Vicare GU, a civil society organisation dedicated to supporting those affected by genitourinary cancers, launched the Vicare GU: United for Bladder Cancer Awareness campaign. This comprehensive initiative focused on raising awareness, providing education, and fostering community support through a combination of virtual, social media, and in-person activities.

The campaign featured a virtual symposium on 28 May, bringing together prominent health professionals to share valuable insights with patients, families, and the public. Throughout the month, Vicare distributed informational pamphlets in hospitals, offering key resources and contact details to patients. Their innovative “Yo Puedo, Vos Podés”initiative encouraged bladder cancer patients to share their experiences in peer-to-peer talks, creating a supportive and empowering environment.

On social media, daily posts, reels, and stories under #MesDelCáncerDeVejiga24 and #cáncerdevejiga reached a wide audience, amplified by paid advertisements. To conclude the campaign, Vicare hosted a mindfulness walk around the lakes of Palermo, led by psycho-oncologist Nancy Ferro, offering participants an opportunity for reflection and connection.

Vicare’s efforts successfully engaged diverse audiences, combining education, emotional support, and community involvement. By leveraging various platforms and approaches, the campaign significantly advanced bladder cancer awareness and support in Argentina.

One Community, a local NGO in Malawi, launched the Pamodzi Pofaritsa Uthenga Wozindikiritsa Za Nthenda Ya Cancer Ya Mchikodzozo campaign to enhance bladder cancer awareness across underserved regions. The initiative utilised diverse communication channels to educate the public, promote early detection, and provide support for affected individuals, reaching an impressive audience nationwide.

The campaign engaged medical personnel and trained over 600 volunteers and community leaders to deliver bladder cancer awareness messages. Door-to-door visits reached 687 households, while 21 support groups were established to offer ongoing assistance to patients and families. Awareness materials were widely distributed, and outreach activities through churches engaged 200,000 individuals. Media efforts, including live TV and radio discussions, reached over 800,000 people, while outdoor campaigns engaged more than 350,000 citizens across ten districts.

Despite challenges like material production delays, the campaign had a substantial impact, reaching over 500,000 citizens. By combining grassroots initiatives, media engagement, and community support, the campaign successfully raised awareness and strengthened bladder cancer advocacy in Malawi.

Empowerment for Sustainable Livelihood launched the BladderWell: Nurturing Health, Empowering Lives campaign to raise awareness, promote early detection, and support individuals affected by bladder cancer. The initiative combined community-based activities and digital outreach, making a significant impact across Ghana.

Free screenings through mobile clinics reached over 500 people, with 10% referred for further medical evaluation. Community workshops educated 1,200 participants, while support groups expanded to include over 300 individuals and their families. Online awareness campaigns and educational webinars reached thousands, while public events like health fairs attracted significant attention and local media coverage.

The campaign also fostered partnerships with healthcare providers and increased traffic to its online platform, offering essential educational resources and live support. By facilitating early detection, expanding support networks, and engaging communities, the BladderWell campaign made a lasting impact on bladder cancer advocacy in Ghana.

The Blue-Pink Center for Women’s Health launched the BladderAlert Naija: Igniting Change, Inspiring Hope campaign during Bladder Cancer Awareness Month 2024 to address the urgent need for awareness, prevention, and early diagnosis of bladder cancer in Nigeria. Combining digital, print, and in-person initiatives, the campaign reached over 90,000 people through a variety of activities, including a virtual symposium attended by 152 participants, a radio segment on Miliki 101.3 FM that engaged 20,000 listeners, and a culturally tailored awareness video in nine Nigerian languages shared widely on social media.

The campaign also featured in prominent publications like the Exchange Alumni Newsletter and the Nigerian Tribune, further amplifying its impact. Through nurse-led education sessions, print materials distributed across communities, and social media outreach, BladderAlert Naija not only raised awareness but also empowered individuals like Mrs. Ojo Taiwo to take proactive steps in their health and educate others. By successfully reaching underserved populations, this initiative has laid a strong foundation for continued efforts to combat bladder cancer in Nigeria.

Oncoguia, based in Brazil, aimed to spread vital information on preventing, early diagnosing, and treating bladder cancer. They launched a virtual patient education campaign, partnering with various Brazilian institutions. While Brazil observes Bladder Cancer Awareness Month in July, Oncoguia also promoted awareness in May, sharing WBCPC’s messages like the “Unsure Icon.”

In July, their “Ame Sua Bexiga” (Love your Bladder) campaign was introduced, focusing on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. Collaborating with uro-oncologist Fernando Korkes, they produced a playlist of 16 videos, receiving over 10,000 impressions, covering essential patient topics. Another 11-video playlist was crafted to debunk bladder cancer myths, also gaining nearly 10,000 impressions.

On July 26, 2023, a live talk titled “Bladder Cancer, we need to talk more about it” was hosted by Oncoguia’s founder, Luciana Holtz, and experts Dr. Korkes and Dr. Mauro Gomes. Broadcasted on multiple social media platforms, the archived talk has since received over 990 views and 12,336 impressions.

Oncoguia’s strategic bladder cancer awareness initiatives, combining educational campaigns, expert insights, and social media engagement, have effectively spread crucial information, showcasing their dedication to bladder cancer advocacy.

In May 2023, the Women’s Education and Economic Development Society (WEEDS) teamed up with the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition to enhance bladder cancer awareness in Kancheepuram district’s Mangadu, Anagaputhur, and Kundrathur areas. With contributions from Dr. Vikram, Dr. Vinodhi, and other experts from RMD Hospital, the initiative reached over 725 women, offering crucial insights.

The programme’s primary objective was to enlighten suburban and rural women, who often placed family health above their own. Post-initiative, a significant shift was observed as women became more informed about bladder cancer symptoms, leading to a proactive approach towards medical consultation.

Through a combination of community outreach and online sessions, the campaign engaged 180+ Self-Help Group members, distributing educational materials like pamphlets and videos. Notably, 24 women expressed interest in pre-consultation at RMD Hospital, highlighting the campaign’s emphasis on early detection.

In total, the initiative engaged over 930 women. Many sought clarity on symptoms during community interactions, showcasing the campaign’s impact. The combined efforts of WEEDS and the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition successfully raised awareness among women in Kancheepuram district. By addressing symptoms and promoting medical consultations, the campaign not only educated but also empowered women, serving as a testament to the effectiveness of community-driven health awareness.

Mansoura University Safety Society (MUSS) in Egypt launched awareness campaigns to assess and boost public knowledge of bladder cancer, gathering around 1,700 questionnaires. They distributed leaflets with translated infographics and symptoms in Arabic. Interactive events, such as a bladder cancer quiz and games like bingo and darts, were organised, with prizes for participants. Supportive messages for patients were also collected and showcased at the Urology and Nephrology Center’s clinics.

MUSS collaborated with Prof. Dr. Alaa A Moukhtar for an online orientation session and set up awareness booths at various locations in May. On May 24th, a symposium was held at Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, attended by renowned nephrology and urology experts. Additionally, a video with consultant urologist Dr. Mohamed M. Elsherbiny was created, highlighting essential bladder cancer information.

MUSS’s efforts have significantly advanced bladder cancer awareness through varied campaigns, interactive events, and expert collaborations, emphasizing early detection and proactive health actions.

In the Nkhata Bay district of Malawi, the Direct Impact Foundation for Youth (DIFY) spearheaded a bladder cancer awareness campaign. This initiative emphasized the symptoms of the disease and underscored the importance of seeking medical advice when in doubt. Recognizing bladder cancer’s significant impact in Malawi, as highlighted by the WHO, DIFY collaborated with local communities and youth to align with global awareness efforts.

With the support of BCAM Grants, DIFY directly engaged with 500 individuals in Nkhata Bay using various methods. They utilized outdoor sports events for awareness, conducted youth focus group discussions to deepen understanding of bladder cancer, and held health talks and interviews to educate communities. These sessions covered global trends, local impact, symptoms, risk factors, and responses to uncertainties. Collaborations with organizations, such as EN MARRIAM FOUNDATION, further amplified the campaign’s message. Additionally, sporting activities like football and netball were employed to engage the youth, with football alone drawing significant rural audiences and reaching over 2000 people.

By actively involving local communities and youth in a range of initiatives, DIFY successfully heightened awareness about bladder cancer symptoms and the critical nature of timely medical consultation. With the campaign reaching over 2000 individuals, DIFY’s efforts stand as a commendable example of effective community-driven health awareness.

Campaigning For Cancer developed an educational poster in both English and isiZulu to raise awareness about bladder cancer in South Africa. This helpful resource summarises the main sign and symptoms of bladder cancer and advanced bladder cancer.

The President of Europa Donna Albania developed a social media campaign and aimed at informing and educating people about bladder cancer in Albania.

Weeds India developed an awareness programme to raise awareness about this condition among over 500 women in two different blocks. Women who participated in the program wanted to create awareness among people from their community as most people are not aware of bladder cancer.