Secretary-General Ulrika Årehed Kågström

What are your main objectives as a leader in the global fight against cancer?

The pandemic has widened and highlighted the inequities between and within countries. We know that early detection is crucial in curing cancer, but screening programs is far from a reality in all countries and where they are implemented, people with lower income are less likely to participate.

I see the need to inspire donors and decision-makers to facilitate the leap in the fight against cancer that is within our reach. With the technology and knowledge of today, the vision of defeating cancer does not have to be merely a dream.

With the technology and knowledge of today, the vision of defeating cancer does not have to be merely a dream. 

It should be a serious world-wide commitment. I see the need for the UICC to lead the fight against the inequities that characterizes cancer care, healthy habits, cancer prevention, as well as access to early detection, treatment and rehabilitation.

What are your reflections on the impressive growth in revenue during your time as Secretary General?

My background is in finance, crisis management and leading large and complex organizations in times of change. I’m known to be a team player who listens and greatly values transparency.

I believe that my expertise and experience strongly contributes to this rapid advancement. As Secretary-General of the Swedish Cancer Society, I have advanced our fundraising and advocacy efforts while at the same time managing the internal and external effects of covid-19.

I am proud to say that after two years of a pandemic that has hit the charity sector hard, the Swedish Cancer Society can report a record high result placing us as the number 1 fundraising organization in the country.

Thanks to these extraordinary results we have been able to increase our funding to research, increase our advocacy work and not least scale up our HelpLine for cancer patients and next of kin. 

You are currently Treasurer of the UICC and you have recently worked with the ATOM-initiative and the UICC Solidarity Fund for Ukraine. Why are these new economic incentives important for you?

I believe in the importance of fair, sustainable and stable access to health care. At its core, this has everything to do with funding. I am neither a physician nor a scientist. I am a hard-working public servant with a passion for creating the necessary conditions for the health care and research communities.

In addition, I am a strong advocate for UICC and the Global Cancer Community to dare to try new initiatives, such as the ATOM-coalition and the UICC Solidarity Fund for Ukraine.

The Solidarity Fund was a quick response to a plea from a number of UICC members to pool and distribute donations to support projects and programmes that help address the impact of the conflict on Ukrainian cancer patients and their families now and in the immediate future.

ATOM coalition on the other, hand is a long-term initiative to increase access to essential cancer medicines in low- and lower middle income countries. The ATOM coalition partners seek to build a sustainable access over time. 

I believe it is our job as leaders in the global fight against cancer to think of new innovative ways to create the changes we ourselves want to see.

I believe it is our job as leaders in the global fight against cancer to think of new innovative ways to create the changes we ourselves want to see. Our best chance to succeed in beating cancer, is bringing together the Global Cancer Community into forums and processes where we meet as equal stakeholders and members.