Statement on the Death of Dr. Hazel Dukes

A statement from Michael Davoli, senior government relations director in New York for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, on the passing of Dr. Hazel Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State Conference.

“The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network offers its sincerest condolences to the NAACP New York State Conference family over the passing of President Dr. Hazel N. Dukes. Dr. Dukes was a champion in the fight to reduce health disparities and achieve health equity. She was fiercely committed to the fight against cancer and never hesitated to help advance policies to reduce the impact of cancer on New Yorkers, particularly among Black communities, which face a higher cancer burden and barriers to cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survival.

“Dr. Dukes not only worked to mobilize NAACP members from branches across New York State to help improve New Yorkers’ access to early detection and lifesaving care, but she was instrumental in enacting legislation expanding access to colorectal cancer screening and biomarker testing. She was an outspoken critic of the tobacco industry and was never afraid to stand up for the health of all New Yorkers.

“We were honored to stand with her in the fight against cancer. The Dukes family and NAACP community are in our thoughts today. We encourage all New Yorkers to honor Dr. Dukes by continuing the push to create a New York where everyone has the opportunity to be healthy and thrive.”

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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.  As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state, and local levels. By engaging advocates across the country to make their voices heard, ACS CAN influences legislative and regulatory solutions that will end cancer as we know it.