Millions are affected every year by cancer. Whether it’s a personal brush with the disease or the heartbreaking experience of seeing someone you love suffer, we all understand its devastating impact. But amidst the challenges, World Cancer Day reminds us that there is hope.
This year, the theme “Close the Care Gap” urges us to unite in action, creating a world where everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, has equal access to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Whether it’s raising awareness, advocating for policy change, supporting families in need, or simply making healthier choices, each of us has the power to make a difference.
As a healthcare authority who shares a similar mission to World Cancer Day, committed to empowering individuals, we believe everyone deserves equal access to a healthier future. We feel it is part of our responsibility to promote the actions everyone can take, not just on World Cancer Day, but every day, for a healthier tomorrow.
There are more than 80 conditions that stem cell treatment can be used for with life-transforming results. Some types of cancer, such as leukaemia and neuroblastoma, are already being treated using stem cell transplants, while a further number are still being researched.
One of the most fascinating things about cord blood stem cells is that they are not just useful for transplant in cancer treatments for the individual they have been collected from, but also for siblings. Investing in your child’s future by storing their cord blood at birth means that if they or their siblings ever needed chemotherapy for cancer, a stem cell transplant has the amazing ability to restore bone marrow, blood and immune cell systems.
But our impact extends beyond personal choices. We can all collectively raise awareness, advocate for improved healthcare access, and support cancer research and families battling the disease. Here are some ways you can join the fight:
- Advocate for Change: Raise your voice for increased funding for cancer research and prevention programs, urging your local representatives to prioritise these crucial areas.
- Empower Others: Share factual information and resources about cancer and cord blood banking, dispelling myths and encouraging informed decisions.
- Support the Community: Volunteer your time with cancer charities or support groups, offering emotional and practical assistance to those in need.
- Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle: Prioritise preventative measures by adopting healthy habits like regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and avoiding harmful substances.
Overall, the best ways to take action are to advocate for change, and to explore the potential of new treatments that can be invested in for the future. Together, we can create a healthier tomorrow for ourselves and generations to come.
