World Cancer Day Solidarity Challenge: joining forces with UICC to fight cancer

While the COVID-19 pandemic has seriously impacted cancer services and cancer organisations in many countries, UICC remains committed to providing the best possible support to its members and helping them deliver their life-saving services.

To raise much-needed funds for the global fight against cancer, UICC has teamed up with the international sports marketing agency ORSEN SA and ZWIFT, a provider of a virtual cycling platform with over two million registered subscribers from 195 countries.

Together, UICC and ORSEN have created one of the biggest virtual cycling events, the World Cancer Day Solidarity Challenge. It will take place on World Cancer Day on 4th February 2021 and will be hosted on the ZWIFT platform. 60,000+ cyclists and some of the top names in sports and entertainment will join to increase awareness about cancer and fundraise for UICC’s work in support of the global cancer community.

Inspiring action through cycling on World Cancer Day

“The World Cancer Day Solidarity Challenge is a great addition to the many activities taking place on World Cancer Day. The cycling event will inspire action on cancer through the promotion of sports and a healthy lifestyle.”
– James Wells, UICC Director of Members and Partners Development

Sports and entertainment celebrities, such as Mo Farah, Robert Pires, Frida Gustavsson and Leo Suter, will kick off the World Cancer Day Solidarity Challenge by competing against each other in a pursuit format cycling race. The race will be recorded and broadcast to the public on 4th February.

Cyclists of all levels are invited to join the big community ride on World Cancer Day to support the fight against cancer. They can either participate individually or as a member of a corporate team representing companies, businesses, organisations or institutions. Six different starting times staggered across time zones from Australasia to the Americas will allow participants from across the globe to join in.

The ride will be 45-minutes long. Participants will be able to compare their time with that of their favourite celebrity who competed in the celebrity race. Some of the celebrities may also sign up for the community ride as surprise guests.

Cyclists will be riding through Watopia, a fictional location on Zwift with scenery inspired by the Solomon Islands.

Cycling with a purpose

Registration for the World Cancer Day Solidarity Challenge is free, so UICC will be counting on participants’ generous donations. However, riders will need a subscription for the ZWIFT platform, a compatible bike and a stable internet connection. The subscription costs US$14.99 per month after a free 7-day trial period.

Individuals who do not want to cycle but nevertheless wish to make a donation can do so via the donation webpage without signing up to the ZWIFT platform. All funds will go directly to UICC in support of the global fight against cancer.

“Confronted with the unique crisis of the coronavirus pandemic, the inspiring progress that has been made in cancer prevention and treatment is at risk. If we want to see the cancer burden reduced – not increased – in the coming years, we need to act urgently. The World Cancer Day Solidarity Challenge is a unique opportunity to bring people on board who want to help us make a difference.”
– Dr Cary Adams, CEO of UICC