By Nathan Fligelman
February 4th of each year marks commemoration of World Cancer Day. This year, as was the case last year, and will be once again next year, the theme is “Close the Care Gap.” In other words, “everyone deserves access to cancer care.”
In 2022, the focus of the campaign was “realising the problem” – spreading awareness about the inequities in cancer treatment around the world. Essentially, inequity in care, potentially spurred by differences in income, education, location, and a litany of discrimination-centric catalysts, costs lives. The understanding of this unfortunate lack of fairness provided a basis for the 2023 focus: “uniting our voices and taking action.”
This year, every ‘participant’ in the movement is being called upon to unite in spreading the word about treatment inequity around the globe, as well as to both generally and directly help those who are in need. The World Cancer Day website lists ways you can get involved, such as encouraging neighbors to provide transport to cancer treatment clinics for those receiving care, and ensuring that local schools offer healthy, as well as inexpensive, food options.
Another way you can aid the movement is by donating blood or platelets. Fifty percent of all platelet donations, in particular, are transfused to cancer patients. Platelets stop bleeding in the body by attaching to the linings of blood vessels. Thus, platelets are an important contributor to damage-repair within the body; this is especially true for those suffering from cancer, as the disease is known to reduce platelet levels in the blood of patients (a condition called thrombocytopenia). Platelets also bolster the general production of healthy blood cells.
Platelet donations are in constant need because they have a shelf life of only 5 days. Individuals with all blood types (except for O negative and B negative – those donors can make the most impact by giving whole blood or Power Red donations) are encouraged to give platelet donation a try. Visit RedCrossBlood.org to schedule a donation appointment.
Looking ahead, the “Close the Care Gap” focus for 2024 will be “together, we challenge those in power.” Here, we’ll promote the widespread availability of health services through forging connections with community leaders and political figures. The overall purpose of this three-year campaign is to eventually create a cancer-free world for all.
To conclude, it is crucial that cancer care inequity is wholly eliminated so that everyone in need can receive proper treatment and further medical attention. This year, make sure to do your absolute best in spreading awareness pertaining to the “Close the Care Gap” initiative!
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