MONTREAL, Feb. 1, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - From August 27 to 30, 2012, Montréal will host the World Cancer Congress, organized by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). In preparation for this important event, which will bring to our city some 3,000 delegates and 60 exhibitors involved in the fight against cancer, Tourisme Montréal invites the people of Québec to sign the World Cancer Declaration. This declaration is a tool developed by UICC to help bring the growing cancer crisis to the attention of government leaders and health policymakers in order to significantly reduce the global cancer burden by 2020. To date, over half a million people have signed the Declaration at www.worldcancerday.org/signdeclaration.
World Cancer Day 2012 has been launched under the theme "Together, let's do something," because it is only by every person, organisation and government doing their part that we will be able to significantly reduce premature deaths from this disease. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), without intervention, the global incidence of cancer is projected to rise from 12.7 million (in 2008) to 21.4 million by 2030. But the good news is that around one third of cancer deaths can be prevented, and a further third can be cured if detected early and treated appropriately together.
"World Cancer Day is a vital reminder that by working together, we can actually reduce the burden of cancer and premature deaths by 25% by 2025 - a target the WHO believes to be achievable. Together it is possible; alone, lives will continue to be lost. With this in mind, I encourage you to join us at the UICC World Cancer Congress to connect and exchange ideas with your international cancer control colleagues - this is your unique opportunity to be part of a community taking responsibility and making a difference," said Cary Adams, Chief Executive Officer, UICC.
"Montréal is privileged to have an outstanding scientific community backed up by impressive research facilities to fight against cancer. Unfortunately, this is not the case for poorer countries, hence the need to increase awareness of it among as many people and as many leaders around the world as possible so that, through our joint efforts, we can slow the progress of this devastating disease," stated the Honourable Charles Lapointe, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. "By asking our citizens to sign the Declaration, we are showing our commitment to this noble undertaking, and hope that our support will snowball and potentially save many lives," he concluded.
The theme of this year's World Cancer Congress—hosted by its sponsors, the Fondation québécoise du cancer, McGill University and Université de Montréal—is "Connecting for Global Impact" and is expected to bring together many international cancer control experts. The event will also be a tremendous opportunity to showcase the vitality of Montréal's scientific and medical community, in addition to creating local economic spin-off of approximately $5.5 million.
| Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position the destination on leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal's tourism product in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the market. |
Pierre Bellerose
Vice President
Public Relations, Product Research and Development
Tourisme Montréal
514 844-2404
[email protected]
Twitter: @pierrebellerose
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