Commit to Change on the 21st World Cancer Day

How do you commit to change in the face of one of humanity’s greatest challenges?

This Thursday marks the 21^st World Cancer Day, a global initiative to raise awareness, improve education, and take action to make progress against cancer. Collective action is key to building the cancer community and advocating for change, whether investment in cancer research, improvement in access to cancer care, or leadership and accountability in public policies. Individuals from all walks of life and impacted by cancer in all different ways resolve to make change for the wider world.

This change is possible. In a new report, released in January, the rate of cancer-related deaths in the United States dropped by 2.4% from 2017-2018. That’s a 31% reduction between 1991 and 2018, equating to around 3.2 million fewer cancer deaths. Advances in cancer treatments, including cancer immunotherapy, are one of the leading reasons for the decline—advances made thanks to the support of donors, fundraisers, and advocates to fund cancer research.

In the last 21 years, the Cancer Research Institute has pushed the science of cancer immunotherapy forward through innovative programs in laboratory and clinical research. Our Anna-Maria Kellen Clinical Accelerator has treated over 850 patients with groundbreaking cancer immunotherapies in clinical trials. Our annual awareness campaign, Cancer Immunotherapy Month, has educated millions about this new, lifesaving treatment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved immunotherapies for the treatment of over 20 types of cancer, including two approvals based on biomarkers across solid tumors. To continue making progress towards a cancer-free future, we need your commitment.

While such a mission may seem daunting, many people make similar commitments every January: New Year’s resolutions. Don’t be one of the 80% of people who give up on their resolutions by mid-February. Invent a challenge and turn your resolution into effective change for cancer patients globally.

This February 4, join the ‘21 Challenge for Cancer Research to support the most promising immunotherapies for all types of cancers. Set a personal goal and raise critical funds for our scientific programs this year. You can choose any goal (e.g., walk 21 miles a week, read 21 books this year, or meditate for 21 minutes a day) that will mobilize you and your community to do something big for cancer patients around the world. There is no fundraising minimum, but we suggest $2,100—to help pay for 21 days of cancer research by a CRI postdoctoral fellow! We can create a Future Immune to Cancer™, but we need you to make it happen.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

Ready to join the ’21 Challenge but don’t know where to start?

• Find ideas on how to participate.
• Download our fundraising kit [pdf] for tips on how to make your fundraiser a success.
• Contact us at [email protected] for further assistance.

Change the world today at https://fundraise.cancerresearch.org/21.