World Cholangiocarcinoma Day

World Cholangiocarcinoma Day is observed on the third Thursday of February. In 2026, it falls on February 19. This international awareness day focuses on a rare and aggressive form of cancer that originates in the bile ducts. Because this disease is often difficult to diagnose in its early stages, the day serves as a critical platform for educating the public and medical professionals about symptoms, risk factors, and the urgent need for specialized research.

History of World Cholangiocarcinoma Day

The inaugural World Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) Day was held in 2016. It was established through a collaborative effort led by the Alan Morement Memorial Fund (AMMF), the UK’s first and only charity dedicated specifically to this disease. Recognizing that bile duct cancer was poorly understood and increasing in incidence globally, AMMF partnered with several international organizations, including the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation in the United States and similar foundations in Thailand, to create a unified global voice for patients.

In its early years, the day was observed on a fixed date, but from 2023 onward, the Global Cholangiocarcinoma Alliance (GCCA) transitioned it to a floating rule to ensure it could be highlighted during the broader Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month each February. The movement has grown from a handful of regional groups into a worldwide alliance of patient organizations, healthcare providers, and researchers. This transition marked a shift toward a more coordinated international campaign aimed at standardizing care and accelerating the development of targeted therapies for all types of bile duct cancer. ¹

Why is World Cholangiocarcinoma Day important?

World Cholangiocarcinoma Day is essential because it addresses the significant “awareness gap” surrounding this lethal disease. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage because early symptoms—such as fatigue, abdominal pain, or weight loss—are non-specific and often mistaken for less serious conditions. By dedicating a day to global awareness, advocacy groups hope to improve early detection rates, which is currently the only way to make surgical intervention possible.

The day also promotes the importance of genomic testing and personalized medicine. Roughly 40% of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas contain specific genetic alterations that can be treated with targeted therapies, yet many patients do not receive the necessary tests to identify these options. World CCA Day empowers patients to advocate for their own care and encourages health systems to adopt updated diagnostic protocols. It also serves as a global fundraiser to support underfunded research into the causes of the disease, which remains largely unknown for the majority of patients.

• It highlights the second most common primary liver cancer in the world.
• The day encourages medical professionals to consider CCA earlier in the diagnostic process.
• It supports patients in seeking second opinions at specialized high-volume centers.
• Awareness efforts help destigmatize the disease and provide a community for survivors.
• The holiday drives international collaboration to share data and clinical trial results.

How to Observe World Cholangiocarcinoma Day

Observing this day often involves participating in the “Light It Green” campaign. Many supporters turn their porch lights green or work with local officials to illuminate bridges, stadiums, and city halls in green, which is the official color for bile duct cancer awareness. In some regions, like the UK, supporters may also use purple, the color associated with the AMMF charity. Sharing photos of these illuminated landmarks on social media with dedicated hashtags helps the movement gain visibility and sparks conversations about the disease.

Another practical way to observe the day is by participating in educational webinars or distributing information sheets in community centers. Many organizations provide downloadable “Faces of CCA” graphics that share real stories of patients and caregivers to humanize the statistics. You can also support the cause by donating to research foundations or by signing the global pledge to help “See CCA,” which commits to spreading accurate information about the disease. For those in the medical community, it is a day to review the latest treatment guidelines and share research findings with colleagues to improve patient outcomes.

• Wear green clothing or accessories to show support for patients and researchers.
• Request that a local landmark or building be lit green for the night.
• Share an infographic about bile duct cancer symptoms on your social media profiles.
• Sign the international pledge to support increased research and better diagnosis.
• Donate to a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for cholangiocarcinoma.

World Cholangiocarcinoma Day Dates Table

1. https://www.globalccaalliance.com/world-cca-day[↩]