Today is World Cancer Day.

A personal reflection.

As I sit here on World Cancer Day 2025, I can't help but reflect on the journey that brought me here. I'm Will Wise, founder of CancerBae, and a stage 4 cancer patient. Today holds a special place in my heart, not just because of my personal journey, but because of what this day represents for millions around the world.

World Cancer Day began on February 4, 2000, at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris1. It was established to raise awareness, encourage prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer. As someone living with cancer, I can't stress enough how crucial these goals are.

This year's theme, "United by Unique," resonates deeply with me. It's all about placing people at the center of care and their stories at the heart of the conversation. That's exactly what we're trying to do with CancerBae - change the narrative and shift the stigma surrounding cancer.

When I was diagnosed 12 months ago, I made a decision. Cancer wouldn't define me; instead, I'd use my experience to make a difference. That's how CancerBae was born - a movement that's now reached over 15 million views and been featured in major media outlets.

World Cancer Day isn't just a date on the calendar. It's a global uniting initiative that's evolved over two decades. Today, hundreds of activities and events take place worldwide, bringing together communities, organisations, and individuals.

It's a powerful reminder that we're not alone in this.

The theme "United by Unique" for 2025-2027 explores different dimensions of people-centered cancer care5. It emphasizes the importance of compassionate and personalized care - something I've experienced firsthand during my journey. Every cancer story is unique, and every individual deserves care tailored to their needs.

As the founder of CancerBae, I believe in creating a borderless community where everyone, regardless of location, can be part of a supportive, understanding, and transparent network2. We're building a space that's inspirational, funny, lighthearted, and informative. A place where we can talk about the realities of living with cancer, share experiences, and come up with solutions to our everyday struggles.World Cancer Day reminds us that together, we can make a difference.

It's not just about raising awareness; it's about taking action. Whether it's supporting research, improving patient services, or simply being there for someone on their cancer journey, every action counts.

As we mark this day, I'm filled with hope. Hope for better treatments, hope for a cure, and hope for a world where cancer no longer instills fear. But most importantly, I'm hopeful because of the incredible community I've found - a community united in its uniqueness, strength, and determination.

To everyone out there fighting cancer, supporting a loved one, or working tirelessly in research and treatment: you are not alone. We are united by our unique experiences, and together, we are stronger than cancer.Let's use this World Cancer Day to recommit ourselves to this fight.

Share your stories, support one another, and let's continue to change the narrative around cancer. Because as I always say, cancer is not a death sentence - it's a chance to live life to the fullest.

Together, we can make a difference.
Together, we are #CancerBae