The 25th of the 5th month is here and the European Week against Cancer Week is also here.
This is a very special event, taking place between the 25th and the 31st of May: the objective is to raise awareness when it comes to this disease, as well as when it comes to the policies related to tackling it on a societal level.
Among others, I suggest you focus on the European strategy when it comes to prevention: "Europe's Beating Cancer Plan" is a key project in this sense.
When it comes to diseases like cancer, however, prevention is not the only factor, as the project indicates. Improving the quality of life of the people affected by the disease is probably as important as prevention, if not more.
Often, people with illnesses face societal pressure to hide their condition, and feel shame and stigma surrounding their difficulties. Similarly, their family members and loved ones also struggle to find flexible working arrangements to take care of them - when needed - as they are often faced with a lack of empathy in the current society.
Statue of Isabella d'Este, Kimbell Art Museum
This is why, I decided to include in this post a woman that to me embodies humanism: Isabella d'Este. She was called by poet Ludovico Ariosto "the first woman of the world" during the Italian Renaissance for her grace, diplomacy and kindness in wielding her power.
She was a lover of art and beauty, but she was also strong enough to lead her country when her husband was sick. Isabella, born on May 19th 1474, is the incarnation of female power and humanism.
Her rule taught us that humanism starts when we put humankind at the center of our action - rather than some qualities that define our identity such as if we are men, women or have some type of health condition.
This is why I think this woman can give hope to people who are fighting a battle with their health, as well as with societal stigma: her reign showed that we are defined by our actions, not by our qualities.
Love,
Elena
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