February 4th is World Cancer Day, a global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to raise awareness and inspire action in the fight against cancer. This year, the theme focuses on sharing stories and creating connections. At Crossroads Macmillan Volunteer Support, we are proud to stand alongside cancer patients in Kent & Medway, offering our listening ear, support, and assistance throughout the year.
This World Cancer Day, we invite you to participate—whether by sharing your story, joining events, or helping to create awareness. Here’s how you can get involved:
Share Your Story: The Upside Down Challenge
The Upside Down Challenge, created by the World Cancer Day organization, encourages people worldwide to share videos or photos of themselves upside down, along with their unique stories about how cancer has impacted their lives. This campaign aims to create a global movement of connection and awareness.
You can participate in this challenge by visiting the World Cancer Day website for more details and submitting your story through their form.
We’ve created a local opportunity for you to share your story with our audience in Kent & Medway. People diagnosed with cancer, their carers, and family members are all welcome to participate. You can choose to share your story completely anonymously, or if you prefer, include your name and a photo (optional). Your experience can inspire others and help raise awareness.
Fill our form to send your story:
For more information about the Upside Down Challenge, click here
Watch this year’s inspiring video here:
Join Online or Offline Events
There are countless ways to get involved in World Cancer Day activities, both online and offline. Here are a few highlights that may be particularly suited for people in Kent and Medway:
24-Hour Online Letter Writing Marathon
Organized by the UK-based charity From Me To You, this event brings together letter writers from around the world to help keep people with cancer connected. It’s a fun, uplifting, and rewarding experience where you can join for a 1-hour slot—or more if you’d like!
Attending is completely free, and you can book your place on their website:
www.frommetoyouletters.co.uk/blog/24hr-online-letter-writing-marathon
Walk Through London’s Legendary Football Stadiums
Football fans, this one’s for you! Adrian Conoboy MBE, founder of We Can Kick It (a charity empowering children affected by cancer), will walk 40 miles across London in under 24 hours, visiting seven iconic football stadiums. Joined by friends and young cancer survivors, Adrian aims to raise £10,000 to launch the charity’s first UK cancer support football programme.
The walk begins at Selhurst Park (Crystal Palace) at 6am and includes stops at West Ham, Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, and Brentford.
5K Your Way Meet-Up at Battersea Parkrun
Organized by Move Against Cancer, this special event encourages people affected by cancer to walk, run, volunteer, or cheer at the Battersea parkrun. If you can’t make it to London, don’t worry—Move Against Cancer has local 5K Your Way (5KYW) groups in Leybourne, Tunbridge Wells, and Gillingham participating in nearby Park Run activities.
Learn more about 5K Your Way:
www.moveagainstcancer.org/5k-your-way/
Let’s stand united this World Cancer Day.
For more information about local activities or to share your story with us, feel free to reach out.
Crossroads Macmillan Volunteer Support is here to listen, support, and help cancer patients in Kent & Medway throughout the year. Let’s make World Cancer Day 2025 a day to remember!