On World Cancer Day, next Saturday, February 4^th, Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is encouraging the community to pause and reflect on this disease that is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Closer to home, each year in Bermuda over 300 people are diagnosed with cancer, and over 80 people die due to cancer. Together, we will change that.

Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre invites the community to take action! Research shows that 30-50% of cancers are preventable. On Saturday, February 4^th from 10 am until 3 pm, visit the pop-up location at the Washington Mall, Reid St. Level (between Treats and the Windsor Courtyard).  Enjoy complimentary refreshments while finding out what steps you can take to reduce your risk of being diagnosed with cancer. Play trivia, win prizes, increase your knowledge and help close the cancer care gap for a cancer-free world!

There are more opportunities to get involved in World Cancer Day. On Friday, February 3^rd, schools and offices are encouraged to participate in a Denim Day; and businesses are invited to host a ‘round-up at the till’ or a donation box. We encourage the community to support these participating businesses.  Your donations will help fund the Centre’s free cancer prevention programmes, making it possible to reach more people in Bermuda with this potentially life-saving information.

The following companies have already joined our fundraising efforts:

• The Terceira’s Family of Stations – rounding up at the till on February 4^th.

• Lindo’s Family Foods – Warwick and Devonshire – rounding up at the till on February 1^st.

• Supermart Limited – rounding up at the till from February 13^th – 19^th.

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

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

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

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

World Cancer Day is the global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). It 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. 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 early detection services and cancer treatment is equitable for all.

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 World Cancer Day continues with the theme, “Close the Care Gap”, which strives to raise awareness of this equity gap that affects almost everyone, in high as well as low- and middle-income countries, and is costing lives.

All donations received on World Cancer Day will help to fund Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre’s cancer prevention programmes, as we work to raise awareness that 30-50% of all cancers are preventable. The choices you make today can help to reduce your cancer risk tomorrow!

You can find more information on our website www.chc.bm. Organisations who wish to host a round up, donation box, or a Denim Day may contact jcrockwell@chc.bm or call 236-1001 x 1031

#ClosetheCareGap #WorldCancerDay #Bermuda #ReduceYourRiskBermuda