Every year, over 11 lakh new people are diagnosed with cancer in India and over 7.5 lakh people die from the disease. Globally, cancer is now the second leading cause of death, causing over 9.6 million deaths in 2018- more than HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. There is a clear need to create more awareness around cancer, and for this, the YouWeCan (YWC) Foundation volunteers conducted a week-long campaign on World Cancer Day, to spread awareness and encourage people around them to know more about cancer at the Shoolini University.

 The YWC Foundation believes that the key to fighting cancer in India lies in awareness and screening. Aligned with its vision, the YWC Foundation along with Shoolini University, carried out week-long activities that not only created conversation and engagement but also conducted screenings thus destigmatizing and spreading awareness around cancer.

 On this association, Shabnam Singh, Chairperson, YouWeCan Foundation said, “The cause that the foundation works towards is personal for me and to see Shoolini University share the same vision of a cancer-free India as we do, gives me immense pleasure. The battle that we are fighting for is not an easy one, but knowing the impact that we have in the lives of people keeps us going every single day. We welcome Shoolini University in this journey of ours”.

Local residents showed up to support the cause. A special cancer screening camp was also organized to mark #WorldCancerDay.  Doctors and surgeons from the prestigious Indus International Hospital and Oswal Cancer Hospital, Ludhiana also interacted with students and faculty to increase awareness about the deadly disease. Further, undergraduate students of the Faculty of Management Sciences and Liberal Arts (FMSLA) set up food stalls on campus to raise funds on #WorldCancerDay.

The event exemplified how we as ordinary citizens are striving to battle cancer in extraordinary ways. By spreading awareness we aim to create an India that is empowered to defeat cancer, one person at a time.