The LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign

For more than 10 years, the Foundation and our founder, cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, have partnered with other organizations and dedicated advocates to make cancer a national priority in the United States. Now we're taking the cancer fight global.

What is the Global Cancer Campaign?

More than 12 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer and eight million will die from the disease each year. To address this global cancer burden, the LAF will join with local partners, organizations and world leaders to achieve three major goals.

1. Together we will end the stigma of cancer and turn cancer victims into cancer survivors.
Millions of people around the world suffer from cancer in isolation, victims not only of the disease but of social stigma. For all too many, a diagnosis of cancer can result in ostracism from colleagues, friends and even family, and cancer becomes a shameful condition that must be hidden. This stigma leads to a lack of early detection, failure to seek treatment and an increase in cancer mortality.

2. Together we will build an international grassroots movement that will take cancer from isolation to collaboration.
Research shows increased mortality is often caused by a lack of resources and knowledge related to cancer awareness, screening, prevention, treatment and care. However, a third of cancers could be cured if detected early and treated adequately.

3. Together with world leaders, we will transform cancer from obscurity to priority.
Cancer kills more people than malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS combined. However, many governments devote few resources to fighting cancer and collect little information about its causes and effects. The LAF will work with world leaders to focus on developing international partnerships, cancer advocacy, research and data collection. The Foundation will kick off this effort at the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit.

What is the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit?
The first-ever LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit will take place August 24-26, 2009, in Dublin, Ireland, immediately following Lance's participation in the Tour of Ireland, Aug. 19-23.

As the landmark event of the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign, the Summit will make the case for acting urgently to address the global cancer burden and introduce new commitments to cancer control by bringing together world leaders, corporations, non-governmental organizations and advocates in an unprecedented show of solidarity.

The event will be invitation-only, and invitations will be extended to:

• World leaders who commit to making cancer a priority; leaders will tailor their commitments relevant to specific cultural circumstances and the ability to share demonstrable results.
• Representatives from NGOs and corporations that make significant commitments to advance cancer control in their countries.
• Grassroots advocates who are dedicated to supporting and monitoring the commitments made by their governments and the cancer community.

Each commitment must be new, measurable, supported and aligned with the UICC World Cancer Declaration.

What Can You Do?

Ireland has the highest incidence of cancer in Western Europe and we were thrilled with the support offered by the Irish government and the Irish people for our Summit. Ireland bears a tremendous burden because of this disease and is very motivated to work against it. We are honored to partner with them in this endeavor and are very grateful for their efforts.

Join advocates around the world and make a commitment to fight cancer.

Organizations, Governments and Corporations
Learn how organizations, governments and corporations can join with the LAF in the global fight against cancer.

Individuals
Learn how you, as an individual, can get involved in your community and around the world to join with the LAF in the global fight against cancer.