Celebrating 10 years – Our past, present and future
Jack Moon and David Guttman, both bladder cancer survivors, realized ten years ago that there was no information or support for Canadians facing bladder cancer. They first met on April 22, 2009 to get to know each other and discuss how they could help bladder cancer patients and their caregivers. They met again on May 11, 2009 and decided to co-found an organization, then called the Canadian Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network. The name was changed to Bladder Cancer Canada (BCC) a few years later.
On May 11, 2019 Bladder Cancer Canada will celebrate its 10-year anniversary and our fourth year recognizing May as Bladder Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM). The emphasis this May will be about honouring the hundreds of volunteers who made Bladder Cancer Canada what it is today, but with a focus on the future and making an even bigger impact over the next ten years.
How will we mark these special milestones?
Throughout the month of May, we’ll mark Bladder Cancer Awareness Month by joining bladder cancer organizations around the world in using the hashtag #bladdercanceraware on social media.
We’ll launch the NEW “See Red? See Your Doctor” Public Service Announcement video – a lemon with a twist that is more shocking than the previous campaign, much like the new awareness poster (left).
Our BCC Awareness Walk website will go live on May 1 at www.bccwalk.ca
Sour Face Selfies, a social media awareness campaign with the goal of going viral, using the hashtag #sourfaceselfie, will run all summer until the BCC Awareness Walk in September. Stay tuned for more details.
We will continue to celebrate all year long in recognition of BCC’s tenth anniversary. We’ll share videos and articles across social media and via our e-newsletter, featuring patients, doctors, founders, nurses, volunteers, families of the fallen and celebrities.
Over the past four years, BCC has awarded one $50,000 bladder cancer research grant each year through our peer-reviewed competition process. This year, in celebration of the tenth anniversary, and because of one very special donor, BCC will give out two $50,000 grants for much-needed research.
The year will wrap up with a special fundraising appeal campaign which will drive our mission forward in the future.
You can help us make a big impact
- Share our social media posts and tweets – we’ll incorporate global awareness initiatives from the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition and other bladder cancer organizations from around the world
- Ensure you’re subscribed to our e-newsletter and follow us on social media to keep-up-to-date
- When sharing content related to bladder cancer on social media in the month of May, use #bladdercanceraware – help us make bladder cancer a trending topic!
- Participate in Bubbles for Bladder Cancer on May 19 – On this special day, we stand together for everyone who has been affected by bladder cancer in some way. At 10 am local time, wherever we are in the world, we stand still for a moment and blow bubbles – raising awareness of bladder cancer and those who have been affected by it. Please post your pictures to social media using the hashtag #bladdercanceraware
- Organize an event or set up a lemonade stand in a visible location (i.e. Sporting event, farmer’s market, hospital, etc.) – we can provide you with most of the materials needed to create awareness and make an impact
Request a landmark lighting – in the past we’ve seen towers, bridges, government buildings and NHL arenas illuminated in red and yellow – these grand spectacles only happen with the help of volunteers- Register for the 2019 BCC Awareness Walk in your community when the website (www.bccwalk.ca) launches on May 1
- Reach out to local media outlets – they interview you to share your experience – in some cases, we may seek commitment from a member of our Medical Advisory Board to join the conversation
- Participate in our #SourFaceSelfie campaign all summer long until the BCC Awareness Walk date. Details to come
- Don’t forget to share your photos with us – we’re proud of our community and would love to showcase all of the initiatives that each and every one of you undertakes in shining a light on bladder cancer
Since marking the first Bladder Cancer Awareness Month in Canada four years ago, BCC has benefited from awareness garnered by countless incredible volunteer-driven initiatives – and in the end, these efforts have impacted the lives of the 80,000 Canadians facing bladder cancer – we hope you’ll help us to continue this tradition for years to come!
FOR ASSISTANCE WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE OR TO ORDER MATERIALS:
info@bladdercancercanada.org
1-866-674-8889
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: BladderCancerCanada
Twitter: BladderCancerCA
Instagram: BladderCancerCanada
