The Global Fight Against Cancer

Cancer Research UK and the American Cancer Society Strengthen Global Partnership

Senior Staff from Cancer Research UK and the American Cancer Society

Senior American Cancer Society leadership recently met with leaders of Cancer Research UK (CRUK) to discuss the ongoing collaboration and joint programs between the two organizations, as well as to explore future projects. Currently, the Society and CRUK sponsor International Union Against Cancer (UICC) research, advocacy, and technology grants for tobacco control experts around the world. CRUK was the first international cancer league to launch Relay For Life®, an event that has been instrumental in raising survivorship awareness in the nation. In 2005, 15 Relay For Life events were held across the UK, raising an estimated £350,000 to fight cancer in local communities. The CRUK leaders who participated in the meeting included Alex Markham, chief executive; Harpal Kumar, chief operating officer; Maxine Taylor, executive director, policy and communications; and Richard Davidson, director of policy.

Glasgow smokers quit before smoking ban

In Glasgow, Scotland more than 500 smokers a week are asking to help quit smoking in the month before the smoking ban takes place. Around 2000 people have signed up for the health board's Starting Fresh scheme as bars, clubs and restaurants prepare to outlaw smoking from Sunday. The number of smokers seeking help every month has jumped from 1200 to 2000 in preparation for the smoking ban which will go in effect at 6am on March 26, 2006.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/print/news/5050351.shtml

Honduras Relay Draws Thousands from Across the Nation

California Relay volunteer Maxine Bigler with Honduras Relayers

In March 2006, Honduras held its fourth annual Relay For Life® event, another enormously successful Relay for this country of seven million people. About 2,500 attendees participated in the event, which was held at Olympic Stadium in Tegucigalpa. In addition to the survivors, caregivers, and community supporters, top Honduran officials such as the vice president and his family, the president of Congress, the mayor of Tegucigalpa, and the main bishop and his delegation attended. The survivor tributes moved the crowd, and lively entertainment added a festive atmosphere for the dedicated families, youth, and more than 100 teams on the field. In this country with a per capita gross national product of $1,030, donations exceeded $400,000 . California Relay volunteer Maxine Bigler assisted in training the Honduras Cancer Association (Asociacion Hondurena de Lucha el Cancer) staff and volunteers and shared colon cancer prevention and screening information at the event.

Luxembourg Launches First Relay For Life

Ambassador Team at Luxembourg Relay

On Mar. 19 2006, the Fondation Luxembourgeoise Contre le Cancer launched their first Relay For Life (Relais Pour La Vie) - the largest Relay launch in western Europe. Held at the d'Coque Centre National Sportif et Culturel in Kirchberg , this was also the first indoor Relay outside of the US.  Nearly 200 teams participated in this outstanding inaugural event, and the total number of attendees was estimated to be 5,000.  Luxembourg is home to nine worldwide Embassies, and each Embassy organized a team and displayed an exhibit booth with cancer education and prevention material from their nation's primary cancer organization. The theme of the event was "solidarity" in the fight against cancer.  Cancer organization representatives from Germany, France, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands also attended to learn the logistics of an indoor event. Currently, 23 countries outside of the US participate in Relay For Life.

Worldwide Cancer News Roundup

Smoking kills, should be banned in public: Latvian health minister

Agence France Presse –Riga, Latvia -March 17, 2006
Health Minister Gundars Berzins of Latvia proposed Friday a ban on smoking in public places. Around 47% of men and 18% of women in Latvia smoke, according to the National Health agency. "This is an urgent matter: heart disease and lung cancer are widespread in Latvia and it's mainly because of smoking," Berzins said. Polls have shown that a public smoking ban would be supported by 70% of the population.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060317/hl_afp/latviahealthtobaccoban_060317164714

Council will take children from smokers

Sunday Times - London, UK - March 12, 2006
"One of Scotland's biggest local authorities is threatening to remove foster children from smokers. New rules introduced by city council will ban smokers from adopting and fostering children under the age of five unless they agree to keep their homes smoke free. Smokers who already have foster children under five in their care face having them removed if they smoke at home."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,20902082236,00.html

'A Personal Event'" Relay For Life A Tribute To Those Touched By Cancer

The Daily Herald-Tribune - Alberta- Canada-March 17, 2006
As a cancer survivor, Bob Leslie of Alberta, Canada, knows the importance of every penny that is raised from events. "For me, this is definitely a personal event. Cancer has affected three of my family members and members of our company," he said. "It's an event about survivors and at times I find it very difficult. I find the victory lap (with cancer survivors) very emotional because you can see how deeply this affects the community. You feel sad for the families. You know them, you know their loved ones and your heart just goes out to them," Leslie said. Last year Relay For Life in Alberta raised more than $280,000 and this year participants hope to raise close to $300, 000.

Hong Kong strives for smoke-free eating environment

Xinhua General News Service - HONG KONG - March 17, 2006
Hong Kong's dream of being smoke-free has been delayed until January 2007. Hong Kong had initially planned to make all smoking indoors, including smoking in restaurants and night clubs, illegal by the middle of this year, but had to back off because the anti-smoking legislation was ferociously protested by the restaurant and bar owners. In order to aid this transition process, the Department of Health and the catering industry of Hong Kong decided to start a educational campaign for a smoke-free environment in all restaurants, the first step for a total ban on smoking in restaurants in 2007. If the ban on smoking is successfully implemented, Hong Kong would be the first city in Asia which prohibits smoking in bars and restaurants.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/200603/18/content_4314841.htm

Florida Division Hosts International Fellows in Advocacy and Tobacco Control

Advocacy Day in Tallahassee, Florida

The Florida Division recently hosted two international fellows for a knowledge exchange in tobacco control and advocacy. The fellowship kicked off with a welcome lunch with Florida CEO Don Webster and COO Ralph DeVitto to greet fellows Laura Salgado from Honduras and Cornel Radu of Romania. Paul Hull, Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy, and Ryan Reid, Director of Public Policy, were the lead staff on Advocacy Day in Tallahassee where both fellows had an opportunity to meet and discuss advocacy strategy with volunteers and staff. During Advocacy Day, fellows met with members of the Florida legislature and experienced firsthand the important role of advocacy volunteers. Other activities during the week included a tour of the Hope Lodge and Moffit Cancer Center, and meetings with key staff in Income Development, Cancer Control and Communications departments.

Great West, California, and High Plains Divisions Launch Bi-national Cervical Cancer Initiative

Dr. Felix Aguilar Speaking at Bi-national Cervical Cancer Symposium, Tijuana, Mexico

A successful Bi-national Cervical Cancer Symposium dedicated to address cervical cancer in the United States-Mexico border region took place in February 2006 at the Autonomous University of Baja California in Tijuana, Mexico. This first-time initiative drew over 200 attendees including students, faculty, and health care professionals in the region. This collaboration between the Society’s Great West, California, and High Plains Divisions, and the International Program is a cohesive effort to improve the health conditions of border communities and to promote a long-term knowledge exchange in cervical cancer. As a result of this initiative, a bi-national network of professionals has committed to promote regional solutions that will improve border health issues. California Division volunteer Dr. Felix Aguilar presided as master of ceremony, and Regina Martinez, a Great West Division volunteer, and Ted Buckland, Senior Advisor to the CEO of the High Plains Division, participated in this historic collaboration.

Society Tobacco Control Grantees Attend Geneva Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Conference

American Cancer Society Tobacco Control Grantees at Geneva Conference for the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)

The American Cancer Society and its international tobacco grantees played an active role in the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) recently held in February in Geneva. The aim of the first COP meeting was to determine technical, procedural and financial matters relating to the implementation of the FCTC such as the establishment of the permanent secretariat, funding and financial support and monitoring and reporting on implementation progress, and the possible elaboration of protocols. Out of the 168 signatories on this historic global public health treaty, 124 countries ratified it in time to actively participate in decisions at this important meeting. The United States, which has yet to ratify the FCTC, participated as an observer. During the conference the Society held a meeting with its grantees from Armenia, Bangladesh, Georgia, Honduras, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Uruguay. Grantees gave presentations on their tobacco control projects and goals, and participated in on a strategy session on future tobacco control project work and issues.

Second Relay For Life Held in the Philippines

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo During Relay Survivor Lap 

In Feb. 2006, the Philippine Cancer Society celebrated the nation's second Relay For Life event. The event took place at Armoranto Stadium in Quezon City and included more than 2,200 participants.  During the evening more than 400 survivors and 97 teams helped make this second Relay a tremendous success. The President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo attended and interacted with survivors in attendance. The Philippine National Minister of Health and Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. also attended.