Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Former First Lady Barbara Bush to Kick Off Global Cancer and Tobacco Control Conferences

WASHINGTON, July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 5,500 international cancer and tobacco control leaders representing more than 130 countries will meet next week for conferences in Washington, D.C., to address the global cancer and tobacco burden and a sobering projected increase in cancer deaths worldwide. The UICC World Cancer Congress 2006, hosted by the American Cancer Society and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) is scheduled for July 8-12 and includes an appearance by Former United States President George H. W. Bush and Former United States First Lady Barbara Bush. The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health, also hosted by the American Cancer Society, will follow on July 12-15.

This is the first time these two conferences will be held back-to-back and in the same city. Both conferences underscore a growing cancer burden that threatens developing nations in particular. Cancer is responsible for approximately 7 million deaths worldwide annually. If trends continue, that figure could increase to 10 million by 2020, with at least 65 percent of cancer deaths occurring in emerging nations.

"Scientific advances have given us the knowledge we need to save lives yet we have not succeeded in reducing the growing burden of cancer," said John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and immediate volunteer past president of the UICC, the only global non- governmental organization dedicated solely to the fight against cancer. "This gap between what is and what could be is the single most important issue facing the cancer community."

During the opening session of the UICC World Cancer Congress, entitled Bridging the Gap: The Global Cancer Challenge, UICC and American Cancer Society leaders, joined by Former President George H.W. Bush and Former First Lady Barbara Bush, will closely examine the looming global cancer pandemic. They will also address the massive financial toll of cancer and the strategic importance of attracting major donor agencies and private national and international financial investments to support cancer control efforts and counter the global cancer threat.

Former President Bush, who along with his wife is also a co-chair of C- Change -- a U.S.-based coalition of business, government and non-profit leaders with a shared vision of a future where cancer is prevented, detected early, and cured, or is managed successfully as a chronic illness -- will discuss with opening general session attendees how the organizations involved in C-Change are working together to fight cancer.

"C-Change is, for the first time in history, bringing together the public, private and nonprofit sectors in a forum that allows cancer leaders to discuss concerns, opportunities and to build consensus about how to fuel progress against this terrible disease," said Former President Bush. "The work that has been done with C-Change here in the U.S. can and should be replicated by cancer leagues around the world. Collaboration will help us to eliminate cancer as a major health concern in our society."

Mrs. Bush will talk about childhood cancer, the "My Child Matters" campaign and her family's personal experience with the disease. "Forty years ago when our daughter Robin was diagnosed with leukemia, we had never heard of the disease," Mrs. Bush said. "Survival rates were very low and despite different medical treatments, our beloved daughter unfortunately died. It was extremely difficult for the whole family to lose someone we all loved so dearly, someone who had her entire future ahead of her. We decided the best way to preserve our daughter's memory was to make this tragedy a positive experience by raising awareness of the disease so that other children would have a chance to live. With early detection and the treatments available today, most children diagnosed with cancer have a good chance of surviving and of living an active life."

Also during the World Cancer Congress opening session, UICC President Dr. Franco Cavalli will introduce the World Cancer Declaration, which calls for governments, international leaders and civil society to make cancer control one of the highest health, social and political priorities of this decade. "This Declaration is a formal commitment from world leaders across the globe to take part in ending the cancer epidemic, not simply by signing their name, but by agreeing to allocate knowledge, time, funding and other resources that will make a difference," said Dr. Cavalli.

The 2006 World Cancer Congress and the 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health will be the premier global platforms for facilitating international dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders in the international cancer and tobacco control communities. To find more information on the conferences, visit http://www.2006conferences.org/.

About the Conferences Combined Plenary

The combined plenary, which takes place on July 12, will be a fast-paced, 90-minute session that resembles a television broadcast. This interactive plenary is designed to motivate the world's oncologists, public health leaders and cancer associations to join the global fight against tobacco. CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Larry King will interview global leaders to dynamically illustrate the global tobacco problem and urge the thousands of attendees to join the global tobacco control movement. The session bridges the closing of the 2006 International Union Against Cancer World Cancer Congress to the opening of the 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health in Washington, D.C.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS- 2345 or visit http://www.cancer.org/.

About the International Union Against Cancer (UICC)

UICC is the only international non-governmental organization that is dedicated exclusively to the global control of cancer. Its vision is of a world where cancer is eliminated as a major life-threatening disease for future generations.

UICC's mission is to build and lead the global community engaged in sharing and exchanging cancer control knowledge and competence equitably, transferring scientific findings to clinical settings, systematically reducing and eventually eliminating disparities in prevention, early detection, treatment and care of cancers, and delivering the best possible care to all cancer patients.

With over 270 member organizations in more than 80 countries, UICC is a resource for action and a voice for change. UICC brings together a wide range of organizations, including voluntary cancer societies, research and treatment centers, public health authorities, patient support networks and advocacy groups, and in some countries, the Ministry of Health.