In 2021, the first World CLL Day focused a campaign to raise awareness of the vulnerabilities and needs of the immunocompromised during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic phase. The focus was to acknowledge the importance of society and those with healthy immune systems protecting our community. This was carried out with the central theme showing our appreciation and offering our thanks to encourage wide campaign reach and uptake. The visual motif and central to all campaign imagery was the umbrella, symbolising this as an opportunity to provide information to aid the vulnerable to be shielded by others.
The 2022 campaign was focused to reflect the challenges the CLL community faced as COVID-19 restrictions were lifted across the globe. This was aided within campaign materials by releasing inspiring videos that shared patients’, carers’ and clinicians’ experience of the challenges a CLL diagnosis can bring and what it is like to live and navigate in this later phase of the pandemic. This was carried out with the central campaign theme encouraging everyone to get on board by raising awareness that those vulnerable to infection need to continue to take precautions and still require the consideration of those with a healthy immune system to aid safe navigation in this later phase of the pandemic. The visual motif and central to all campaign imagery remained the umbrella as a vehicle to enable all to get aboard and no one is left behind.
The 2023 campaign focused on the mental health challenges of those living with CLL. Due to a high degree of uncertainty given the challenging nature of the disease, mental health issues and the impact of living with a chronic condition such as CLL are very real. The campaign shone a spotlight on the challenges that CLL patients encounter during the full pathway of their disease – these are particularly high during Active Monitoring (“Watch & Wait”). Living with the immune challenges of CLL can also add emotional and psychological distress, which remained a continued trigger during the beginning of the endemic phase of COVID-19 pandemic. The visual motif and central to all campaign imagery used versions of the umbrella and other symbolism to emphasise support and information needs so as no one has to stand alone.
Campaign materials are designed and created in different languages with a communication plan to help stakeholders, members and supporters to get involved and prepare their own communications in the run-up to World CLL Day and shape their own activities.
WORLD CLL DAY 2024
This year’s theme is “Level Up” – our pitch to ensure those with CLL get the same attention care and the same opportunities for treatment as those with other types of cancer. But ‘leveling up’ may mean something different for you and your organisation. Perhaps you are concerned with an inequity locally, specific to your region. You can choose from the assets provided to shape your own campaign. Different organisations in different countries may see a need to ‘level up’ in different ways. We encourage all stakeholders to get onboard and make this about their greatest need.
The full campaign toolkit is underway and will be available on www.wclld.org soon, aiming to make your participation seamless and smooth.
Please spread the word and let other stakeholders and your clinical community know about World CLL Day and ask them for their active participation by building WCLLD into their communication plans!
Let’s come together and raise awareness of the issues affecting our patient community. Let’s seek out equity and equality for those who need it. Let’s Level UP!!!!