During Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis, Radiotherapy UK and Global Coalition for Radiotherapy Launch Advocacy Toolkit
As the war in Ukraine leaves thousands of cancer patients with an uncertain future and the COVID pandemic continues to radically impact cancer care, Radiotherapy UK in collaboration with Global Coalition for Radiotherapy (GCR) launches an Advocacy Toolkit to ensure access to quality radiotherapy is universal and equitable so that more cancer patients can be cured.
“Radiotherapy is needed in 40% of cancer cures,” said Professor Pat Price, MA MD FRCP FRCR, GCR Co-Founder and Chair of Radiotherapy UK. “It is often overlooked as one of the three main cancer treatment modalities, and yet is ideally suited for today’s technology developments.”
“The COVID pandemic disrupted cancer services around the world and now, in Ukraine, the war has displaced 10 million people to date. Many refugees still need their urgent cancer treatment. We must support our cancer patients and professionals and give them a voice. We urge people to use this Advocacy Toolkit to call for better radiotherapy services for all.”
The Advocacy Toolkit gives radiation oncologists, industry leaders, providers of care, global health organisations, patient advocates and radiotherapy professional teams, the tools to build a campaign. By following the recommendations, organisations can focus their collective resources more effectively, streamline messaging, avoid duplicative efforts and measure results.
Also available for download is a companionship Radiotherapy Fact Sheet that breaks down the complexities of the cutting-edge cancer treatment. This no-nonsense document will help communicate the convenience, cost effectiveness and proven efficiency of radiotherapy treatment.
This launch coincides with the GCR’s 2nd anniversary. The GCR was formed on April 8, 2020 to understand the challenges and opportunities facing radiotherapy delivery during the disruption of cancer services worldwide caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the past two years, the coalition of global contributors have collaborated in dozens of webinars, several publications and established a Radiotherapy Task Force to help gather these advocacy tools and create this necessary resource.
The Advocacy Toolkit and Radiotherapy Fact Sheet can be downloaded from the recently redesigned GCR website, www.globalradiotherapy.org/advocacy.
More information about the Global Coalition for Radiotherapy and how to join may be found at www.globalradiotherapy.org.
