As we usher in a new year, how will you resolve to make a difference in 2024? One way to have a lasting impact is to participate in Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, which takes place 22 to 28 January.
Every day in the UK, we see nearly nine new cases of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer accounts for 2% of all new cancer cases in females. Cervical Cancer Awareness Week is an opportunity to get informed, get screened, and support the various charities in the UK who are working tirelessly to raise awareness, fund research, and support those affected by cervical cancer. In this post, we highlight five charities making a difference, including: Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the Eve Appeal, Cancer Research UK, Macmillan, and Wellbeing of Women.
This year, make a resolution to support a better future for those who are or may be diagnosed with cervical cancer. Please read on and get involved with these charities today!
Charities to Support Charities During Cervical Cancer Awareness Week
When someone is diagnosed with cervical cancer, the disease can often be successfully treated if it is detected early and managed effectively. During Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, it’s incredibly important to get informed and work together to support cervical cancer screening, prevention, and treatment. We hope you’ll consider supporting one of the following five charities this month.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust provides trusted information about gynaecological cancers and raises money to support cervical cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care. It was founded in memory of Jo, who died from cervical cancer at age 40. At the time, Jo and her husband James had trouble finding the information they needed on cervical cancer. Notably, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust spreads awareness around the importance of HPV vaccination and cervical screenings. The charity has a helpline to provide vital support services for women and nearly everyone who calls (96%) leaves feeling more informed about cervical cancer and 83% feel less worried.
Get involved: Start by watching this #WeCan end cervical cancer video. Then, use your voice to raise awareness within your constituency. Jo’s provides helpful instructions on how to contact your MP, MSP, or other local officials to encourage them to help end cervical cancer.
You can download special Cervical Cancer Awareness Week resources to put up in your workplace, school, or community group. Another way to get involved is to get informed. Read the facts about cervical cancer screening and spread the word with friends and family. Lastly, you can fundraise for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. Just email the fundraising team with your ideas and get started: fundraising@jostrust.org.uk.
The Eve Appeal
Every day in the UK, 60 women are diagnosed with gynaecological cancer and 21 die. For the Eve Appeal, “that’s far too many wives, daughters, sisters, partners and friends.” The Eve Appeal raises awareness of gynaecological cancers and funds lifesaving, ground-breaking research focused on risk prediction, early detection, and screening for all gynaecological cancers, including cervical cancer. It’s an important focus—currently only 6% of funding in the UK goes towards cancer prevention research. The Eve Appeal’s mission is simple yet ambitious: A future where gynaecological cancers are a disease of the past.
Get involved: During Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, support the Eve Appeal to fund innovative research, raise awareness, and break down taboos. You can take part in an event, take on a challenge (try the January squat challenge!), plan your own creative virtual or in-person fundraiser, or give a donation in someone’s memory. You can also talk to your charity board or employer about the many benefits of a corporate partnership with the Eve Appeal.
Cancer Research UK
For the past 120 years, Cancer Research UK has been making discoveries and saving lives. The charity has a major impact on cutting-edge research, and it works tirelessly to raise awareness about various cancers, including cervical cancer. Cancer Research UK funds scientists, doctors, and nurses “to beat cancer sooner”. It also works at a policy level to share evidence and inform policy related to cancer and research.
Get involved: Cancer Research UK runs several campaigns in honour of Cervical Cancer Awareness Week. For example, this month, you can sign up for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life to raise money for life-saving cancer research. Since it started 30 years ago, more than 10 million people have taken part in a Race for Life event, raising over £970 million towards cancer research. There’s a right race for everyone, from a 3K to a 10K and even a “Pretty Muddy” obstacle course for both kids and adults. If you’re not up for a challenge, you can also volunteer with Cancer Research UK, donate, or shop for feel-good items ranging from a boutique ASOS marketplace to a Race for Life dog shirt!
Macmillan Cancer Support
The mission of Macmillan Cancer Support is simple yet bold: to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. The charity raises money to provide vital cancer services, campaigns for better cancer care, and supports the cancer workforce. Since 1976, the organisation has also built more than 225 Macmillan Cancer Centres, including information and support centres, clinical oncology centres, and hospices.
Get involved: There are lots of ways to get involved with Macmillan during Cervical Cancer Awareness Week. For example, during the chilly month of January, you could host a warm Coffee Morning, in which you organise a coffee get-together whenever and wherever you would like. Get creative, add some homemade bakes, and bring your friends and family together to raise awareness and money to support people living with cancer. You can also find and attend an event or Shop with Macmillan. 100% of the profits from your purchase will help provide essential support services. Just visit the charity’s online store for everything from cards to flowers to indulgent chocolate gift boxes.
Wellbeing of Women
Wellbeing of Women saves and changes the lives of women, girls, and babies with investments in women’s gynaecological and reproductive health. The charity supports research that benefits millions of women and tackles the taboos surrounding women’s health—including cervical cancer but extending far beyond to all aspects of women’s health from period problems to menopause. Since 1964, Wellbeing of Women has invested more than £66 million in research to transform women’s health and wellbeing.
Get involved: During Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, consider supporting Wellbeing of Women with a fundraising event. You can sign up for an existing challenge, like the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April 2024, or chart your own creative campaign, from a bake-off to a movie night. The charity provides a fundraising kit with everything you need. You could also resolve to volunteer with Wellbeing of Women. Think about your own skills and interests and how you might be able to contribute to the charity’s mission. For example, Wellbeing of Women is currently seeking an Archiving Volunteer!
We hope this post helps you understand the importance of early screening for cervical cancer, especially as we acknowledge Cervical Cancer Awareness Week later this month. How will you get involved to improve the health and wellbeing of your friends, sisters, mothers, and daughters? Will you get involved with one of these five critical charities? What other organisations will you support? Please get in touch with our team any time, and we’ll see you out and about for Cervical Cancer Awareness Week!