The Global Fight Against Cancer

Film Produced by American Cancer Society Fellow Wins Award at UICC Conference Film Festival

 
Sutapa Biswas

A film produced by Sutapa Biswas, an American Cancer Society fellow and American Cancer Society University alumna, won the Best Personal Story Award at the recent Reel Lives Film Festival, held during the UICC World Cancer Congress in Geneva, Switzerland. Biswas is the executive director of the Cancer Foundation of India. Her film, titled The Art of Living, was one of 264 film entries from around the world. Of those, 33 films representing 16 countries were selected for screening and final judging. Presented in Hindi with English subtitles, The Art of Living tells the story of Sambhu Das, a painter who was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx in 1998. Despite financial and physical limitations, he never was swayed from his goal of becoming a successful painter. Through the story of a person with cancer, the film celebrates the inner strength of a common man. To view a clip of the award-wining film and other award winners from the festival, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CULHia8acAg.

American Cancer Society Delivers Progress Report at the UICC 20th World Cancer Congress

UICC 2Oth World Cancer Congress Geneva 2008. John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive office of the American Cancer Society

On August 28, more than 2,000 doctors, researchers, policymakers, and advocates gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, for the 20th World Cancer Congress. At this four-day event organized by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), American Cancer Society chief executive officer Dr. John Seffrin presented a two-year Progress Report on the World Cancer Declaration, drafted at the previous Congress in 2006 as an urgent call to action. The 2008 report provides details on the achievements made since the adoption of 11 agreed-upon action steps described in the World Cancer Declaration. Highlights of the report include continuous progress in tobacco control, palliative care, and improved access to HPV and hepatitis B vaccinations, which can significantly reduce cervical cancer and liver cancer respectively.