Current statistics in the UK say that 1 in 2 people will be impacted by cancer in their lifetimes in some way. That percentage is staggering when you consider the UK population is 60 million people. When expanded to a global scale, it is estimated that 10 million people die per year as a consequence of cancer, with estimates increasing to 13 million by 2030.
Friday, February 4 is “World Cancer Day” and Zwift is supporting this important day by connecting with the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to raise awareness and try and help prevent millions of people from dying prematurely. To achieve this, Zwift and the UICC are uniting to host the “World Cancer Day Solidarity Challenge”.
This year, the theme is “Close the Care Gap”. It’s all about raising awareness of the disparity of care affecting millions in high, low, and middle-income countries.
Schedule, Routes, and Special Guests
The World Cancer Day Solidarity Challenge consists of six rides and six runs hosted at different times throughout the day to enable Zwifters worldwide to participate.
But like any cancer journey, Zwift events aren’t solo efforts. To represent this fact, participants will be joined by a host of sporting superstars such as Alistair Brownlee, Kristian Blummenfelt, Lucy Charles-Barclay, Lawrence Dallaglio, Jan Frodeno, Martin Johnson, Robert Pires, Nicola Spirig, Paula Radcliffe, Carla Suarez-Navarro, Lauren Steadman, and DeAngelo Williams.
The rides and runs will take place in the New York world map. Rides will use the Park Perimeter Loop while runs will use the Park to Peak route. Each run and ride event will last for 45 minutes.
Rides:
• Ride 1: 6pm Eastern Australian Time – Sydney (GMT/UTC +11) with Alistair BROWNLEE, Nicola SPIRIG, Kristian BLUMMENFELT & Lucy CHARLES-BARCLAY
• Ride 2: 6pm Singapore Standard Time (GMT/UTC +8) with Lawrence DALLAGLIO, Paula RADCLIFFE, Robert PIRES, Carla SUAREZ-NAVARRO, Simon CARR* & Julius VAN DEN BERG*
• Ride 3: 6pm Gulf/UAE Standard Time (GMT/UTC +4) with Mikel LANDA* & Gino MADER*
• Ride 4: 6pm GMT with Chris OPIE, Lauren STEADMAN, Martin Johnson & Matt STEPHENS
• Ride 5: 6pm EST with DeAngelo WILLIAMS* & Chris HARKEY*
• Ride 6: 6pm PST with Heather JACKSON*
(*) Ride Captains for each ride
Runs:
- Run 1: 7:15 pm Eastern Australian Time – Sydney
- Run 2: 7:15 pm Singapore Standard Time
- Run 3: 7:15 pm Gulf/UAE Standard Time
- Run 4: 7:15 pm GMT
- Run 5: 7:15 pm EST
- Run 6: 7:15 pm PST
Sign up/schedule at https://www.zwift.com/events/series/worldcancerday
Jersey Unlock and Purchase
Finish any event of the series to unlock the in-game 2022 World Cancer Day kit.
Le Col have created a bespoke IRL jersey you can purchase, with part of the profits donated to the charity. Here is the link to the jersey.
About the UICC and Zwift
The UICC “represents the world’s major cancer societies, ministries of health and patient groups and includes influential policymakers, researchers and experts in cancer prevention and control.”
In their own words they “unite and support the cancer community to reduce the global cancer burden, to promote greater equity, and to ensure that cancer control continues to be a priority in the world health and development agenda.”
I spoke to Nicole Engelbrecht, Head of Communications and Marketing at the UICC who explained that following their very successful collaboration with Zwift in 2021, it seemed natural to continue because “the global nature of Zwift helped raise awareness to the cancer challenge.” Nicole noted that as a consequence of the global pandemic, traditional fundraising methods have not been able to happen and UICC member organisations have had to utilise other mediums and embrace new technologies to raise much-needed awareness and revenue to help fight cancer.
We discussed the new World Cancer Day theme “Close the Care Gap” and noted how even in Western societies, there are different levels of cancer treatment and care, which includes not just the physical impact of cancer but also addressing the psychological challenges it brings. As Nicole explained, “the campaign wants to highlight and help address the significant barriers that prevent many people around the world from accessing life-saving preventive services, diagnostics, treatment and care. These barriers lead to wide discrepancies in the risks of developing and surviving cancer. That is the essence of the ‘Close the Care Gap’ campaign.”
Donations
To contribute to the cause, donate at solidaritychallenge.org/donate
According to the official website, “all donations raised through the World Cancer Day Solidarity Challenge go directly to the Union for International Cancer Control, the world’s oldest and largest cancer-fighting organisation. Help by making an individual donation or fundraise amongst your community, friends and family.”
Summing Up
I am full of praise for the excellent events that Zwift are facilitating in partnership with the UICC, because they effectively unite the community and raise awareness for an important global issue. Furthermore, I think it’s great to see the UICC exploring opportunities, despite facing unprecedented challenges, to secure much-needed revenue to ensure the cancer battle continues. I for one will be donating and undertaking multiple rides to support those like myself who have been directly or indirectly impacted by cancer.
For more information, visit: https://www.solidaritychallenge.org/world-cancer-day-2022
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