
3. Watch Lance Armstrong at the Clinton Global Initiative Learn more about the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Initiative, some of Lance Armstrong's professional cycling plans and LAF efforts to promote cancer awareness internationally.
4. Purchase LIVESTRONG Wristbands Support the millions of cancer survivors worldwide.
5. Make a Commitment to Fight Cancer Sign up to learn how you, your organization and your country can join with the LAF in the global fight against cancer.
Why Now?
While we still have many challenges to address in the cancer fight, we've had significant achievements in the U.S. over the past decade.
- As a result of the LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum and the LIVESTRONG Town Hall on Cancer both U.S. presidential candidates, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, have committed to greater funding and a renewal of the war against cancer before the election.
- In May 2008, Lance Armstrong testified on Capitol Hill about the toll cancer takes on Americans. The Senate is working on legislation, the Kennedy-Hutchison Cancer Bill, that will help overhaul America's war against cancer.
- In recent years, many major U.S. cities, 24 states and the District of Columbia are helping to protect citizens from the number one cause of cancer with comprehensive smoke-free policies. In 2007, the LAF supported Proposition 15, a Texas initiative to invest $3 billion in cancer research, prevention, treatment and care.
Join us. We're building momentum to relieve the cancer burden around the world. Unite and fight cancer—globally.
