The Global Fight Against Cancer

Media and NGOs Dialogue at American Cancer Society Workshops in Tanzania; ACS Chief Medical Officer Joins Key Global Health Leaders to Open AORTIC Conference

The American Cancer Society’s pre-conference workshops in Tanzania concluded earlier today with a lively discussion between African journalists and nongovernmental organization (NGO) representatives on barriers to cancer coverage and potential solutions in Africa. In the course of the discussion, the 24 journalists and 34 NGO representatives identified particular cancer myths that contribute to the barriers in cancer awareness in Africa. They also proposed solutions to debunking these myths, including strengthening relationships between journalists and NGOs so that journalists have access to credible and accurate information, and humanizing stories on cancer and destigmatizing the disease by profiling survivors. The discussion was followed by a graduation lunch for all workshop participants, where they were joined by Jean-Baptiste Tapko, MD, the World Health Organization’s country representative for Tanzania. The pre-conference workshops have been generously supported by Oracle, the Canadian Cancer Society, and AORTIC.

Later in the day, American Cancer Society staff and volunteers joined with hundreds of cancer and tobacco control partners from around the world at the opening ceremony of AORTIC Conference 2009. The conference, which runs through November 14, will give participants the opportunity to share ideas and best practices on all aspects of cancer care and management in Africa, from prevention and diagnoses to treatment and palliation. American Cancer Society Chief Medical Officer Otis Brawley, MD, served on a panel during the ceremony with other distinguished guests, including David Mwakyusa, MD, minister for Health and Social Welfare of Tanzania. At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, Brawley was given a special gift in recognition of the American Cancer Society’s role as a key partner in cancer control in Africa. 

American Cancer Society CEO Visits Mexico City to Highlight Expansion of Society-supported Patient Navigation Program in Mexico

John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer, American Cancer Society (seated at end of table) meets with Mexican journalists in Mexico City.

John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer, American Cancer Society, visited Mexico City October 19-21 to talk with Mexican journalists and health officials about efforts to expand a Society-supported patient navigation program in Mexico. This program, administered by the Mexican National Cancer Institute (INCan), helps cancer patients and their families by providing information and psychosocial support. Seffrin met with several Mexican health officials, including José Ángel Córdova, MD secretary of health for Mexico; Mauricio Hernández, MD, DSc, the Mexican Ministry of Health’s leading tobacco expert; and Alejandro Mohar, MD, director of INCan. Seffrin also conducted a press conference and interviews with Mexican journalists. These discussions led to coverage of the American Cancer Society in some of Mexico’s leading print, radio, and TV media organizations. 

American Cancer Society To Host Pre-Conference Workshops at AORTIC Conference 2009 in Tanzania; New ACS Blog Set Up for Tanzania Activities

 

 
  
The American Cancer Society is participating in AORTIC Conference 2009, being held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from November 11-14. The African Organisation for Research & Training in Cancer (AORTIC) has organized this conference for cancer control advocates from around the world to address the African cancer burden.

In addition to its participation in the conference, the American Cancer Society will be hosting two pre-conference workshops in Dar es Salaam. One is an training event organized for representatives of African nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) as part of the American Cancer Society Africa Cancer Information (ACI) program. The ACI event, taking place from Nov. 8-11, will allow these NGOs to learn about NGO management practices and cancer control activities. The other event is an ACS Media Summit for journalists representing print, radio, and TV media organizations thoughout Africa. Journalists will learn about best practices in health reporting, especially as they relate to creating greater awareness of cancer and tobacco control in the public. This Media Summit, taking place from Nov. 9-11, has been made possible with the generous support of Oracle, the Canadian Cancer Society, and AORTIC.

The American Cancer Society has set up a new blog at http://cancer.blogs.com/acsaortic to post materials and updates related to both pre-conference workshops and the AORTIC Conference. Materials include press releases, speaker biographies, fact sheets, and more. You can use the links in "Catgories" in the left column of the blog to find materials related to each subject. Also, check the "Quick Links" and "Twitter Updates" section in the right column to find useful information and resources on cancer and tobacco control in Africa and around the world.

American Cancer Society Holds Media Awareness Workshop on Tobacco Control in Hanoi; First of Two-Part Tobacco Control Program in Vietnam

More than 30 Vietnamese journalists and tobacco control advocates attended the first part of the Media Awareness Workshop for a Smoke-free Vietnam in Hanoi this week. This is the first part of a two-part tobacco control program hosted by the American Cancer Society in Vietnam. The advocates and journalists received media training and heard from a panel of tobacco control and health experts. By the end of this part of the workshop, the journalists developed stories about and interviewed advocates on tobacco control issues in Vietnam.The event was featured on VTV10, a Vietnamese television channel, and featured in Nhan Dan (People), a Vietnamese newspaper.The American Cancer Society team organizing the workshop is now heading for the second part of the training, to be held in Ho Chi Minh City starting September 19.

American Cancer Society to Join African and Mediterranean NGOs at Cancer Conference in Paris in October

The French National League against Cancer, founder of the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and founding member of the Cancer Network for International Cooperation (RCCI), is launching a new effort to enable African and Mediterranean cancer nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to exchange ideas and create a supportive network. This collaboration will provide better support for patients and their caregivers, and foster cooperation among health professionals and institutions in the region.The French National League against Cancer will hold, at its Paris headquarters on October 9-10, the first meeting of the Francophone African & Mediterranean Leagues in the Fight Against Cancer, which will be attended by NGOs and experts invested in this cause in the region. For more information about the upcoming event, click on this link to view the conference Web site (all information available only in French; English version to be added soon): liguesafromed.com. Sylvana Rochet-Belleri, North Africa program manager, American Cancer Society, will attend the conference to meet with partners and stakeholders.

American Cancer Society-Supported Initiative Hosts Tobacco Control Training in Burkina Faso

The Africa Tobacco Control Regional Initiative (ATCRI) hosted a capacity building and strategy workshop for Francophone tobacco control advocates August 20- 23 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. ATCRI, which is co-supported by the American Cancer Society and Cancer Research UK, was attended by participants from 14 French-speaking African countries, who met to discuss the development of sustainable national tobacco control action plans and strengthening alliances to allow for multi-partner interventions and action at the regional level. ATCRI and its Francophone partner organization, Observatoire du Tabac en Afrique Francophone (OTAF), also organized a press conference with local journalists. Several press articles were written and interviews with ATCRI and OTAF workshop organizers were broadcast on a local nightly news report.This was the second workshop organized by ATCRI, following a similar meeting with Anglophone tobacco control advocates held February 2009 in Accra, Ghana.

South Atlantic Division Launches the First-Ever Cancer Prevention Station at the Bolivian Consulate in Washington, DC

Representatives of the American Cancer Society and the Bolivian Consulate cut a ribbon at the opening of the health prevention station in Washington, DC.

In keeping with American Cancer Society South Atlantic Division outreach efforts to the Hispanic/Latino community, a health prevention station was officially launched recently at the Bolivian Consulate in Washington, DC. Modeled after the Mexican version of the program Ventanillas de Salud (“windows of health” in Spanish), the consulate now has a space dedicated to health prevention and community resources. The consulate will house community representatives and resources that will be available to the consulate's constituency to learn more about general health, cancer education, prevention, and early detection. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Patricia Hoge, the executive vice president for Mission Delivery and Medical Affairs for the South Atlantic Division, and Alicia Díaz, board member of the American Cancer Society South Atlantic Division, delivered a message of unity and support to the Bolivian community here in the United States and abroad. Rosa Villoch-Santiago, director of Hispanic and International Initiatives for the South Atlantic Division, shared with the attendees details of the long-standing international partnership between the Bolivian Foundation of Cancer and the American Cancer Society, and the Society's interests in engaging the local Bolivian community in its work. This partnership will help increase the visibility of the American Cancer Society with the local Bolivian community and provide another avenue to disseminate the Society's lifesaving messages. 

American Cancer Society Meets with Leaders in Public Health at 3rd Stop Cervical Cancer in Africa Conference

From left to right:  Her Excellency Mrs. Tobeka Madiba-Zuma, First Lady of the Republic of South Africa; Her Excellency Princess Nchegechege of Swaziland, Princess Nikky Onyeri of Nigeria (founder and executive director of the Princess Nikky Breast Cancer Foundation, and the conference host), and Her Excellency Hon. Janet Museveni of Uganda

The American Cancer Society joined with other public health organizations at the 3rd Stop Cervical Cancer in Africa Conference, which was held July 19-21 in Cape Town, South Africa. Loyce Pace Bass, director, Regional Programs, American Cancer Society, met with public health leaders from Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi, Seychelles, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and other nations to discuss their challenges and best practices. Information was provided to participants on the millions of women in Africa living with cervical cancer and the challenge to improve access to lifesaving prevention, diagnostic, and treatment resources. There was a call for civil society, clinical, and government stakeholders present to advocate for the HPV vaccine and low-resource screening programs (i.e. VIA), as well as patient care and support. Goodwill messages were presented from a number of distinguished guests, including Tobeka Madiba-Zuma, first lady of the Republic of South Africa. During the closing ceremonies for the conference, Madiba-Zuma and other first ladies of Africa launched the new Forum of African First Ladies Against Breast & Cervical Cancer. In addition, parliamentary and ministry commitments by several African governments to national planning and civil society engagement on cervical cancer were announced.

American Cancer Society Convenes Cancer Control Leaders in South Africa and Cameroon

Panelists at South Africa cancer control strategies meeting, representing the Department of Health of South Africa, Pfizer, and the Mandela Foundation

From July 20-23, the American Cancer Society brought together 15 cancer control nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in South Africa to discuss experiences and opportunities in coordinating community-based cancer control strategies. Participants engaged in small group activities and dialogues that highlighted common challenges, best practices, and overlapping resources. During a panel discussion, speakers from private industry (Pfizer South Africa), civil society (Nelson Mandela Foundation), and government (South Africa National Department of Health) shared insights and advice regarding successful multi-sector partnerships. In their parting statements, the NGO participants praised the opportunity to share ideas and use tools offered by the American Cancer Society at the meeting. They also committed themselves to developing and acting on local, regional, or national collaboration plans with peers. Since the meeting, multiple formal and informal partnerships have been formed or explored. The American Cancer Society also convened cancer and tobacco control stakeholders in Cameroon from July 15-17 for similar discussions on current activities and priorities. The need for more accurate information and education was highlighted as a major priority. One stakeholder recounted a situation in which a newly diagnosed cancer patient was told by his physician that it would have been better if he had HIV/AIDS than cancer. The statement was a poignant reminder of both the lack of awareness of cancer information and critical resources for cancer control in the country and the overall region.

¡Inscríbase para el Premio Excelencia Latina de la Sociedad Americana del Cáncer! Apply for the 2009 American Cancer Society Latin America Best Practice Awards!

(The English version of this announcement appears below the Spanish version.)

El Premio Excelencia Latina de la Sociedad Americana del Cáncer destaca los programas con métodos innovadores, los cuales apoyan las necesidades de los pacientes de cáncer en Latinoamérica.

Este año, la Sociedad Americana del Cáncer está aceptando solicitudes de organizaciones latinoamericanas sin fines de lucro que brindan ayuda a los pacientes, mediante programas ejemplares en las siguientes áreas:
- Apoyo a pacientes y cuidadores: Programas que ofrecen cuidados de salud, apoyo práctico, al paciente y a cuidadores
- Trabajo con los medios de comunicación y/o tomadores de decisiones: Programas que se destinan a influir tomadores de decisiones o que trabajan con los medios de comunicación
- Colaboración con profesionales de la salud: Programas en los que los profesionales de la salud desempeñan un papel fundamental en el desarrollo o la ejecución del Programa.

Para cada categoría habrá un primer y un segundo premio. Los ganadores del primer premio recibirán:
• Una beca de dos años para continuar la implementación del programa innovador (USD$15,000 por categoría) con asistencia especializada de la Sociedad Americana del Cáncer.
• Una semana en los Estados Unidos para que dos líderes de cada organización ganadora para estudiar directamente con la Sociedad Americana del Cáncer en un área específica de trabajo.
• Un viaje a Cartagena para asistir a la ceremonia de premiación el 21 de Noviembre de 2009, como parte de la reunión de la Alianza Latina.

Ganadores del segundo premio recibirán:
• Una beca por dos años para continuar implementando el programa innovador (USD$7,500 por categoría) con asistencia técnica de la Sociedad Americana del Cáncer.
• Un viaje a Cartagena para asistir a la ceremonia de premiación el 21 de Noviembre de 2009 como parte de la reunión de la Alianza Latina.

Además, la Sociedad Americana del Cáncer está aceptando nominaciones para reconocer a un voluntario extraordinario (de Colombia únicamente), con el premio de "Voluntario/a del Año." El/la voluntario/a ganador/a será honrado/a en la ceremonia de premiación el 21 de noviembre de 2009 en Cartagena, Colombia. En esta ocasión, tendrá la oportunidad de compartir sus experiencias con otros profesionales de organizaciones sin fines de lucro de Latinoamérica.

Para obtener más información, por favor visite www.premioexcelencialatina.org. Llene el breve formulario sobre su organización y su programa innovador y envíelo antes del 1º  de septiembre de 2009, ¡para convertirse en un ganador del Premio Excelencia Latina 2009!

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The American Cancer Society’s Latin America Best Practice Awards highlight programs with innovative methods that support the needs of cancer patients in Latin America.

This year, the American Cancer Society is accepting applications from Latin American nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with excellent patient programs in the following areas:
- Patient and Care Giver Support: Programs that provide health care or practical support to patients and their caregivers
- Media and Stakeholder Engagement: Programs that are intended to influence decisionmakers and work with the media
- Collaboration with Health Care Professionals: Programs in which health professionals play a key role in the development or implementation of the program.

For each category there will be a first and second prize. The first place winners will receive:
• A grant of USD$15,000, disbursed over two years, and technical assistance from the American Cancer Society to continue implementation of the innovative program.
• A week long fellowship at an American Cancer Society division office for two leaders from each winning organization.
• A trip to Cartagena to attend the awards ceremony at the 'Alianza Latina' meeting on November 21, 2009.

Second place winners will receive:
• A grant of USD$7,500, disbursed over two years, and technical assistance from the American Cancer Society to continue implementation of the innovative program.
• A trip to Cartagena to attend the awards ceremony at the 'Alianza Latina' meeting on November 21, 2009.

Additionally, the American Cancer Society is accepting nominations, from Colombia only, for an excellent volunteer to be recognized as “Volunteer of the Year!” The winning volunteer will be honored at the awards ceremony on November 21, 2009, in Cartagena, Colombia, and will have the opportunity to share his or hers experiences in the field with NGO professionals from across Latin America.

For more information, please visit www.premioexcelencialatina.org. Fill out the brief form about your organization and its innovative program and submit it by September 1, 2009, to become a winner of a 2009 American Cancer Society Latin America Best Practice Award!