On Friday February 4^th we pause to reflect on World Cancer Day.

World Cancer Day is the global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre joins in this effort to raise awareness, improve education and encourage personal and collective action to reimagine a world where millions of preventable cancer deaths are saved and access to life-saving cancer treatment and care is equitable for all.

World Cancer Day was created in 2000 and has grown into a positive movement for everyone, everywhere to unite under one voice to face one of our greatest challenges in history.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. In Bermuda, over 300 people are diagnosed with cancer each year and 80+ people die due to cancer every year. Together, we will change that.

While we live in a time of awe-inspiring advancements in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, many of us who seek cancer care hit barriers at every turn. Income, education, geographical location and discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability and lifestyle are just a few of the factors that can negatively affect care.

This year's World Cancer Day theme, “Close the Care Gap”, is all about raising awareness of this equity gap that affects almost everyone, in high as well as low- and middle-income countries, and is costing lives.

Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is encouraging the community to get involved in our World Cancer Day fundraising efforts by supporting a round-up or donation box or participating in a Denim Day fundraiser.

The following businesses have already joined our fundraising efforts:

• The Terceira’s Family of Stations – rounding up at the till from February 1^st through 4^th

• Lindo’s Group of Companies - rounding up at the till on February 4^th

• Modblu Boutique – rounding up at the till on February 4^th

• Rock Island Coffee – hosting a donation box on February 4^th

• Tuck Shop – hosting a donation box on February 4^th

• Frequency Café & Hub – hosting a donation box on February 4^th

• TABS Bermuda – hosting a donation box on February 4^th

• Island Cuisine – hosting a donation box on February 4^th

• Supermart will be rounding up at the till June 6^th through 12^th

World Cancer Day donations will fund our cancer prevention programmes, as we work to raise awareness that 30-50% of all cancer are preventable, and the choices you can make to reduce your cancer risk!

Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre believes that we can help reduce the number of people being diagnosed with cancer, if we all take action today. Our time to act is now, and we invite the community to take action with us. Join us on Friday, February 4^th and help close the cancer care gap for a cancer-free world. You can find more information on our website www.chc.bm.

#ClosetheCareGap #WorldCancerDay #Bermuda #ReduceYourRiskBermuda