The Global Fight Against Cancer

American Cancer Society and Public Health Partners Launch Smokefree Worksite Initiative in China

On June 12, the American Cancer Society, in collaboration with a consortium of Chinese public health organizations, held a press conference in Beijing to launch the “Smokefree Worksite Initiative.” The initiative encourages companies to implement 100% smoke-free policies in their offices in China, starting with those in Beijing. The press conference included spokespeople from the World Health Organization, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, and the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association. Johnson & Johnson, Dow Chemical Company, and other companies also expressed their support for and commitment to the initiative at the event. Given the recent smoke-free directive in Beijing and the upcoming smoke-free Olympic Games, China is making historic strides to create a healthier environment for its people. Through the Smokefree Worksite Initiative, the American Cancer Society and its public health partners are aiming to build on this momentum and help curb the smoking epidemic in China, which is estimated to claim 33% of annual deaths in China by the year 2020.

Electronic Dossier Demonstrates Global Support for Improved Cervical Cancer Prevention

As part of a global effort to accelerate access to cervical cancer screening, prevention, and treatment, Cervical Cancer Action (CCA) has prepared an electronic dossier demonstrating civil society support for access issues surrounding this disease. CCA is a coalition which includes PATH (an international nonprofit health organization), the Pan American Health Organization, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, and the American Cancer Society. This dossier will be presented to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations and the World Health Organization at upcoming meetings where HPV vaccine issues will be considered. The dossier also serves more broadly to raise awareness of the enormous opportunities and gaps in addressing cervical cancer, and the richness and diversity of stakeholders committed to reducing the burden of this disease, including governments, cancer organizations, hospitals, reproductive health groups, women's organizations, vaccine advocates, and others. More than 1,200 people representing about 700 organizations have signed the electronic dossier so far, expressing support for better cervical cancer screening and vaccination opportunities for women in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This is a dynamic dossier, with new letters arriving weekly. For more information on CCA and the electronic dossier, please visit www.cervicalcanceraction.org 

Relay For Life® Draws 3,000 Participants in Zululand, South Africa

Cancer survivors walking the first lap of honor at Relay For Life® event in Zululand, South Africa

On May 30, under the night sky in Zululand, South Africa, a flare kicked off a remarkable Relay For Life® event that drew more than 3,000 participants. At the vast Zululand Chamber of Business Foundation show grounds, 82 Relay teams gathered to give their hearts, energy, and donations to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). The crowd of Zululanders, which represented the cultural and demographic diversity of the community, walked, danced, sang, and celebrated through the night to raise more than $25,000 for CANSA activities and programs. More than 600 luminaria bags lined the track as 90 cancer survivors walked the first lap of honor, which was followed by a lap by their caregivers and the CANSA committee. During the closing ceremony, Deputy Mayor Celiwe Madlopha praised the participants, sponsors, and organizers and gave the Zululand Observer newspaper credit for promoting and supporting this successful Relay event.

World Health Assembly Endorses Action Plan on Non-communicable Diseases

American Cancer Society staff participated in meetings of the 61st World Health Assembly (WHA) May 19-24 in Geneva. Among several important decisions made by the WHA at these meetings, the assembly endorsed a six-year action plan directing the World Health Organization (WHO) to increase efforts to prevent and control non-communicable diseases, which are now the leading threats to human health. These diseases, which include cancer, accounted for 60 percent of all deaths globally in 2005, and they have the greatest impact on low- and middle-income countries. The plan calls for the WHO to map emerging epidemics of non-communicable diseases and analyze their social, economic, and political causes, using this information to formulate guidance on effective policies and financial measures to tackle these diseases. It directs the WHO to take steps to reduce the level of exposure to common risk factors for non-communicable diseases. The plan also proposes ways that the WHO can strengthen health care for those with non-communicable diseases.

To access the report, click here: http://www.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/A61/A61_8-en.pdf

American Cancer Society Meets with First Lady of Nigeria to Discuss Cancer Control Collaboration

From left to right:  Her Excellency Turai Umar 'Yar Adua, First Lady of Nigeria; Loyce Pace Bass, lead manager, Regional Programs, American Cancer Society; Ann McMikel, strategic director, Planning and Business Operations, American Cancer Society; and Dr. Sani Malami of the National Cancer Forum, based in Kano, Nigeria

On May 14, staff from the American Cancer Society’s International Affairs department, including Ann McMikel, strategic director, Planning and Business Operations, and Loyce Pace Bass, lead manager, Regional Programs, met with Her Excellency Turai Umar 'Yar Adua, the first lady of Nigeria, a champion of breast and cervical cancer awareness in the country. The meeting, held in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, focused on leveraging the first lady's recent involvement in the Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation (WAYEF) to launch cost-effective breast and cervical cancer screening, awareness, and education programs throughout the nation. The meeting provided a unique opportunity to understand the cancer needs of Nigeria and the impressive level of attention and support the growing cancer burden is getting among high-level government officials. Shortly after the meeting, the first lady directed a formal request to the American Cancer Society to collaborate with the government in key areas of advocacy, training, development of a cancer coalition, and support for screening and treatment centers. This meeting was held in conjunction with a series of other meetings with Nigerian partners to assess cancer control opportunities for future grant-funded engagements and activities in the region.

American Cancer Society Staff Assess Workplace Solutions and Grant Programs in India

Four-year-old (center), with family, who has received supportive care for retinoblastoma at LV Prasad Eye Institute, an American Cancer Society University grantee in Hyderabad, India.

American Cancer Society staff traveled to India April 25-May 2 to further the Society's India pilot program on global workplace solutions and to perform site visits for American Cancer Society University (ACSU) grantee organizations. Focus groups were held in Mumbai and Bangalore with top human resource and medical staff from leading Indian and multinational corporations to discuss how corporations in India value employee health and to better understand needs around chronic disease prevention and wellness. Some corporate partners talked with American Cancer Society staff about the possibility of providing Quitline® services to their employees. Society staff also conducted site visits of five ACSU grantees in Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad, to assess implementation of programs created through ACSU seed grants. These programs, supported by grants from the Kapoor Foundation, address issues such as advocacy for smoke-free policies, support for patient services, and improving awareness of palliative care. In addition, Society staff held meetings in Ahmedabad to prepare the pilot site for a new cancer resource hub, which will include adapted and translated American Cancer Society cancer content, the creation of a local cancer resource database, and the launch of a patient navigation program with a local nongovernmental organization partner.   

American Cancer Society Western Consortium Launches Third Round of American Cancer Society University

Scholars at Third Round of American Cancer Society's Western Consortium ACSU

An American Cancer Society University (ACSU) was held for the first time in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 18-23. The ACSU was attended by 17 scholars from eight countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. ACSU faculty included American Cancer Society volunteers and staff from the Western Consortium, which includes three sponsoring American Cancer Society Divisions: California, Great West, and High Plains. Scholars received training in tobacco control strategy planning, grant management, program planning, collaboration, monitoring and evaluation, and fundraising. A proposal development workshop provided scholars with individual assistance in preparing seed grant proposals. Case studies from American Cancer Society-funded grant projects were presented by scholars from South Korea and Vietnam. Scholars will submit seed grant proposals to implement tobacco control programs over the next year. Two ACSU scholars from the Philippines were interviewed at KNDI radio station in Honolulu. Dr. Kelly Salvador and his wife, Dr. Susannah Salvador, both oncologists, discussed their work on addressing cancer disparities and tobacco control in Manila.