The Global Fight Against Cancer

Outstanding Leaders Receive Awards and Additional Funding for Lifesaving Programs

Jack Shipkoski, (CEO, South Atlantic Division), with award winners Dr. Marcelo Navajas,

Mirta Molinari, JD, and Samiran Das+

On 8 June 2005, several remarkable cancer control leaders were honored at the Society's national headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The award winners included Dr. Marcelo Navajas and Dr. Willy Mollenido of the Fundación Boliviana Contra el Cancer (Bolivia Cancer Foundation), Dr. Mirta Molinari of the Argentine Union Against Tobacco, and Mr. Samiran Das of the Saktipada Das Memorial Foundation in India. The South Atlantic Division was also honored for its work with the Bolivia Cancer Foundation. Each of the award recipients received additional funding and training to continue their important work in the global fight against cancer.

Society Grantees Lead Tobacco Control Charge in South America

 

Uruguay President Tabare Vazquez meets Sinead Jones of the UICC. Others: Eduardo Bianco (far left), Patrizia Sosa, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Sylviane Ratte, National Cancer Institute, France, Laura Salgado, Honduras(far right)

Society tobacco control grantees Eduardo Bianco, MD, and Mirta Molinari, JD, participated in high profile South American tobacco control workshops held in August 2005 in Uruguay and Argentina. Together with Tom Glynn, PhD, Senior Director of International Cancer Control for the Society, UICC (International Union Against Cancer) Tobacco Control Director Sinead Jones, PhD, and nongovernmental organizations around the world, this group presented senior members of the government with compelling arguments for the ratification and enforcement of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The FCTC is the world’s first global public health treaty, and contains measures to reduce the devastating global health burden of tobacco. The treaty, negotiated by members of the World Health Organization, has been ratified by over 80 nations. Attendees in these workshops included the President of Uruguay, the Health Minister of Argentina, senior government and health officials, and members of the public and civil society. These workshops received significant television, print, and radio coverage, and they will be instrumental in achieving FCTC objectives throughout the region.

Society Awards 17 Global Tobacco Control Grants

The American Cancer Society, Cancer Research UK, and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) announced a second round of grants for tobacco control advocates in South America, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and Africa.  The first round of this grant program began in 2003.  The 17 grants of up to $10,000 each will support advocates in targeted countries who are promoting their governments’ participation in the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Grantees will use the funding in strategic projects aimed at ratification, implementation and enforcement of the treaty. Recipients were awarded grants in the following countries: Argentina, Armenia, Bangladesh,Georgia, Honduras, India, Ivory Coast, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda, Uruguay, and Vietnam. Many of these countries lack strong tobacco control regulations, which the FCTC is designed to change.

Relay For Life Summit Hosts International Cancer Leagues

International cancer leagues attend Relay For Life Summit in Phoenix, Arizona

On 10 August 2005, nine countries joined the American Cancer Society in its annual Relay For Life summit held in Phoenix, Arizona. Cancer league representatives and volunteers from Australia, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and South Africa attended general sessions and breakouts on best practices for Relay events. The country representative also received intensive training from Ohio volunteer Mimi Hable and gave updates on the progress of Relay in their countries. Other than Brazil, which will launch in the spring of 2006, each country has already realized impressive results. The international attendees benefited from interacting with the Divisions, learning how to improve the "5Ds" of Relay, and experiencing the power and energy of the dedicated event staff, volunteers, and survivors. Nineteen countries, including the United States, currently hold Relay For Life events.

American Cancer Society University Trains Scholars in Sao Paolo, Brazil

Scholars from the American Cancer Society University in Sao Paolo, Brazil

A successful American Cancer Society University (ACSU) was held in Sao Paolo, Brazil, in June 2005.  Many returning scholars gave progress reports and received feedback and additional training based on projects they undertook after previous ACSU trainings held in Austin, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to past participants from Argentina, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela, new participants joined from Paraguay and the Bahamas.  Scholars reported that the training, feedback, and interactive exercises will help them improve program outreach and results. An American Cancer Society University is planned for September 2005 in Beijing, China, with a focus on patient advocacy and tobacco control. California faculty for this ACSU will include David Veneziano, Chief Operating Officer, California Division, and volunteer Nancy Brakensiek. 

Germany Launches Relay For Life

German running team at Relay For Life in Eckernförde, Germany

On 13 and 14 August 2005, Germany held its first Relay For Life event called "Lauf Ins Leben," in the northern town of Eckernförde, Germany. Lauf ins Leben, or "Walk into Life," was a well-organized event with 23 teams of survivors, friends and families, hospitals, the local government (including the town Bürgermeister or mayor), schools, the army, businesses, running clubs, and Nordic walking groups. The participants gathered at a local school, the Schulzentrum Süd, to kick of fthe 21-hour event.  Thirty-five survivors walked the first lap, and 200 luminarias burned brightly, withstanding heavy wind and rain throughout the night. More than 300 participants enjoyed folk, country, and rock music, as well as face painting, human table soccer games, and a performance by local cheerleaders. The local cancer league, called the Schleswig-Holsteinische Krebsgeschellschaft, raised more than 12,000 Euros for their cancer programs and services.