Arsenal joins campaign to help eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 | OneFootball

Arsenal have joined a campaign by MSD UK to help eliminate cervical cancer by 2040, and will promote the initiative during this weekend’s north London Derby.

‘Defend Your Tomorrow’, launched by MSD UK in collaboration with The Eve Appeal, aims to support the NHS’s goal of eliminating the disease by 2040.

Arsenal Women will use the platform of the north London Derby this weekend to promote the campaign, with a series of matchday messages and activities taking place to encourage supporters to visit their GP or visit DefendYourTomorrow.co.uk for further information.

Arsenal will also deliver education sessions around the disease and its prevention across north London over the next 12 months, supporting NHS England in engaging communities who face the greatest health inequalities, who are the least served and who need the most support.

Almost all cervical cancer cases could be prevented through a combination of vaccination againsthuman papillomavirus (HPV), cervical screening, and early treatment of detected cell changes. In November 2023, NHS England made a commitment to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040, aligningwith the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global strategy to work towards the elimination ofcervical cancer.

Arsenal Women’s vice captain Leah Williamson, who features in the campaign alongside teammates Beth Mead and Katie McCabe spoke about using the upcoming north London Derby to help promote the initiative:

“This week is about what it means to represent Arsenal and the badge we play for,” Williamson said. “The North London Derby is always special to us and our community. We want to see our home packed out to create that special energy and buzz that only this game can.

“But it’s also our time to come together to protect what is special to us – our health, our friends, our families, and our extended north London community – against cervical cancer. We know that almost all cases may be preventable, and we need to come together to protect our futures.

“We’re asking all our supporters to visit their GP or DefendYourTomorrow.co.uk for further advice about cervical cancer.”