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February 4th is honored around the globe as World Cancer Day. It is recognized as a day to officially focus on raising awareness about cancer, its prevention and detection, and the continued advancements of new treatments in cancer research, as well as supporting the improved quality-of-life efforts for cancer patients. This internationally celebrated day was first conceived back in 2000 at the first World Summit Against Cancer, which was held in Paris, France. It was founded by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to promote the objectives of the World Cancer Declaration, and to be a yearly reminder of all that the declaration stands for.
This year, the theme is - I AM AND I WILL
Meaning -
I AM an individual, a business, a teacher, a government ...
I WILL make an impact, learn more, give generously, spread the word ...
The call is to - "Create a future without cancer. The time to act is now."
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
I'll follow my question with another question.
Did you know that nearly one out of three people will get cancer during their lifetime?
That scary statistic makes it a little more personal, doesn't it? It kinda gets right to the heart of WHY you, me and that poor, unfortunate "third guy" should care - a lot.
I was taking a natural healing course (one of my passions) a few years ago, and the instructor asked the class, of about 25 people, for a show of hands if they, or someone they knew, had been touched by cancer.
Only one person kept their hand down.
And it wasn't me. I've never forgotten that purely anecdotal, yet powerful survey. I have known far too many people that have been hit by the "Big C.", including my own husband, who suffered a melanoma scare several years ago (all good now - TG!). I have also lost one very special soul to it. Just yesterday, my cousin sent out a facebook post, sharing her cancer diagnosis. Just as I was beginning to write this blog. Sobering.
So, if you had been in that class with me, would you have raised your hand?
If you said yes, then I know you will "get" how important World Cancer Day is. How critical it is to sustain the momentum of this cause, and to keep it energized with our efforts, actions and VOICES.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Here are a few ideas on how you can get involved:
- Spread awareness and help dispel myths and misinformation. Knowledge is power. Get educated on the latest cancer facts and then GetSocial. Spread the word to your family, friends and followers (This is my personal "get involved" action plan).
- Encourage prevention and risk reduction. At least one third of all cancers are preventable. Genetics may load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger. Champion healthy choices and prevention strategies (Ok - I also "get involved" with this one, too. DAILY!)
- GIVE BACK. Make a donation. Of time, of money of both. As an individual and business, consider how you and ask your business, how to make giving back to nonprofit organizations who are actively working to end cancer - Pledgeling has thousands of organizations listed HERE.
Well, I hope that if you had been in that class with me, that you would have been able to keep your hand down. I hope you are one of the lucky ones, as yet untouched by this indiscriminate monster. If you are, I rejoice with you, but I suggest that being "lucky" might be an even bigger motivation to care, to add your support to World Cancer Day on February 4th, 2019.
SO, who are you, and what will you do this February 4th? Will you be the reason more people will be able to keep their hands down in the future?
YOU ARE and YOU CAN!
Join in the fight - "Because together we can create change".
Pledgeling is committed to the passion of purpose and helping companies big and small simply and easily give back while growing their business. Contact us and let’s talk about you can join the over 3,000 business leaders who have taken the #PledgeToDoGood.
If you own a Shopify store, download GIVE & GROW from the Shopify App Store HERE – it only takes about 5 minutes to get started and enabling your business to grow through giving.