Rally to fight cancer
Stephen Lewis is coming to Concordia next month to enlist students in the fight against Cancer. During his talk on October 5, the third and final stop on the People Vs. Cancer Speaking Tour, Lewis will try to inspire students to join a broad social movement to curb rates of this highly preventable disease.
Lewis is recognized worldwide for his contributions in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS, and his charity, The Stephen Lewis Foundation, is dedicated to tackling the disease in Africa. He said he was inspired to lend his considerable voice to the fight against cancer when he became aware that 40 per cent of cases of the disease are preventable.
"One-hundred-and-seventy-five-thousand people in Canada are diagnosed with cancer each year," says Lewis. "We could cut that in half. It's just astonishing."
Concordia’s Director of Health Services Melanie Drew says she is delighted that Lewis is visiting Concordia specifically to address the issue of cancer. “Cancer is generally thought of as a disease or affliction of the older population but that is absolutely a myth,” says Drew. “University-aged people are at risk for a variety of cancers but more importantly, they are at the age where they can make decisions about their health and lifestyle that will have a direct health benefit for the long term.”
It is the second consecutive year that Lewis will travel to Canadian universities to speak to students on behalf of the Campaign to Control Cancer, a nation-wide coalition of cancer organizations. “I must admit to being amazed by the impact of the 2010 tour,” he said. “It was evident that the cause of controlling cancer was a deeply felt campus issue.”
When: Wednesday, October 5 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Where: Alumni Auditorium, Room H-110, Henry F. Hall Building (1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.)
During his discussion with students, Lewis will share his ideas about the need for the engagement of everyday people, including students, in the social action processes needed to tackle the disease. Last year, he reminded students of the historic changes that have come about as a result of student participation, including the Vietnam War and the recent push for health care reform in the U.S. “I just want them to walk away resolved that they can change things,” he said.
Drew said she hopes the talk will inspire students to take action against the disease that has probably already touched most of them in some way. “So many students, staff and faculty members have lost family members and friends to cancer,” she said. “Many of the cancers can be prevented, and for others we can provide screening programs that save lives. We just need to get the word out and to mobilize people to take action.”
Related links:
• The People Vs. Cancer Tour
• Campaign to Control Cancer (C2CC)
• Health Services