World Psycho-Oncology Day (WPOD)

Key Goals:

1. Raise Awareness: Increase global recognition of psycho-oncology as an essential component of cancer care.

2. Honor Jimmie Holland: Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Jimmie Holland, who laid the foundation for psycho-oncology.

3. Engage Stakeholders: Involve healthcare professionals, organizations, policymakers, and the public in recognizing and promoting the importance of psycho-oncology.

4. Promote Action: Encourage the integration of psycho-oncology in cancer care policies and practices worldwide.

5. Support Fundraising Efforts: Provide opportunities to raise funds for IPOS and federation members to support psycho-oncology initiatives.

World Psycho-Oncology Day will serve as a platform to:

• Educate the public, healthcare providers, and policymakers about the importance of psychosocial support in cancer care.

• Advocate for the integration of psycho-oncology into national and global cancer care guidelines.

• Celebrate the progress made in the field while highlighting areas needing further development.

• Empower patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals with resources and tools to prioritize mental health alongside physical health.

Get Involved in World Psycho-Oncology Day:

World Psycho-Oncology Day is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness of the psychological and emotional impact of cancer. It brings together professionals, institutions, and communities to advocate for better mental health support for cancer patients and their caregivers.

How You Can Participate

Awareness and Media Campaigns

• Organize press conferences and media outreach to highlight the importance of psycho-oncology.
• Launch social media campaigns using hashtags, infographics, and videos to spread awareness.
• Produce awareness videos featuring patient stories and expert insights about psycho-oncology where possible.
• Partner with influencers and celebrities to amplify the message.

Community and Institutional Engagement

• Collaborate with hospitals, universities, and workplaces to promote psycho-oncology services.
• Host awareness talks, support groups, and health fairs to engage local communities.

Educational and Advocacy Efforts

• Organize symposiums, public lectures, and workshops to educate professionals and the public.
• Advocate for policy changes and increased funding to integrate psycho-oncology into healthcare systems.

Global and Joint Initiatives

• Light up landmarks worldwide to symbolize unity in psycho-oncology awareness.
• Coordinate international testimonial videos, social media campaigns, and virtual symposiums to create a truly global impact.

Join us in making a difference—because mental health care is an essential part of cancer care.

How to get involved:

1. Holding an event and/or initiative to celebrate, or as part of WPOD? Submit details by going to https://funnelcom.typeform.com/to/XARp6USP
   •  A committee will review all submissions and decide if suitable for IPOS to promote on our website, social media and in our emails.
   • Approved submissions will be sent the WPOD logo for inclusion on local promotions.
   • Special note, inclusion of the WPOD logo is not to be perceived as endorsement from IPOS. As such, IPOS may ask it to be noted the event/initiative is solely for WPOD and not being endorsed by IPOS.
2. Share how you are involved!
   • Share photos, messages, social media using #WPOD on April 9 annually

Want to donate to IPOS in celebration of World Psycho-Oncology Day?

IPOS accepts financial support from all people interested in seeing cancer survivors and their loved ones receive the support and guidance they need while coping with cancer. Contributions will be used to further awareness of this need and to train oncology professionals to support their patients effectively on a psychological and social level. IPOS is a 501(c)(3) organization — in the U.S., donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. For all other countries, financial contributions to IPOS may be tax deductible. Contact your tax consultant for additional information or clarification regarding charitable deductions from donations to IPOS.

Donations can be made with Visa, MasterCard or American Express and will be charged in US funds. An instant receipt will be issued for donations paid for by credit card. IPOS also accepts donations made by check or money order payments. Remittance must be drawn on a U.S. bank or be an international money order in U.S. Dollars.

Your donation to IPOS supports programs that advance psychosocial oncology, improving the quality of care that cancer patients receive. With your generous contribution, IPOS will be able to expand its current programs and create new services while striving to ensure that all people with cancer have access to psychosocial services.

To donate, go to https://ipos-society.org/Donate

Questions: [email protected]