Publicis today announced the launch of a new global “Working With Cancer” campaign that’s backed by $100 million in media donated media companies across the industry.  

The campaign urges companies worldwide to commit to supporting cancer patients in their organizations.  

The Working With Cancer Initiative was launched three years ago after Publicis Chairman and CEO Arthur Sadoun's own cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2022. 

The latest campaign follows a research review done in collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center which underscores evidence that many employed cancer survivors report better quality of life compared to unemployed survivors.  The research found that employed survivors tend to function better physically and are less prone to depression.  

Working with Cancer has also unveiled a new AI Coach that is designed to help employers better tailor support to individual employed survivors. The large language model-based system draws from curated, vetted resources to deliver responses that avoid potential privacy violations and other risks associated with open internet health queries.  

The anchor film of the new campaign was created by Publicis Conseil and features survivors from all walks of life sharing how working helped them maintain normalcy during treatment. Participants include Sadoun and other survivors, from companies like Walmart, L’Oreal, Pfizer, Barclays and others. It was directed by award-winning filmmaker Kailee McGee, a stage IV cancer survivor.  

“The most important thing to do when you get sick is listen to yourself,” Sadoun says in the film. “Some will consider that they need to stay home and others like me would consider that going to the office and being supported can make a big difference. It’s a very lonely experience, anyway.”  

The campaign includes a Times Square NYC out-of-home takeover today (Feb. 4) in recognition of World Cancer Day.   

To date, more than 5,000 companies covering 40 million-plus employees have signed the Working With Cancer pledge to support workers battling the disease.   

Media donors to the new campaign include Disney, Google, Zeta Global, TikTok, NBCUniversal, Paramount, iHeartMedia, Westwood One, Clear Channel Outdoor, Captivate, Screenvision and NCM.