Olivet, Mich. – September 24, 2018 – CJ Heisler was awarded ACT! Lead of the Year by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) for her exceptional commitment to advocacy work to help make 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.
“CJ continues to make an impact in Michigan by advocating every day for those affected by cancer,” said Chris Hansen, president of ACS CAN. “We are grateful for his leadership in organizing and mobilizing local volunteers to support lifesaving legislation that helps in the fight against cancer.”
CJ leads the Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT!) in Congressional District 7 for ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. As the ACT! Lead, CJ serves as the primary volunteer contact with District 7 lawmakers, and recruits and manages other local volunteers to lead advocacy and fundraising efforts.
CJ was honored for his commitment to the organization, which goes beyond the duties typically expected of volunteers. He volunteers most weekends, presenting information about ACS CAN policy priorities at American Cancer Society events. He was initially inspired to volunteer by his grandfather, who became a regular tobacco user in his youth and eventually died of lung cancer. He shares his story to give a human face to ACS CAN’s efforts to reduce tobacco use among youth.
“CJ shows great determination while advocating for meaningful legislation that helps eliminate the burden of cancer in our community,” said Matt Phelan, ACS CAN grassroots manager. “His efforts to end suffering and death from this disease are greatly appreciated by all those touched by cancer, both here in Michigan and across the country.”
The award was presented on September 23 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.
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.acscan.org.
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