Union City Student Accepts National Volunteer Award for Excellence in Cancer Advocacy Work

Union City, CA – Aditya Indla was awarded the Emerging Leader Award by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in recognition of his efforts to help make cancer a national priority.

This annual award is presented to a lead ACS CAN volunteer who has demonstrated exemplary leadership while advocating for ACS CAN’s priority areas of cancer-related public policy.

“Aditya has certainly paved his own way toward becoming a champion for the cancer community and our critical tobacco control efforts,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “His passion for advancing policies that protect his peers and future generations from the dangers of tobacco use is evident in his repeated advocacy and skilled contributions to ACS CAN campaigns. It is young leaders like Aditya that bring such hope to our cancer mission.”

Aditya has volunteered with ACS CAN since 2020, and recently received the Excellence in Local Advocacy Award from the ACS CAN California team.

“Aditya speaks with passion and courage to promote policies that positively impact the health of others. He has fielded questions from community leaders under high pressure situations and engaged in high profile public testimony,” said Mary Kemp, ACS CAN Northern California grassroots manager. “Without a doubt, Aditya is deserving of this award for his dedication to healthier communities through policy change, advocacy and community activism,” she added.

The award was presented on Sept. 26 as part of the annual ACS CAN Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Nearly 700 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones met virtually with their elected officials on Sept. 28 to urge them to make cancer a national priority.

On behalf of all families touched by cancer, ACS CAN thanks Aditya for his incredible advocacy efforts that helps eliminate the burden of cancer in California and across the country.