Stand Up To Cancer Canada (SU2C Canada) and the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) have joined forces to launch a new public service announcement (PSA) campaign featuring Canadian-born “Will & Grace” star and Stand Up To Cancer Canada Ambassador Eric McCormack. The French and English campaign, including print, TV, radio, out-of-home, and digital PSAs, will be seen in media outlets beginning this month.
The PSA, “Life in the Face of Cancer,” highlights the importance of cancer research to get new treatments to patients quickly so they can thrive. One in two Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, and cancer is the country’s leading cause of death. About 206,000 Canadians were diagnosed with cancer in 2018 (565 diagnosed every day).
McCormack lost both his parents and his father-in-law to cancer. “This cause is incredibly close to my heart, and I’m proud to be involved in this effort to raise awareness about cancer treatment options,” said the Emmy Award®-winning McCormack. “I’m hopeful that progress in cancer research and clinical trials that are available will allow more Canadians to thrive in the face of cancer.”
The PSA powerfully states, “We all have a story to tell and no matter who you are—a mother, a son, a best friend—cancer will change your life forever. But with research, we can change the story and help Canadians affected by cancer to live their lives to the fullest.”
The PSA also features survivors Sabrina Moreino, 22, ovarian cancer, (Oshawa); James Morris, 58, colon cancer, (Alberta); and Mei-Lin Yee, 55, breast cancer, (Montreal). TV personality Nadège St-Phillipe (Montreal), who was diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer at age 36, narrates the French radio PSA. The PSA encourages people to visit StandUpToCancer.ca/CCS to learn more about the cancer treatments available to patients, as well as clinical trials pursuing the development of new and effective treatments.
“We are grateful to Eric McCormack for lending his voice to this campaign and supporting SU2C Canada and CCS in this call to action,” said Stand Up To Cancer President and CEO Sung Poblete, PhD, RN. “He can help draw attention to the options available, including standard of care and clinical trials advancing new therapies and treatments, to help cancer patients become long-term survivors.”
“With roughly 200,000 Canadians diagnosed with cancer each year, we share SU2C Canada’s commitment to fighting and treating cancer,” said Paula Roberts, Executive Vice-President of Marketing and Communications at the Canadian Cancer Society. “Eric’s voice is a tremendous asset to drawing attention to our cause and we are proud to collaborate with Eric and SU2C Canada to raise awareness and help Canadians affected by cancer live their lives to the fullest.”
Please visit StandUpToCancer.ca/CCS to view the PSA and to learn more about the campaign and about cancer treatments available and in development. To join the conversation, follow us on Facebook @SU2C.ca and @CanadianCancerSociety, and on Instagram and Twitter @SU2C_ca and @cancersociety for the latest updates.