News
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Hires Advocacy Veteran
Experienced Campaign Organizer Also Joins Staff
Albany, NY (January 25, 2013) - The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) of NY & NJ today announced the addition of Michael Burgess and Theresa Tolokonsky to its New York State advocacy team.
"Michael and Theresa are great additions to our staff," said Blair Horner, Vice President for Advocacy, ACS CAN of NY & NJ. "Their knowledge of the legislature, political instincts and experience mobilizing volunteers will make a real difference in advocating for cancer issues."
Michael Burgess is a former Director of the New York State Office for the Aging, Executive Director of the New York Alliance for Retired Americans as well as Executive Director of the New York Statewide Senior Action Council. He has more than 37 years of experience advocating for seniors, patients and Medicare beneficiaries and he played a leading role enacting the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program. Michael will serve as NYS Director of Advocacy where he will lobby lawmakers at the state capitol on a variety of legislative priorities.
Theresa Tolokonksy comes from the NYS Assembly where she served as a legislative coordinator. Previously, she worked at the Vermont Public Interest Research Group where she managed a campaign to require the manufacture of fire-safe cigarettes, the 2nd such law in the country. She also worked on tobacco and public health issues during her time at the New York Public Interest Research Group. Theresa will serve as NYS Legislative Campaign Director where she will organize support for cancer-fighting initiative and work with cancer survivors and their families.
For more information on the 2013 ACS CAN New York State advocacy agenda, log onto www.fightcancer.org/ny.
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About the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.