West Covina Cancer Advocate Receives National Volunteer Award for Commitment to Cancer Advocacy

Washington, D.C. – Grace Pugh was awarded the Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT!) Lead of the Year by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) for her exceptional commitment to advocacy work and making cancer a national priority.

This annual award is given to a lead congressional district volunteer who has demonstrated remarkable leadership advocating for ACS CAN’s mission priority areas of cancer-related public policy.

“Grace continues to be a tireless voice speaking out for those facing cancer in California and across the country,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “We are grateful for her outstanding efforts to organize and mobilize local volunteers to champion strong and effective public policy proven to end suffering and death from cancer.”

Grace leads the Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT!) in Congressional District 32 for ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. As the ACT! Lead, she serves as the primary volunteer contact with District 32 lawmakers, and recruits and manages other local volunteers to lead advocacy and fundraising efforts.

Grace is also a member of the American Cancer Society San Gabriel Valley Leadership Council. She’s served as an ACS CAN volunteer for 17 years.

“Grace always shows great determination while advocating for meaningful legislation that helps eliminate the burden of cancer in our community,” said Spencer Lyons, ACS CAN California grassroots manager. “Her efforts to end suffering and death from this disease are greatly appreciated by all those touched by cancer, both here in California and across the country.”

The award was presented on Sept. 8 in Washington, D.C., as part of the annual ACS CAN Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Nearly 700 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones traveled to the nation’s capital to meet with their elected officials and urge them to make cancer a national priority.

About ACS CAN

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.