National Cancer Prevention Month Events
February is Black History Month and National Cancer Prevention Month; these two moments are deeply connected. It’s time for us to join together and take a stand for a healthy future. A healthy future for all requires a dedicated focus on both cancer prevention and racial justice.
The themes for 2023 are:
- Week 1 – PFAS (aka “Forever Chemicals”),
- Week 2 – Pesticides and Childhood Cancer Prevention,
- Week 3 – Pollution, Climate, Health and Equity, and
- Week 4 – Safe and Healthy Homes.
We’ll be adding more events to the calendar below throughout the month. Check back frequently! Contact us if you’d like to add a cancer-prevention event to the calendar.
Week 1: PFAS
CFE's PFAS Week Begins! Watch CEH's 'Cape Fear Courage'
Mon, Jan 30
Today, CFE’s PFAS awareness week begins as part of National Cancer Prevention Month!
We couldn’t be prouder of CFE member Center for Environmental Health for their recently launched mini-docu video on the PFAS crisis in a North Carolina community ‘Cape Fear Courage.’
Like and share widely across social media!
What Happens to Toxic “Forever Chemicals" After Disposal?
Tues, Jan 31, 3pm ET
On May 23rd and 24th, 2022 Cancer Free Economy Network together with Sierra Club and Center for Health, Environment and Justice convened a virtual symposium to discuss the impact of toxic “forever chemicals” on communities living near, and downstream of, #PFASdisposal facilities.
Watch the Symposium opening video featuring keynote speaker Linda Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health and the National Toxicology Program.
Why Do We Fight? PFAS Disposal Harms Communities.
Wed, Feb 1, 3pm ET
Watch the PFAS Disposal Symposium Panel 1 recording connecting waste disposal, incineration, landfill issues, and the PFAS crisis to create an overall picture of the problem of PFAS disposal.
Panel 1 featured Sherry Costa Hanlon, whose community of Taunton, MA has been impacted by PFAS biosolids incineration, Tasha Stoiber, Environmental Working Group, on recent scientific reports, as well as Jose Luis Aguayo, the Senior Science Associate for CHEJ and Pamela Miller, Founder and Executive Director, Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT).
How Do We Win? Strategies for Organizing for Equitable PFAS Disposal
Thurs, Feb 2, 3pm ET
Watch Panel 2 which provided a broad overview of the history of organizing for equitable PFAS disposal.
The panel featured Jane Williams from California Communities Against Toxics, who discussed her vast experience organizing on this topic, and Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz from Earthjustice, who covered a lawsuit against the incineration of PFAS by the U.S. Department of Defense, along with Cheryl Sommer, United Congragations Metro East and Sherry Costa Hanlon, Clean Air Taunton.
Watch 'Burned' Film from NRDC and Actor/Producer Mark Ruffalo
Thurs, Feb 2
Did you know that toxic PFAS is commonly put into firefighter’s gear leading to higher rates of cancer?
Check out the trailer and film “Burned,” a collaboration with the Last Call Foundation, Footpath Pictures, the NRDC and actor/producer Mark Ruffalo.
The film covers the true story of how Diane Cotter, the spouse of a firefighter, revealed significant exposure to forever chemicals affecting the fire community.
Where Are We Moving?
Models for PFAS Disposal and a new path forwardFri, Feb 3
Watch the final PFAS Disposal Symposium Panel “Where Are We Moving? Models for PFAS Disposal and a new path forward” that focused on possible solutions to the PFAS Disposal crisis.
The panel featured Daniel Rosenberg, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); Sonya Lunder, Sierra Club; and Doug Hatler, Chief Revenue Officer of 374Water.
Week 2: Pesticides and Childhood Cancer Prevention
World Cancer Day - CFE Pesticides and Childhood Cancer Prevention Week Begins!
Sat, Feb 4
World Cancer Day will kick off a week of CFE social media posts featuring Childhood Cancer Prevention Initiative leaders, supporters as well as resources for Pesticides reduction, calls to action in support of the Protect America’s Children from Toxics Pesticide Act (PACTPA), and related childhood cancer prevention issues.
Follow CFE on social to get involved!
Download the Childhood Cancer: Cross-Sector Strategies for Prevention Report & Resources
All Week
Did you know that CFE has a whole page full of resources for cancer prevention?!
CFE even has a dedicated section to Childhood Cancer Prevention. Download the Childhood Cancer: Cross-Sector Strategies for Prevention Report, the CFE Childhood Cancer and Pesticides Fact Sheet and find links to more information and resources!
Watch CCPI's Share Your Story Prevent Childhood Cancer Playlist
All Week
ICYMI, the Childhood Cancer Prevention Initiative (CCPI) launched a campaign last September during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month seeking to highlighting the disparities in children’s exposure to toxic substances.
During Childhood Cancer Prevention and Pesticides week, we’re re-amplifying the voices of individuals affected by childhood cancer, as well as hearing from businesses and organizations supporting the changes necessary to reduce the risks for childhood cancer.
Sign on in Support of Protect America's Children from Toxic Pesticides Act (PACTPA)
All Week
Thanks to Senator Corey Booker, the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act was reintroduced February 3rd, 2023 as part of his package of bills to reform the U.S. food system.
From 1975 to 2017, leukemia incidence rates increased by roughly 34%, and incidence rates of brain and other central nervous system cancers increased 40%. Recognition is growing that hazardous exposures, including pesticides, have been linked to childhood cancer.
Sign on in support of PACTPA today at CFE member American Sustainable Business Network.
Cancer & Environment Network of SWPA Speaker Series
Sat, Feb 9, 12pm ET
The next CENSWPA Speaker Series will be held virtually on February 9 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET and will cover the topic of Radioactivity and Indoor Air Quality: Radon in Schools & The Impact on Children.
According to the EPA, a nationwide survey of radon levels in schools estimates that nearly one in five has at least one schoolroom with a short-term radon level above the action level. The EPA estimates that more than 70,000 schoolrooms in use today have high short-term radon levels.
Week 3: Pollution, Climate, Health and Equity
Watch ReGen Films – A New Resistance to Support CFE!
All Month
We’ve partnered with ReGen Films this month to bring you movies to deepen your understanding of the many issues related to promoting healthy environments where no one gets sick because of toxic chemicals where they live, learn, work, and play. Plus, 20% of every $2 rental of a Regen Film is a donation to the Cancer Free Economy!
This week, we’re highlighting ‘A New Resistance,’ a film about glyphosate and how it’s forever altered our world’s landscape and what it means for you, your children, and the planet.
CFE Member Green the Church EPA Call to Action
Tues, Feb 14
In November, the Biden-Harris Administration issued an updated draft rule to cut methane and other harmful pollutants from new and existing oil and gas operations.
However, there is more work to be done to ensure the strongest possible methane safeguards are finalized. Submit your comment TODAY to the EPA by using CFE member Green the Church’s link below, and urge your leaders to support safeguards to cut methane and other harmful pollution from the oil and gas industry.
The Big Blind Spot: Addressing Petrochemicals for Climate & Health
Wed, Feb 15
The Big Blind Spot with Bev Thorpe, Consulting Program Manager, Networks and Advocacy at Clean Production Action was hosted November 9, 2022 by the Cancer Free Economy (CFE) Network, sponsored by CFE member Clean Production Action (CPA) and facilitated by Audrey Tran Lam of the Climate, Toxics, Health and Equity (CTHE) group at CFE.
Watch the webinar as Bev sheds light on one of the largest blindspots in the twin crises of chemical pollution and climate change and learn ways we can help advance climate and health justice together.
CFE Member Breathe Project EPA Call to Action
Thur, Feb 16
Next week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a virtual public hearing on proposed particle pollution (soot) rules.
Join Breathe Project in adding your voice in urging the EPA to finalize the strongest and most comprehensive rules to protect children’s health from harmful particle (soot) pollution. Register today for the public hearing taking place Feb 21-22.
Week 4: Safe and Healthy Homes
CFE Safe and Healthy Homes Week Begins!
Mon, Feb 20
Today is Presidents’ Day, but don’t let the holiday stop you from finding out ways to limit your families exposures to toxic chemicals in your home, your cleaning products and more! Follow CFE on social to stay up-to-date!
Watch The Safe & Healthy Cleaning Videos
All Week
Did you know that household cleaners face many challenges to their health and well-being at work, including insecure employment, low wages, stressful working conditions and exposure to harmful chemicals from cleaning and disinfecting products?
Visit CFE’s Household Cleaners’ Health and Safety Lab page to find helpful resources on cleaning vs. disinfecting, the harm of disinfectants, and how to find safer alternatives.
CFE’s Household Cleaners Health & Safety Lab participants created a video series to speak to employers about how they can protect the health of the household cleaners they employ, as well as the health of people living in the home, including vulnerable children. Watch and share the videos today!
Watch ReGen Films – Unacceptable Levels
All Week
We’ve partnered with RegenFilms with videos to share to deepen your understanding of the many issues related to promoting healthy environments where no one gets sick because of toxic chemicals where they live, learn, work, and play. Plus, 20% of every rental of a Regen Film is a donation to the Cancer Free Economy!
This week, we’re highlighting ‘Unacceptable Levels,’ a film about the unseen threat of toxic chemicals that we come into contact with during our daily lives. With over 80,000 chemicals in our system of commerce today, many of which have never been tested for safety, which ones are affecting you, your friends and your family?
This film explores what we can all do about the global toxicity crisis.
Watch ReGen Films – Advance Warning
All Week
We have another RegenFilms video to share this week to deepen your understanding of the many issues related to promoting healthy environments where no one gets sick because of toxic chemicals where they live, learn, work, and play. Plus, 20% of every rental of a Regen Film is a donation to the Cancer Free Economy!
This week, we’re highlighting ‘Advance Warning,’ a film about the use of a specific group of toxic chemicals, PFAS and flame retardants.
Flame retardants are used in all kinds of products, and many of those are completely unnecessary and found in your home. These chemicals are now found in every single life form on the planet. This film explores how all of this happened, and where we go from here.
More Events During National Cancer Prevention Month
National Cancer Prevention Workshop
February 2
Join Less Cancer for National Cancer Prevention Day Virtual Workshop.
Every year, Less Cancer, and Founder Bill Couzens, brings together science and health professionals to educate the public about how many cancers can be prevented.
This year they will be highlighting disparities in access to preventative healthcare and treatment.
World Cancer Day Activities and Resources
February 4
World Cancer Day is February 4th. See the World Cancer Day website for links to upcoming events and activities, download fact sheets, and explore how the world is spreading the word about cancer and the need for further efforts needed to curb the disease.
Childhood Cancer Prevention Day
2023
February 28, 2023
PREP4Gold, a Childhood Cancer Prevention Initiative (CCPI) participating organization, founded Childhood Cancer Prevention Day in 2022.
In honor of the 2nd annual CCP Day, join CCPI in supporting the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act!
Childhood cancer is the #1 disease killer of our children. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Watch ReGen Films – The Sky is Falling
February 28, 2023
To finish out National Cancer Prevention Month, we have a final RegenFilms video to share with you. As a reminder, 20% of every rental of a Regen Film linked on this page will be donated to the Cancer Free Economy!
This week, we’re highlighting ‘The Sky is Falling,’ one of the most influential environmental documentary films ever created. It was the first documentary film of its kind endorsed by the U.S. Congress and helped to change the course of the country on environmental pollution.
