Throughout the year, ACS CAN and its volunteers work to impact the cancer burden by making sure lawmakers are aware of the issues that matter to them at all levels of government. September marks one of the most powerful and exciting times of the year as we gather hundreds of our advocates in the nation’s capital as part of our annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day.
Advancements in cancer research are saving more lives than ever. That’s why increasing federal funding for cancer research is one of our top priorities. Without consistent increases in federal research funding, new treatments and tests may not reach cancer patients who need them the most, like Erin Burns from Minnesota.
Cancer advocates in Illinois recently celebrated a huge win for patients and survivors. After a three-year state budget stalemate, lawmakers finally passed a budget that included full funding for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program.
Over the last four years, ACS and ACS CAN have worked with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. (DST) to address cancer disparities among African American women. While most of this work has been regionally-focused in the past, we have expanded this partnership with DST into a national one.
How does your state measure up in the fight against cancer? According to ACS CAN’S annual How Do You Measure Up? report – now in its 15th year – a majority of states are missing critical opportunities to pass and implement laws proven to prevent and save lives from cancer.