In an unprecedented meeting between the media and the health sector in India, journalists and health care leaders convened on April 24 in New Delhi to kick off an historic journalist 'boot camp' to address India’s growing cancer and tobacco crisis. During the keynote address, Anbumani Ramadoss, MD, India’s cabinet minister of health and family welfare, unveiled his government’s plans to fight cancer and tobacco use. Following his remarks, Greg Donaldson, national vice president, Corporate Communications, moderated a lively press conference with the journalists and the health minister. Deputy Chief Operating Officer Pat Felts delivered presentations to India’s journalists and to 50 scholars gathered at the Society’s second American Cancer Society University (ACSU), also held in New Delhi this week. For the first time during an ACSU, scholars and journalists were brought together for a joint session to discuss lifesaving messages and potential news stories about cancer. The weeklong sessions are held in an interactive classroom setting and cover topics such as cancer early detection, tobacco control, palliative care, advocacy, fundraising, volunteerism, and strategic planning. The boot camp is sponsored by the Society and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
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