OncoThon 2026: GCR featured in World Cancer Day Event
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
OncoDaily, in collaboration with the Union for International Cancer Control, recognized World Cancer Day this year with a special Global OncoThon featuring over 120 speakers including the Global Coalition for Radiotherapy (GCR) Executive Director Darien Laird.
In this 24-hour digital telethon uniting together to improve cancer care, Darien shared the history of GCR, the growth and progress it has made over the years, how cancer has touched her life personally, and GCR’s mission to save one million more lives over the next 10 years.
“Sharing this message on World Cancer Day, where we’re talking about advocacy, and we’re talking about a campaign–that’s really at the heart of what the Global Coalition for Radiotherapy is. We want to advocate for every single patient to have unique care, and to get the access to that care that they need around the world.”
Critical to GCR’s patient advocacy is our vital network of radiation oncologists, medical physicists, patient advocates, and industry partners who are dedicated to prioritizing radiotherapy as an essential component of cancer care. Darien emphasized the importance of this network in working together as a community.
In addition, she shared other GCR priorities including industry collaboration, building resilience, and the publication of the GCR Radiotherapy Essential Standards. A framework of key components which will serve as a practical implementation tool to help nations at various stages of development build and strengthen their cancer plans.
Darien concluded her remarks with the simple message that we need to make sure healthcare is still the center of our conversation.
“When the world is not prioritizing healthcare, we need to make sure that we raise our voice and say healthcare is vital. Cancer patients deserve the care that they need. We can treat, cure, and have survivors of cancer. The data is there and we need the resources for it.”
Review the recap, or watch the Oncothon.
Darien Laird's presentation begins at 14:45:30