Philip R. O’Brien Named American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Cancer Votes National Ambassador
Milwaukee attorney Philip R. O’Brien has accepted the role of Cancer Votes National Ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society (ACS). This role is an expansion of O’Brien’s current commitment to ACS CAN as a member of its national Board of Directors since 2019. Cancer Votes is ACS CAN’s nonpartisan electoral program, a public education avenue through which cancer issues are elevated as a key priority during election cycles. As National Ambassador, Phil O’Brien will serve as a brand leader, seeking to draw high levels of engagement from volunteers, the media and the advocacy and business communities.
ACS CAN engages volunteers across the country to educate elected officials and the public on cancer-fighting policies, shaping the outcome of local, state, and federal legislation that saves lives through support for cancer research, prevention, and treatments.
“With his unwavering commitment to our mission and remarkable track record as a champion for cancer policies, we're exceptionally lucky to have Phil in this role,” said ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse. "2024 marks a crucial election cycle for the Cancer Votes program. Along with the presidential election, hundreds of other important races at the federal level, the entire House of Representatives and thousands of state and local election levels are happening. These elections are critical to reducing the cancer burden. Phil's expertise, passion, and steadfast dedication to influencing public policy will help bolster our impact, which in turn will benefit millions of cancer patients, survivors, and their families."
O’Brien is a long-time American Cancer Society (ACS) volunteer as well, and first became involved with ACS through Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign in 2005. An original flagship sponsor since 1995, Reinhart and its employees have raised more than $500,000 for Making Strides in the past two decades. O’Brien has served as chair of Reinhart’s Making Strides team since 2010. O’Brien also previously served as Chair to the ACS Wisconsin State Leadership Board and as the ACS CAN Ambassador Constituent Lead (ACT! Lead) for the 4th Congressional District of Wisconsin.
“I’m honored to accept the role of Cancer Votes National Ambassador, and I look forward to continuing my commitment to ACS CAN’s all-important mission of reducing the cancer burden for everyone.” said O’Brien. “Cancer must be a national priority. The time is now to work to stand firm on holding candidates accountable on issues critically important to patients and their families.”
O’Brien is an attorney and shareholder with Reinhart, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He provides legal counsel to self-funded health and pension funds across the United Statesand is a frequent speaker and author on the subject of employee benefits. Reinhart is a nationally ranked law firm with nine offices and over 200 attorneys.
About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital.