For over 9,000 years we have been fighting against tuberculosis (TB). With great efforts, we’ve made progress as it’s now preventable and curable. However, more than 4,000 people die every day from this disease, devastating communities around the world. It’s time we end this epidemic – once and for all. Every year, the international community puts the spotlight on TB by highlighting World TB Day on March 24. It is a globally recognized occasion for people around the world to stand in solidarity with the millions of people who suffer from TB, and the millions who have lost their lives.
World Tuberculosis Day is on March 24 but some of the planning has already started, including the campaign to light up city monuments in red. Last year various monuments around the world were lit up in red, including in Toronto, Victoria, Montreal and Calgary (click here to see the 2019 list). We would like to repeat this and go beyond this year, and the process starts now! If you would like to support this campaign and take action we have the resources you need to get started. Check out this guide to making a request to light up a monument in red and use this draft letter when contacting local representatives.
Join us! On March 24, find the nearest landmark or building lit up in red, take a photo and share it on social media by tagging your Member of Parliament (MP). Use the hashtags: #ItsTimeToEndTB, #WorldTBDay2020, #LightUpForTB and #voices4Results.
The Calgary Tower, the Montreal Tower and Niagara Falls will be lit up in red thanks to the efforts of Results volunteers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of Mississauga has postponed lighting up the Civic Centre Clock Tower.The CN Tower and the Toronto sign will be lit up in red thanks to the efforts of partners at Toronto Public Health, Stop TB Canada as well as Results Canada volunteers. Vancouver's City Hall and Science World will also be lit up thanks to partners at BCCDC and the BC Lung Association for World TB Day on March 24.
Thank you to everyone who took action in support of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day! Although plans changed due to COVID-19, we came together as a global community and stood strong in solidarity with TB patients and survivors who we know are particularly vulnerable during this outbreak.
