George and Brooke Blough Accept Top Volunteer Award for Excellence in Cancer Advocacy Work

Hedgesville, W. VA. – George and Brooke Blough were awarded the Volunteer Award for Excellence in Advocacy by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in recognition of their efforts to help make cancer a national priority.

Each year, a lead volunteer who has consistently demonstrated strong leadership while advocating in areas of cancer-related public policy receives this award. This year, both George and Brooke have been recognized with the Volunteer Award for Excellence in Advocacy.

“George and Brooke have demonstrated an unrelenting commitment to reducing the death and suffering caused by cancer,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “It’s because of their dedication to the fight against cancer that we’ve made great strides toward implementing meaningful legislation to save more lives from this disease in West Virginia and nationwide.”

George and Brooke have been committed volunteer leaders for ACS CAN, the largest national cancer advocacy organization, for the past 13 years. George previously served as State Lead Ambassador (SLA) and received the SLA of the Year Award in 2010, and Brooke is a former Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT) Lead and was recognized as ACT Lead of the Year in 2014. George is a 29-year survivor of stage 4 ovarian cancer.

In 2018, the Bloughs were instrumental in getting palliative care legislation passed in West Virginia that established a State Advisory Coalition on Palliative Care to address barriers to access to and awareness of palliative care; George was then selected to serve on the coalition to provide a patient perspective.

“George and Brooke always shows great determination while advocating for meaningful legislation that helps eliminate the burden of cancer in our community,” said Ryann Moore, West Virginia grassroots manager for ACS CAN. “Their efforts to end suffering and death from this disease are greatly appreciated by all those touched by cancer, both here in West Virginia 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.

On behalf of all families touched by cancer, ACS CAN thanks George and Brooke for their advocacy efforts that helps eliminate the burden of cancer in West Virginia and across the country. 

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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.