Barcelona, September 16, 2020.- Launched back in 2016 by Spanish Association against Cancer (AECC), and organized in collaboration with the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation & Universities and the Spanish Federation for Science & Technology (FECYT), #WorldCancerResearch Day (WCRD) is held annually on 24 September to encourage the active involvement of citizens, institutions and leaders across various fields to support the advancement of research against cancer.
This year’s campaign, Let’s Team up for Cancer Research, runs from 17-24 September, and counts on the efforts and collaboration of entities, leading associations and researchers from all over the world. The global cancer burden rose to 18.1 million new cases and 9.6 million cancer deaths in 2018, with cancer cases now forecast to rise by 75% over the next two decades. Accelerating cancer science and translating insights into improved outcomes for patients as swiftly as possible, must therefore be a top priority for the entire oncology ecosystem as well as the public at large.
Aimed at raising society’s awareness and the need to recognize the major contributions made thanks to basic and translational science, the campaign seeks to ensure that cancer discovery continues to receive the backing, belief and essential funding to improve survival rates and the quality of life of those affected by the disease, now and in the future. Rallying and appealing for continued and sustained support is indeed all the more pressing in the current COVID-19 era.
Commenting for VHIO’s Global Communications our Director, Josep Tabernero, said, “Particularly in these turbulent times, and only with the crucial support of cancer research of excellence, will we be able to more effectively combat cancer, raise the bar in advancing precision medicine in oncology, develop and fortify strategies aimed at prevention and early detection, as well as join together to strengthen nationally tailored cancer plans and policies.”
He continued, “I take this opportunity to personally thank the Spanish Association against Cancer for the longstanding support it gives to numerous research talents and groups across Spain and beyond. Such essential funding drives the science that continues to mark essential progress towards solving cancer sooner.”
In order to celebrate the actual World Day, 24 September, the AECC has also organized a special roundtable session as well as an international panel discussion that will both air live on AECC’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/aecc. Kicking off at 10:30h on the 24th, the first event will explore how COVID-19 has impacted on cancer research in Spain with leading experts Mariano Barbacid, Spanish National Cancer Research Center – CNIO (Madrid, Spain), VHIO’s Director, Josep Tabernero (Barcelona, Spain), as well as Belén Pastor, an AECC Predoctoral Investigator and researcher at the Valencian Institute of Oncology – IVO (Valencia, Spain).
This will be followed by the WCRD international panel at 17:00h to discuss the importance of international collaborations and partnerships in oncology. Panelists will include Elisabete Weiderpass, Director of the International Agency of Research on Cancer – IARC, Andrés Cervantes, President-Elect of the European Society of Medical Oncology – ESMO, Caroline Dive, President of the European Association for Cancer – EACR, and Associate Director of CRUK Manchester Institute (UK), Satish Gopal, Director of the NCI’s Center for Global Health (USA) and David Kerr, Professor at the University of Oxford (UK).
To discover more about World Cancer Research Day and lend your support to raising awareness about the importance of cancer science, please visit: www.worldcancerresearchday.com.
