Celebrate UICC World Cancer Day by advocating for today's children and tomorrow's world.

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Practice is the best way to improve your communication skills. Another method is to learn and model from other advocacy group efforts. A great way to begin is to celebrate World Cancer Day on February 4 with the International Union Against Cancer (UICC).

Check out the online tools available to help promote World Cancer Day at www.worldcancercampaign.org, which are great examples of how to engage and educate individuals to take action. The site offers fact sheets, tips, and even downloadable posters to help promote World Cancer Day. UICC has developed key partnerships for its multiyear initiative to raise awareness worldwide about the dangers of secondhand smoke.

Notice how UICC has identified its target audience as parents and has developed key messages geared toward that audience, such as

* There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

* Because you care, protect your children from secondhand smoke.

* Avoid smoking or allowing others to smoke in your home or car, even when your children are not there.

* Do not smoke while pregnant or near someone who is pregnant.

Other key messages are tailored to health educators, professionals, and community leaders.

The site also outlines the goals for the campaign, which include developing sustainable educational pilot projects and mobilizing local cancer societies and the communities they serve.

Now it is your turn. Decide how you can get involved in the efforts. UICC has provided the tools-act now to use them and improve your advocacy skills at the same time.

Karen Hochberg, MS, ONS Director of Marketing and Public Relations