Grateful to see the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations consider its draft FY25 appropriations bill that includes increases in funding for The National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute (NCI), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. "We appreciate the Committee’s bipartisan commitment to our nation’s critical investment in #CancerResearch. These increases will help bring us closer to our goal of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone." –Dr. Karen Knudsen MBA PhD, CEO of American Cancer Society and ACS CAN
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
Non-profit Organizations
Washington, Washington DC 5,366 followers
We advocate for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone.
About us
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers—people whose lives have been impacted by cancer—rallying to demand change. Together, we’re working to make cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state, and local levels. By engaging advocates across the country to make their voices heard, ACS CAN influences legislative and regulatory solutions that will end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Social Media Message and Comment Policy: https://www.fightcancer.org/acs-can-social-media-comment-and-message-policy
- Website
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https://www.fightcancer.org
External link for American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 201-500 employees
- Headquarters
- Washington, Washington DC
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2001
Locations
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555 11TH ST NW
Washington, Washington DC 20001, US
Employees at American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
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David W. Benson
Senior State & Local Campaigns Manager at AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CANCER ACTION NETWORK, INC
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Rebecca Oechsner
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Susan Harbin
Senior Director, Government Relations - Florida at American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.
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Natalie Kline
She/Her/Ella | Advocacy can change the world | Non-profit leader focused on community outreach
Updates
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This week in Washington, D.C., ACS CAN was proud to host a film screening and panel discussion of the short film, In Due Season. This documentary by award winning filmmaker Ashley O’Shay tells the story of Black Americans living in the #MedicaidCoverageGap and how their life and health are impacted without access to affordable health insurance. The event was led by ACS CAN Board Chair, Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, PhD and the panel was moderated by journalist Andrea Roane. Thank you to our panel that included film participants Neidre Fears; Dr. Karen Winkfield, MD, PhD – ED, Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance and ACS CAN Board of Directors; and Cliff Albright, co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter; as well as Ashley O’Shay and Dr. Patrice Harris MD, MA, co-founder and CEO of eMed Digital Healthcare and former president of the American Medical Association. We also want to thank film participants Brian Williams and Pamela Willams for attending the event. This groundbreaking film was made possible by Black voices and talent. It brings the reality of the health insurance coverage gap to life and highlights the deep-rooted racial bias at the heart of this issue. The time to act is now. Learn more about #MedicaidExpansion and how you can get involved with ACS CAN at https://lnkd.in/ejWYJvui Read more about the event here: https://lnkd.in/eN245aFY
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For our July Volunteer Spotlight, we’re highlighting Tracy Steuckrath, Ambassador Constituent Lead for ACS CAN California! Tracy has been a volunteer with ACS CAN since she was a staff partner with the American Cancer Society in the early 2000s. “My mother is a breast cancer survivor, so I had a family stake in the battle from the start. I would go to Relay For Life events to recruit ACS CAN members and teach other cancer fighters another way to use their voices.” “I love being a part of the ACS CAN California team because I have found a community whose goal is to end cancer as we know it.” Tracy feels the organization has made a commitment to the inclusion of all people because cancer doesn't discriminate. “The volunteer base includes survivors, caregivers, and the families of those touched by cancer, and as an activist, I know my voice is heard.” Tracy was recently selected to attend an ACS CAN training on using inclusion to form strong grassroots support among underrepresented groups. “We learned so much in two days. It was the best training I have ever attended, and I have been to many! Meeting and connecting with volunteers from other states is always fantastic as well.” “As someone living with bipolar disorder and working as a caregiver, it sometimes can be challenging to balance my symptoms while continuing to care for others,” she says. “Having a non-apparent disability makes it even more difficult, as I have to decide whether to explain what is happening to me when I have to isolate from people to protect my mental health.” Many cancer patients and survivors often experience disabilities due to the effects of the disease and its treatment. Tracy wants to raise awareness of this as well as the experience of disabled people, regardless of their cancer status. “I hope that during #DisabilityPrideMonth, people will lead with compassion and recognize those around them who live differently than they do. If we learned anything from the COVID-19 pandemic and from continuing to work toward a cancer-free future, it's that we cannot take our health for granted, ever. I hope it's also an opportunity to learn about becoming an ally for disabled folks in your community.”
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“If it wasn’t for investments in cancer research, I wouldn’t be here.” Danny Efron, an ACS CAN volunteer in Arizona, was facing a serious cancer diagnosis in 2022—he had stage 4 brain cancer. Cancer had already taken the lives of several family members, and Danny feared for the future. Luckily, a new treatment option was available that could pinpoint Danny’s radiation therapy to exactly where it was needed. This new medical breakthrough was possible thanks to federal funding for cancer research through The National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute (NCI). Join Danny and make your voice heard by signing the petition urging Congress to increase funding for lifesaving cancer research: https://lnkd.in/gNs_hD5e
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Don’t miss the virtual screening of In Due Season, a short film by award-winning director Ashley O’Shay. Hosted by ACS CAN, ACS CAN’s Black Volunteer Caucus and @Black Voters Matter, the film screening will include a panel discussion by Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, PhD, ACS CAN Board Chair,. Karen Winkfield, MD, PhD , ACS CAN Board member, and Fenika Miller, MBA, Black Voters Matter. In Due Season is about the injustice of the #MedicaidCoverageGap. It follows the stories of Black Americans living in non-expansion states and looks at how their health is affected by the lack of affordable access to health care. This powerful film highlights why the time for action is now. RSVP for the virtual film screening: https://lnkd.in/ezqCVDKe
Join us to watch a short film on the Medicaid coverage gap
act.fightcancer.org
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This past weekend, ACS CAN volunteers and staff representing five states came together in San Francisco, CA to attend the first Inclusive Volunteer Engagement Training. The training was held because our volunteers have expressed a desire to intentionally engage with diverse communities. This pilot cohort participated in activities, conversations, and active listening to learn about structural biases in health care and cancer care related to their advocacy efforts, deepen their inclusive community engagement skills, and engage around our shared vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Thank you to all those who joined us for making this a success!
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The #CancerMoonshot has continued to prioritize investments in cancer research and prevention, early detection, and affordable access to care to save more lives. We thank President Biden for this commitment and stand ready to continue this work with lawmakers.
Families affected by cancer are grateful to President Biden for a continued commitment to make reducing the cancer burden a national priority. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) remains committed to our shared priority to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. #CancerMoonshot
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Will you accept the challenge? Our annual 24 in 24 #LightsOfHope Challenge starts tonight at 12:01am ET! To complete the challenge, you need to collect donations for 24 Lights of Hope bags within the next 24 hours. Each bag is $10, and you can collect donations from as many people as it takes to raise $240. Lights of Hope are more than just a bag. Each light honors a loved one touched by cancer. Funds raised through Lights of Hope enable ACS CAN to continue to make fighting cancer a priority with lawmakers at local, state and federal levels. You can be a part of this important campaign by competing in this challenge or setting up your own Lights of Hope fundraising page! Visit https://lnkd.in/e9Ftm_cJ for more information on how to get involved.
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Imagine a cancer patient who, after undergoing several cancer treatments, is feeling frustrated and hopeless. However there is a chance—they've learned about a clinical trial that holds groundbreaking promise. But the clinical trial is far away and requires travel, overnight lodging, time away from work, childcare and even more related costs. Their hope is quickly crushed by disappointment. Cancer patients shouldn’t be denied the latest medical advancements that clinical trials bring because of financial and other barriers. All cancer patients, no matter where they live or how much money they make, should have these potentially lifesaving opportunities. Sign the petition now urging Congress to pass the #ClinicalTrialModernizationAct, which would help relieve these and other barriers and allow more people to participate in clinical trials: https://lnkd.in/eABYsiKU
Congress: Increase patient access to the latest advancements in cancer care
act.fightcancer.org
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We are thrilled to announce that ACS CAN, in collaboration with our Black Volunteer Caucus (BVC) and Black Voters Matter Fund, will be hosting the first nationwide, virtual screening of the short film In Due Season! A panel discussion will follow, featuring: ⭐ Storytellers from the film ⭐ Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, PhD , Chair, ACS CAN Board of Directors, ⭐ Dr. Karen Winkfield, MD, PhD , ACS CAN Board Member ⭐ Fenika Miller, MBA, Black Voters Matter This powerful film by award-winning director Ashley O’Shea highlights the racial inequities that exist in Medicaid non-expansion states. Join us on Wednesday, August 7 at 7:30pm ET / 4:30pm PT. Register: https://lnkd.in/ezqCVDKe
Join us to watch a short film on the Medicaid coverage gap
act.fightcancer.org