Florida Vice State Lead Ambassador

Jen Vargas

My name is Jen Vargas, and it is my honor to serve as the Vice State Lead Ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). I have been a dedicated volunteer with the American Cancer Society since 2005, advocating for patients, caregivers, and communities in need.

Cancer has profoundly impacted my life—I have lost half of my family to this disease. My aunt, who dedicated her career to pediatric oncology, battled leukemia. My uncle, a proud Orange County Deputy Sheriff, fought lung cancer. My mother, a hardworking payroll administrator, faced both uterine and breast cancer. Now, my father, a Mexican American musician who once played in a mariachi band, is in the midst of his own fight against colon cancer.

In 2010, I became a full-time, live-in caregiver for my mother, Pam. That experience gave me firsthand insight into the challenges caregivers face and the urgent need for better access to resources, support, and care. My advocacy is deeply personal—I fight to ensure that women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and low-income communities receive the healthcare they deserve.

I give my time to ACS CAN because I know that research funding, policy changes, and healthcare access can save lives. No one should have to navigate this journey alone.

The fight against cancer takes all of us. Ever forward, we are stronger together.

Why is being an ACS CAN volunteer important to you?

What is your proudest accomplishment as an ACS CAN volunteer?

Why should others in your community get involved with ACS CAN?