Maximize Life Awareness Campaign 2010
Cancer is still a frightening word in our community. Treatment can be harsh and
difficult to access, and too often new medical advances are just not available.
Sometimes people diagnosed with cancer must hide their diagnosis from their relatives
or their employers in fear that no one will want to remain close to them. Unfortunately,
this stigma of cancer in itself can result in delayed diagnosis and increased feelings
of depression and isolation, making the chance for survival greatly decreased.
Yet, there are many cancer survivors among us who continue to be contributing members
of our society, living their lives to the fullest after their diagnosis. By virtue
of how they live their lives, people newly diagnosed with cancer are joining the
Maximize Life Movement: a movement of people who step up to a cancer diagnosis and
choose to live with courage. We believe that showcasing this movement can lead to
better public understanding of the needs of cancer survivors, decrease stigma, and
ultimately, increase the allocation of needed resources for the prevention and treatment
of cancer, especially within low to middle income countries.
Advocacy to us means enjoining all of our voices so that together we can be heard
around the world until access to optimal cancer treatment and resources are available
to everyone, no matter where you live.
Components:
- Public awareness events
- Tribute Wall of Support for Cancer Survivors
- Collection of signatures for the World Cancer Declaration
Throughout the month of October, the campaign will feature community awareness events
in different regions of the world in which the central theme is a Tribute Wall of
support messages to cancer survivors, and collection of signatures in support of
the World Cancer Declaration. A running count of signatures, as well as all support
messages will be posted on the virtual tribute wall hosted on our website and linked
to participating partner organizations to increase their visibility.
The Maximize Life Awareness Campaign aims at increasing awareness of cancer in over
50 countries, collecting thousands of support messages as well as signatures to
the World Cancer Declaration.