NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The first ever National Hispanic Cancer Awareness Day (NHCAD) has been established. The goals for this important campaign are to raise visibility, promote prevention and early detection, mobilize communities around this issue, and share hope. The day selected to raise awareness and unite our communities is September 15-the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month. Cancer is the number one killer among Hispanics/Latinos nationally according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“National Hispanic Cancer Awareness Day calls to mobilize Hispanic/Latino communities around the country to take action by breaking the silence about this terrible killer,” said Guillermo Chacon, founder of the Hispanic Health Network, president of the Latino Commission of AIDS and cancer survivor. “For me it’s personal. The importance of early detection, access to education, treatment, as well as sharing hope and courage, is critical.”

Faith communities, community based organizations, media, academic institutions, researchers, healthcare institutions, and civic leaders, along with elected officials will unite to take action against cancer.

“As a community we must confront the stigma associated with cancer-a disease that has taken so many members of our Latino families. Access to cancer education, early detection and treatment is our number one priority,” stated Dr. Elena Rios, President of the National Hispanic Medical Association.

This year our goal is to establish this as the national day, and encourage organizations, institutions and individuals to join the campaign, because together we will beat cancer.

The founders of this important and historical day of hope and action are: Hispanic Health Network (national), Hispanic Federation (national), Alianza America (transnational), Urban Health Plan (New York), Latino Commission on AIDS (national), National Hispanic Medical Association (national), Bienestar (Los Angeles), La Clinica del Pueblo (Washington, DC), Consulate General of Mexico in NYC, Latinas contra el Cancer, National Hispanic Council on Aging (national), Center for Latino Adolescent & Family Health at NYU (national), Mount Sinai Hospital (NYC), Latinos Salud (Florida), Mixteca (NYC) Cancer Tamer (NYC), Latina SHARE Cancer Support (national), The Latino Religious Leadership Program (NYC) and others.

FOR OUR FAMILIES LET’S BEAT CANCER

For opportunities to support this on-going campaign,
please visit www.hispanicnet.org

SOURCE National Hispanic Cancer Awareness Day (NHCAD)