At first glance, Stephen Lewis doesnāt seem especially different from the average Canadian. Small in stature and unassuming, he carries himself with a quiet humility that belies his enormous international reputation as a politician, diplomat, author and humanitarian.
But the moment he opened his mouth last Friday to a crowd of around 200 at Ondaatje Hall, everyone was listening. Speaking articulately, passionately, and with cadences reminiscent of an era gone by, Lewis spoke about the need to begin focusing health policy on non-communicable diseases ā with an emphasis on cancer.
Mr. Lewisās talk was part of Dalhousie Stands Up 2 Cancer, a day of speakers, workshops, and panel discussions organized by the Department of Health and Human Performance in partnership with Go Public: The Campaign to Control Cancer. Mr. Lewis extended his Ontario public speaking tour (themed āThe People Vs. Cancerā), to make a special stop at pilipiliĀž».
Lighting a fire
Many have wondered why Mr. Lewis ā a well known activist who has made a name for himself by raising awareness of the ravages of HIV/AIDS on Africa ā is speaking on behalf of the Campaign to Control Cancer. He simply reminded the audience that āthere is no reason in the world why oneās view canāt expand to encompass other issues. Social justice doesnāt work in compartments. Itās all-encompassing, and I feel very strongly about this issue, and what might be achieved.ā
Pat Kelly, the program director for the Campaign to Control Cancer, spoke about the campaignās desire to make the cancer campaign as public as the HIV/AIDS campaign has become ā with the hopes of getting this important issue on the discussion tables in time for the G8 and G20 summits. āWe wanted to know, how do you take a situation like cancer and light a fire under people. Whatās the magic formula?ā she said.
One recurring theme in the speeches regarded the startling statistic that 50 per cent of cancers are preventable. By shifting more focus to issues of cancer prevention, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Lewis, and other advocates believe they can dramatically decrease incidences of cancer in Canada and the world. Non-communicable diseases are simply not on the political agenda, they believe, even though cancer and other health-related issues tie in strongly to the Millennium Development goals.
'I love students'
Mr. Lewis also spoke about his admiration for studentsā enthusiasm. He pointed to numerous global social justice campaigns that have been primarily kick-started by university students, and his desire that a cancer prevention movement be among them. āI love students,ā he said, ābecause you do so much more (for social justice issues) than youāll ever realize.ā
āI feel very bitter that I havenāt spent my entire life in a university environment,ā he joked. (Mr. Lewis has over 30 honourary degrees from universities despite never having earned a degree himself.)
The campaign is hoping that by engaging Canadians in a dialogue about cancer, they can help to reduce the statistic that one in three Canadians will get cancer.
āThe most important thing about these social justice issues is that you never give up,ā said Lewis. āIām almost levitating with the possibilities of engagement.ā