Why World Cancer Day Matters to Patients and Survivors

World Cancer Day serves as a powerful reminder of the global impact of cancer and the shared responsibility to address it. In honor of the awareness day, Fred Batchelor, a liver cancer survivor and patient advocate, sat down with CURE for an interview to discuss why initiatives like World Cancer Day matter.

Fred reflects on how cancer touches nearly every family, emphasizing the importance of bringing the disease into the public conversation to raise awareness and foster unity. He highlights cancer as a global issue that requires collective attention, compassion, and action from individuals and health care systems alike. Fred also shares how a cancer diagnosis leaves a lasting imprint, even after treatment ends.

By recognizing World Cancer Day, he explains, communities can celebrate survivors in remission, support those currently undergoing treatment, and stand together in the ongoing effort to confront cancer.

Transcript

What is the importance of recognizing initiatives like World Cancer Day?

World Cancer Day brings attention to an issue that is so close to everyone's heart. We all know someone in our family or someone close to us whom we love who has cancer. It is a global issue; it is everywhere. It is important for people to recognize that we need to focus on it and pay attention to it. Having World Cancer Day and bringing the issue to the forefront makes people aware and encourages them to face it and fight it together.

You never know; I never thought in a million years I would be affected by cancer, but when it comes, it stays with you for a while. Putting it out there and having events calls attention to what needs to be recognized. This is an issue that, until it's eradicated, requires us all to join together to celebrate those who are recovering or in remission and to support the ones who need help to get through this journey.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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