CANCER RESEARCH UK CREATES WORLD’S FIRST SOCIAL ICON ‘DO’ BUTTON
Don’t just like, DO! Cancer Research UK inspires people to #ActNowForResearch
In a world first Cancer Research UK has developed a digital ‘DO’ button, encouraging the nation not just to like something they see but also to do something about it in 2014.
Launched as part of its campaign to raise awareness of the importance of research in beating cancer, the ‘DO’ button is a simple reminder that there are lots of ways that people can take action to help Cancer Research UK beat cancer sooner.
Once installed, the ‘DO’ button appears alongside other social media icons on websites and blogs. When pressed, it directs people to a random #ActNowForResearch generator, which provides an immediate way for someone to support Cancer Research UK’s work.
Action doesn’t just mean donations. The #ActNowForResearch generator suggests many different ways – both humorous and more traditional – from uploading a selfie with #ActNowForResearch written on your forehead, donating a pound for every cat picture you email in a week, signing up for Race for Life to taking an item of clothing you don’t use into one of Cancer Research UK’s high street shops. But whatever the action, you’ll be encouraged to share it across social media, inspire others to do something in support of the charity and raise awareness of the importance of research in beating cancer.
Natasha Hill, Brand Director at Cancer Research UK, said: “We’re really excited to be the world’s first charity to create a ‘DO’ button. And although #ActNowForResearch is designed to be fun by creating actions that might be a bit out of the ordinary, it has a serious message at its heart – that collectively we can all take action that will help Cancer Research UK beat cancer sooner.”
The launch of the ‘DO’ button follows the recent publication of figures by Cancer Research UK showing that the number of people being diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year has hit more than 330,000 for the first time*.
While more people than ever are being diagnosed with cancer, research has led to more people surviving the disease, with survival doubling in the last 40 years.
Follow #ActNowForResearch on Cancer Research UK’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages for more information.
Note: The number of people being diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year has hit more than 330,000 for the first time, according to the latest figures* published by Cancer Research. While more people than ever are being diagnosed with cancer, research has led to more people surviving the disease. Survival has doubled in the last 40 years thanks to improvements in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
* The figures show 331,487 people were diagnosed with cancer in the UK in 2011, rising from 329,547 in 2010.
·Read the latest UK cancer statistics here: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/cancerstats/