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We fight to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

At the LIVESTRONG Foundation, our mission is to inspire and empower people affected by cancer.

We consider anyone affected by cancer—patients, caregivers and loved ones—a survivor at the moment of diagnosis and through every stage of the cancer journey. We’re letting survivors know they’re not alone. There are 28 million people living with cancer around the world, and we’re standing with them in the fight against cancer. We’re helping survivors find their voice and take control of their fight.

In 2010, cancer became the leading cause of death worldwide.

Cancer accounts for nearly eight million deaths worldwide each year, killing more people than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. LIVESTRONG is calling on world leaders to make cancer a global priority. We believe all cancer survivors have the right to receive the treatment, services and support they need.

Share Your Story

  • I have or have had cancer.

  • I have a loved one who has had cancer.

  • I am a health professional or healthcare provider.

Together with local partners, we will…

  1. Increase Awareness of cancer as a priority among policy makers.

  2. Improve Access to care for cancer survivors around the world.

  3. Empower People affected by cancer to engage in the fight against cancer.

 

Voices

  • Lauren Pretorius

    CEO, Campaigning for Cancer
    South Africa, Africa

    Campaigning for Cancer works on the premise of being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we have yet to achieve, our partnership with LIVESTRONG has ensured that our hope of a South Africa where people affected by cancer receive fair, appropriate, timeous, respectful and quality treatment and care is one step closer to being achieved. Through this partnership and our Voice of Cancer Survivor Forum we have achieved something that we thought would take decades – a cancer community that is focused and committed to continuing the advocacy principles LIVESTRONG helped us actuate in our country.

  • Thuli Mngadi

    South Africa, Africa

    I was affected by cancer and I would like to help those who are still stigmatized against the disease and help the community to be aware of other things around cancer as a chronic disease. I also want to raise awareness about it.

PATIENT EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

The LIVESTRONG Foundation has implemented the Survivor Empowerment Initiative in South Africa with partners Campaigning for Cancer and the American Cancer Society, as well as key local organizations. This collaboration brought together decision makers, clinicians, media, advocates and survivors to work towards a system of care that put the survivor first. The goal of the initiative was to help bring visibility to gaps in cancer control and highlight the need for cancer to be a stronger priority on South Africa's health agenda.

In May 2011, a national call to action was issued at the Voice of Cancer Survivor Forum for South Africa. The South African government responded by making a formal commitment to address these issues and make cancer a priority on the nation's health agenda.

AFRICA ANTI-STIGMA INITIATIVE

The LIVESTRONG Foundation launched a pilot campaign in South Africa to raise awareness of the global cancer burden and reduce the stigma associated with cancer through culturally relevant and targeted messaging. Working with implementing partner John Snow Inc. (JSI) and local non-profit and advocacy groups, the campaign raised awareness about the disease, improved knowledge about treatment and challenged the stigma that surrounds cancer.

Three areas were selected in which to target the national initiative: Mdantsane (Eastern Cape), Khayelitsha (Western Cape) and Soweto (Gauteng). Over a period of 18 months beginning in April 2010, the campaign conducted focus groups and interviews, empowered survivors to share their stories, held community events, collaborated with non-governmental organizations, the government, church leaders and traditional healers, launched a door-to-door campaign, trained community health workers and media figures, implemented a SMS-text campaign, hosted a radio call-in show, and created TV and radio public service announcements (PSA). The campaign achieved significant results.

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