CANSA selected to participate in premiere world cancer summit
Lucy Balona 2009-08-14 CANSA > News > Media releases
CANSA selected to participate in premiere world cancer summit
Johannesburg, South Africa 14 August 2009 - World leaders, advocates and corporations from more than 60 countries, including the Cancer Association of South Africa, will convene at the premiere LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland, from August 24 to 26 to address the global cancer burden.
Leader volunteer for CANSA, Bev du Toit, and CANSA CEO, Sue Janse Van Rensburg, will be representing CANSA's commitment to fight cancer in South Africa and engage with world media, political leaders, representatives of non-governmental organisations and corporate leadership.
“With one in four South Africans being affected by cancer, the fight against cancer has to become a priority in every country. I am proud and honoured to be part of this important initiative and hope that I can make a contribution in assisting those diagnosed with cancer to cope and LIVESTRONG!” says Du Toit.
In September 2008, the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) announced its commitment to making cancer a global priority. The LAF made this commitment after its worldwide research, conducted over 18 months, revealed widespread misconceptions, stigma and lack of awareness associated with cancer.
In response, the LAF established the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign to urgently address the burden of cancer worldwide and support the 28 million people living with cancer around the globe. Cancer kills more people every year than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. It is estimated that cancer will be the leading cause of death worldwide by 2010.
“Cancer is a major public health problem that affects every country in every region of the world regardless of economic and social situation,” said Lance Armstrong, LAF Founder and Chairman, cancer survivor and champion cyclist. “Through collective action, we will make a renewed commitment to reducing the burden of cancer around the world and break down the stigma and silence too often associated with the disease.”
CANSA is proud to join the LIVESTRONG movement to help promote the fight against cancer globally and is looking forward to participating in the summit and helping to make the case for acting urgently to address the global cancer burden.
Unlike other conferences and forums, the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit is unique in that it will kick off a unified global movement while providing attendees the opportunity to connect with other advocates, network, gain media exposure and access tools and resources to help them mobilise in their own communities.
Speakers include honorary Summit chair and former Irish President Mary Robinson, Irish Cancer Chief Professor Tom Keane, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr Sanjay Gupta as well as representatives from the World Health Organization and other global bodies.
For more information, please contact Lucy Balona, Head: Marketing and Communication of CANSA on:
- Email: lbalona@cansa.org.za
- Tel: 011 616 7662
- Cell: 082 459 5230
For more information on the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign and the Summit, please visit http://www.livestrong.org
About CANSA
The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) purpose is to lead the fight against cancer in South Africa to save lives. CANSA is the only organisation that focuses on adult and childhood cancer and support, plays a major role in funding cancer related research, and is an active watchdog advocating for change to protect all communities in South Africa from known carcinogens. To get involved and join the fight to support CANSA, please visit www.cansa.org.za or contact CANSA toll-free on 0800 22 66 22.
About Bev du Toit
Bev du Toit, cancer survivor and volunteer with The Cancer Association of South Africa teamed up with fellow survivor, Denise Bernstein, to create The Cancer Coping Kit, a free audio-programme that empowers newly diagnosed patients and their families. The Cancer Coping Kit, (funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund) gives patients practical tools and techniques that promote physical, emotional and mental well-being. The Kit is available in English, Zulu, Sotho and Afrikaans nationally through CANSA. She received the Mariette Loots award in 2008 for The Cancer Coping Kit. This annual Award is given to an individual to acknowledge their commitment and outstanding achievement, in positively promoting the quality of life for all cancer survivors. Her commitment to the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign is to make The Cancer Coping Kit available to more people by ensuring its availability at the moment of diagnosis, translating it into additional languages and increasing distribution to five more countries and 50,000 kits.
She received the Mariette Loots award in 2008 for The Cancer Coping Kit. This annual Award is given to an individual to acknowledge their commitment and outstanding achievement, in positively promoting the quality of life for all cancer sufferers.
Her commitment to the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign is to make The Cancer Coping Kit available to more people by ensuring its availability at the moment of diagnosis, translating it into additional languages and increasing distribution to five more countries and 50,000 kits.
About the Lance Armstrong Foundation
At the Lance Armstrong Foundation, they fight for the 28 million people around the world living with cancer today. There can be – and should be – life after cancer for more people. That's why they kick in at the moment of diagnosis, giving people the resources and support they need to fight cancer head-on. They find innovative ways to raise awareness, fund research and end the stigma about cancer that many survivors face. They connect people and communities to drive social change, and call for state, national and world leaders to help fight this disease. Anyone anywhere can join their fight against cancer. Join them at http://www.livestrong.org
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Published in: CANSA > News > Media releases
