Mrs. Miri Ziv, ICA Director General and member of the Executive Committee of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) has been chosen to serve as a Global Cancer Ambassador by the American Cancer Society (ACS).
September 2011 saw a High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) (including cancer) of the UN General Assembly in New York, attended by heads of state, dignitaries, and leaders from across the globe.
The aim of the meeting was to set global policy guidelines for contending with these diseases - a golden opportunity to make cancer a global priority.
Miri Ziv was chosen by virtue of her activity as ICA Director General and in view of the fact that she has initiated and served as the driving force behind the implementation of projects advancing the fight against cancer in Israel. Additionally, Miri suffered the loss of both her son and brother, who succumbed to cancer.
While preparing for the special UN meeting, Miri Ziv represented Israel at an unprecedented event held in New York in June that was organized by the American Cancer Society and orchestrated by cancer survivors and activists.
This meeting was held to put a face on the global cancer burden and engage the UN and its member states in addressing the global cancer issue.
Upon the approach of the event, under the slogan: "We Can, We Should, We Will Conquer Cancer", the ACS invited 80 inspirational "Global Ambassadors" from around the world who have a compelling story to tell about how the disease is affecting their countries, their lives and their families.
Additional meetings were held at the UN so that the different delegations could encourage their governments to lend support on a global scale to the fight against these diseases.
ICA Ministry of Health Director General, Prof. Roni Gamzu, invited Mrs. Ziv to join the delegation to be led by acting Minister of Health, Rabbi Yaakov Litzman.