60,000+ cyclists and many names in sport and entertainment are expected to join a virtual bike ride on Zwift this World Cancer Day (4th February).
The Solidarity Challenge on Zwift is the result of a partnership between the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and international sports marketing agency ORSEN. The challenge aims to increase awareness about cancer and help prevent millions of people from dying prematurely from the disease.
Celebrities will kick off the World Cancer Day Solidarity Challenge on 4th February, competing in a race that will be broadcast worldwide. High profile participants include: including Mo Farah (4x Olympic Gold medallist), Robert Pirès (Football – World & European Champion), Lawrence Dellaglio (Rugby – Six Nations & World Cup Winner), Diangelo Williams (US Football/NFL Player) and many more.
Official Partners of the challenge are: IWC Schaffhausen as official timing partner; and Wahoo Fitness as official indoor training partner.
Zwift is the challenge’s official digital training partner, and Le Col is also on-board as official cycling apparel supporter.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted cancer services and cancer organisations in many countries, the need for life-saving treatments and care remains as acute as ever. The latest estimates indicate that people dying prematurely from cancer has risen to 10 million in 2020 alone.
A release from the Solidarity Challenge noted…
‘To raise much-needed funds for the global fight against cancer, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the largest and oldest global membership organisation dedicated to the fight against cancer, has teamed up with the international sports marketing agency ORSEN SA and with Zwift, a provider of a virtual cycling platform with over two million registered subscribers from 195 countries.’
Dr Cary Adams, CEO of UICC, said “Confronted with the unique crisis of the coronavirus pandemic, the inspiring progress that has been made in cancer prevention and treatment is at risk. If we want to see the cancer burden reduced – not increased – in the coming years, we need to act urgently.
“The World Cancer Day Solidarity Challenge is a unique opportunity to bring people on board who want to help us make a difference.”
Six different starting times staggered across time zones from Australasia to the Americas will allow participants from across the globe to join in. Each ride will be 45 minutes long. Participants will be able to compare their time with that of their favourite celebrity who competed in the celebrity race.
Registration for the World Cancer Day Solidarity Challenge is free, so UICC will be counting on participants’ and the public’s generous donations. All funds will go to UICC in support of the global cancer community.
UICC has 1,200 member organisations representing almost every country in the world, and helps them urge their respective governments to take action and ensure that comprehensive cancer programmes and services are a national priority. It also offers international fellowships, training courses, master courses, webinars and a portfolio of online and offline resources on cancer control.
“Solidarity Challenge is Orsen’s plug-and-play solution for charities and foundations that unite communities to raise awareness and donations for humanitarian and environmental causes,” said Sean O’Reilly, CEO at ORSEN SA.
“We are delighted to partner with Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in support of the global fight against cancer.”
www.solidaritychallenge.org/world-cancer-day
www.uicc.org
www.orsen.ch
www.worldcancerday.org
