Who is OGCancerNI and what do they do?
It is now estimated that one in two people will develop cancer at some point in their lives. Raising awareness of the signs and symptoms has become increasingly crucial for early detection. The earlier cancer is detected, the better chances of successful treatment and survival. In fact, figures from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry now show that early detection and improved treatments are helping people live longer, and survive the illness.
However, some cancers, like oesophageal and stomach cancer, are harder to detect at an early stage. In fact, oesophageal cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms at its earliest stage, with only 1 in 10 cases in Northern Ireland diagnosed early. Similarly, stomach cancer (or gastric cancer) is less common and is typically detected at a later stage, as symptoms often resemble less serious conditions like persistent indigestion or heartburn.
OGCancerNI was set up in 2018 to specifically support patients and families affected by oesophago-gastric cancer (a collective term for cancers of the oesophagus and stomach). The charity focuses on supporting those impacted, raising awareness of early signs and symptoms to promote early intervention, and working with healthcare providers to advocate for the best patient outcomes.
Big+Bold x OGCancerNI – Our Partnership
Some of our own team at Big+Bold have personal connections to OGCancerNI and its work, so we are delighted to be able to partner with them and are humbled by the level of work they undertake at ground level.
OGCancerNI are making a huge difference to our local communities and the audiences they serve. However, despite their impact, significant challenges remain, particularly in raising awareness and understanding about oesophago-gastric cancer and its symptoms. Public awareness campaigns, like their overarching #CatchItEarly Campaign, are vital. Our team at Big+Bold aims to support them by amplifying these efforts, where we can.
Creative agencies have the power to shape cultural narratives and consumer behaviour. By partnering with smaller nonprofits like OGCancerNI, we hope to encourage larger agencies to champion underfunded causes and help drive a movement towards more responsible, socially conscious advertising practices.
None of us live in isolation. Our lives are interconnected, and by partnering with charitable organisations, we can help amplify the voices of those striving to create positive change on a daily basis. OGCancerNI is already making a significant impact, and we hope that by leveraging our creative skills, we can help increase awareness and encourage more people, to increase their knowledge of oesophago-gastric cancer, the symptoms, and engage with screening services.
Conclusion
In the fast-paced world of agencies, it’s easy to focus on targets and deadlines and overlook the broader societal impact we can have as an industry. However, the value in engaging with charitable work is immense. Our partnership with OGCancerNI not only produces meaningful work but also fosters a culture of empathy and personal growth within our own team.
At Big+Bold, we are passionate about the work OGCancerNI does. They provide a vital service, creating pioneering initiatives with limited resources. For more information on oesophago-gastric cancer, or to get involved with OGCancerNI, whether by volunteering or donating, you can find out more information here.