World Cancer Day 2017 Quotes: 10 Inspiring Sayings About Fighting For A Cure And Not Giving Up

Saturday is World Cancer Day, an annual event aimed at raising awareness about the disease and inspiring people to work together to take action against it. This year, last year and next year are themed around the campaign "We can. I can," which hopes to involve everyone to help prevent cancer, shape policy, support patients and more.

"We wish it to be a springboard for positive change," Tezer Kutluk, president of the Union for International Cancer Control, said in a news release. "Take action for yourself, your organization or your community/country, as everyone can make a difference and inspire others."

Cancer kills more than 8 million people a year, and the number of new cases is on the rise, according to the World Health Organization. The most common cancers include breast, lung, prostate and colon. People who use tobacco, have unhealthy diets, breathe in air pollution or don't exercise can be especially susceptible to succumbing to the disease.

As of 2014, the number of people surviving their cancer diagnosis exceeded 14 million, according to cancer.gov. By 2026, the number of survivors could surpass 20 million.

Whether you or someone you love has cancer, Saturday is a good opportunity to read some kind and inspirational words about personal strength and perseverance. Here are 10 quotes, collected from Michigan Medicine, BeSeenGetScreened and Goodreads:

"Cancer is a word, not a sentence." — John Diamond

"Cancer didn't bring me to my knees, it brought me to my feet." — Michael Douglas

"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." — Cayla Mills

"We have two options, medically and emotionally: Give up or fight like hell." — Lance Armstrong

"Optimism is the foundation of courage." — Nicholas Murray Butler

"If I could be anything, I would have wanted to be the president that ended cancer, because it’s possible." — Joe Biden

"The only way to make sense of change is to plunge into it, flow with it ... and join the dance." — Alan Watts

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." — Franklin D. Roosevelt

"I am not this hair, I am not this skin, I am the soul that lives within." — Jalal ad-Din Rumi

"Whether you think you can or you can't, you're probably right." — Henry Ford