Hawaii State Lead Ambassador

Uri Martos

Uri Martos has been involved with ACS CAN since 2014 and serves as Advocacy Chair for the ACS Hawaii Pacific Board of Directors. Uri lives in Lihue on Kaua’i Island and is a philanthropy officer with a local non-profit foundation. Her involvement began with ACS’ Relay for Life and she has continued to actively participate at various events for over eight years.

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

There is power in numbers. I believe that if we raise our voices in unity to express how important it is to fight cancer, our lawmakers will listen.  In 2018, our team worked hard to pass legislation to ban tobacco and e-cigarette use on all of our University of Hawaii Campuses. The most amazing thing was that the students lead this movement!

Why is being an ACS CAN volunteer important to you?

It is important because I lost an uncle to Leukemia and because of cancer, four of my cousins are without a father. I want to live in a world where this does not happen anymore.

Why are you a cancer advocate?

As a cancer survivor, I want my voice to be heard and I want to speak for other cancer survivors who are unable to.

What is your favorite memory from your time as an ACS CAN volunteer?

Definitely the most memorable moment so far has been the first time I stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and looked out at all of our Lights of Hopes bags and thought about the many, many lives cancer has touched. I was overcome with many emotions. I was sad to think of the lives lost, but proud to be in DC fighting for our lost loved ones and survivors.

Want to join me in the fight against cancer? Fill out this form to sign up to be an ACS CAN volunteer in Hawaii.