Elland Road has been lit up in the colours of Yorkshire Cancer Research to help celebrate and mark World Cancer Day.

As the official charity partner of Leeds United for the 2020/21 season, Yorkshire Cancer Research is working with the club to raise awareness of cancer risk factors, symptoms and screening, and to celebrate the vital research that is taking place across the region.

The global theme for this year’s World Cancer Day campaign is ‘Together, all our actions matter’, and supporters of Leeds United are being encouraged to unite and take action to help improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment cancer in Yorkshire.

As well as lighting up the stadium, Leeds United first-team players also wore Yorkshire Cancer Research t-shirts during their warm up for their fixture against Everton on Wednesday 3rd February.

World Cancer Day is a global initiative that aims to help more people survive cancer through education, awareness and inspiring action. Its goal is to prevent cancer, improve early diagnosis and ensure everyone has equal access to life-saving cancer treatment and care.

From making a donation, writing a blog, organising an event or simply talking to family and friends, people across the world are being urged to get involved in any way they can.

Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research said: “Sadly, the coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on the diagnosis and treatment of people with cancer. Now, more than ever, it’s important that we ensure cancer research remains in the hearts and minds of people in Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region.

“World Cancer Day is all about the power we have collectively to help reduce the impact of cancer globally and in our own communities. Through small, positive actions, we can unite to create a future without cancer.”

Yorkshire Cancer Research funds experts and world-leading researchers who pioneer early cancer diagnosis and discover new and better treatments for people with cancer. The charity’s goal is to save an additional 2,000 lives in Yorkshire every year.

One of the charity’s largest programmes is the Leeds Lung Health Check, a multimillion-pound clinical trial which is helping people in Leeds benefit from life-saving scans designed to find lung cancer at the earliest possible stage.

The charity also funds Cancer Wise Leeds, which aims to improve early diagnosis by increasing screening participation in the city in partnership with Leeds City Council as part of the Leeds Cancer Programme. When cancer is found at an early stage, it can usually be treated more successfully.

Paul Bell, Executive Director at Leeds United Football Club, said: “We are delighted to be joining our official charity partner Yorkshire Cancer Research in marking World Cancer Day by lighting Elland Road up and helping to raise awareness around the fantastic work being done to help people survive cancer.

“Our players proudly wore t-shirts in honour of the occasion ahead of our Premier League match against Everton last night and there will be a host of content across our website and social channels to help promote the important messages attached to World Cancer Day.”

For more information about World Cancer Day and how to get involved, please visit www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/lufc.