LIVESTRONG(R) Welcomes Renowned Partners to Its Global Cancer Campaign Efforts in South Africa
- American Cancer Society, Campaigning for Cancer and John Snow, Inc. Lend Valuable Expertise to LIVESTRONG's Efforts to Fight Cancer in South Africa With Two New Initiatives
The American Cancer Society and Campaigning for Cancer, two organizations with expertise in the African cancer fight, will join LIVESTRONG in leading the Survivor Empowerment Initiative (SEI), which brings together decision makers, clinicians, media, advocates and survivors to work towards a system of care that puts the survivor first.
“Cancer is projected to become the leading cause of death worldwide this year,” said LIVESTRONG president and CEO Doug Ulman. “Without global cooperation, these numbers could triple by 2030. LIVESTRONG is taking action to reverse this trend, but we‘re not naive enough to think we can go into battle against cancer alone. That’s why we‘ve enlisted the help of the best in the business. We’re incredibly excited about our partnerships with the American Cancer Society, Campaigning for Cancer and John Snow, Inc. and are eager to get to work.”
LIVESTRONG selected South Africa as a target country for its collaborative work to combat stigma because research revealed that this nation has both a significant cancer burden and significant level of stigma:
-- Between 1993 and 2005, deaths due to all cancers in women in South Africa increased by more than 80%
-- Between 1993 and 2005, deaths due to all cancers in men in South Africa increased by 45%
-- Rates of cervical cancer incidence in South Africa are among the highest on the continent
By partnering with local cancer organizations and encouraging survivors to tell their stories, LIVESTRONG -- in conjunction with its accomplished South African partners -- will offer the knowledge and resources they need to successfully confront fears and misconceptions. Through a four-pronged approach that includes mass media, community outreach, events and public relations, LIVESTRONG
and JSI will promote survivor stories to raise awareness at the national and community levels about cancer and the stigma associated with it. JSI contributes its vast experience, globally and in sub-Saharan Africa, in tackling stigma-related issues on a number of health problems including cancer, TB and HIV to address the particular needs of cancer survivors in South Africa.
“We are delighted about the new partnership between LIVESTRONG and JSI, which brings together a leading cancer advocacy organization and a leading public health firm to address the issue of cancer stigma in South Africa and worldwide,” said JSI president Joel Lamstein. “This is a unique opportunity for both LIVESTRONG and JSI to combine our collective expertise to raise awareness and discuss the impact of this disease.”
The powerful partnership formed by LIVESTRONG, the Society and Campaigning for Cancer to launch the Survivor Empowerment Initiative will turn statistics into stories, bring visibility to gaps in cancer
control and highlight the need for cancer to be a stronger priority on South Africa's health agenda. The SEI launches in early May with a two-day training bringing together survivors, advocates and NGO
leaders from all over South Africa to collaborate and discuss the most crucial issues the nation faces in advocating for cancer survivor needs to decision makers. Working closely with local partners, Campaigning for Cancer will hold a national forum at the end of the year to raise these issues to national awareness in order to call the South African government to action on changing policies that will support cancer survivors.
This is the latest in a series of recent collaborations between LIVESTRONG and the American Cancer Society, and represents a continuation of the Society's work in Africa, where it has been providing support to cancer control NGOs for the past five years. Last November, the Society supported the largest African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) conference on the continent.
“The American Cancer Society is working to save lives from cancer and create not just a nation, but a world with less of this disease. To do that, it is so important that we collaborate with organizations like LIVESTRONG and Campaigning for Cancer,” said John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. “I am confident that together, by working on projects like this Survivor Empowerment Initiative, we can have a significant impact on the growing cancer pandemic and help empower an army of cancer survivors worldwide to defeat this disease.”
“Campaigning for Cancer is extremely proud to have been selected as the lead agency for the global pilot of the Survivor Empowerment Initiative in South Africa,” said Campaigning for Cancer, founder and
spokesperson Samantha Galliet. "Initiatives such as SEI are sorely needed in South Africa. There is an urgent need to create a movement of cancer survivors who will strive to advance the cancer policies of
our country and at the same time better all cancer survivors' lives."
About the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign
In September 2008, Lance Armstrong, LIVESTRONG founder and chairman, cancer survivor and champion cyclist, announced LIVESTRONG's commitment to making cancer a global priority at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York. LIVESTRONG made this commitment after its worldwide research, conducted over 18 months, revealed widespread misconceptions, stigma and lack of awareness associated with cancer and recognized an immediate need to address this global epidemic. In response, the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign was established.
In 2009, LIVESTRONG launched the first-ever unified global movement against cancer by urging world leaders, leading cancer organizations and cancer survivors to join its effort. After traveling to
Australia, Mexico, Italy, Monaco, France and Ireland in its inaugural year, the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign achieved significant results generating more than 300 commitments to the fight against
cancer. These commitments represent work in more than 60 countries around the world and an investment in cancer control of more than $200 million in year one alone.
In 2010, LIVESTRONG is continuing its trail-blazing efforts to reduce the burden of cancer by tackling the stigma that the surrounds the disease. The Global Campaign launched in South Africa in March with a visit by Armstrong to Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town to meet with fellow survivors.
Great work is already underway by South African cancer groups and LIVESTRONG has established robust relationships with key partners. The LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign has received 11 commitments to cancer control from 10 different South African cancer organizations: The Breast Health Foundation (BHF), BreastSens, Campaigning for Cancer, The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), CHOC - Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa, Cause Marketing Fundraisers, Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa (HPCA), People Living With Cancer, Reach for Recovery South Africa and South African Medical Research Council.
About LIVESTRONG
Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong and based in Austin, Texas, LIVESTRONG fights for the 28 million people around the world living with cancer today. LIVESTRONG connects individuals to the support they need, leverages funding and resources to spur innovation and engages communities and leaders to drive social change. Known for the iconic yellow wristband, LIVESTRONG's mission is to inspire and empower anyone affected by cancer. For more information, visit www.LIVESTRONG.org.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. As a global grassroots force of three million volunteers, we fight
for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping you stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, helping you get well by being there for you during and
after a diagnosis, by finding cures through groundbreaking discovery and fighting back through public policy. As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4
billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays
this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
About Campaigning for Cancer
Campaigning for Cancer is an advocacy organization formed in 2008 to give South African patients and those affected by cancer a voice. Campaigning for Cancer lobbies for the promotion and protection of
the rights of all South Africans with regards to cancer policy, healthcare costs and healthcare delivery, regardless of age, gender, insurance or health status, religion, social or economic background. The organization seeks to ensure dialogue amongst role-players and facilitate solutions in a manner that ensures that all stakeholder positions are considered and that the cancer patient's voice is
heard. For more information, please visit www.campaign4cancer.co.za.
About John Snow, Inc.
John Snow, Inc. (JSI), one of the largest public health research and consulting firms, is dedicated to promoting and improving the health of individuals and communities in the United States and around the
world. JSI collaborates with regional, national and international partners to build local capacity to address critical health problems. Through management assistance, research and evaluation, health
promotion and education, JSI supports NGOs and ministries of health in host countries in providing culturally appropriate services in an efficient, effective and compassionate manner as well as in raising
health awareness and increasing demand by communities, households and individuals for improved health services. For more information, please visit www.jsi.com.
Lance Armstrong Foundation 개요
Lance Armstrong Foundation은 현재 암에 걸려있는 전세계의 약 2천800만 명의 사람들을 위해 진단 단계부터 향후 환자들이 암과의 투쟁을 하는 데 필요한 자원과 지원을 제공하려고 노력하고 있다.
웹사이트: http://www.livestrong.org
연락처
Rae Bazzarre
LIVESTRONG
(512) 279-8367
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Andrew Becker
American Cancer Society
(212) 237-3899
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Christine Claypoole
John Snow, Inc.
(617) 482-9485
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Samantha Galliet
Campaigning for Cancer
+27 (0) 83 629 1024
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