Relay For Life of Northern Rhode Island Honored for Cancer Advocacy Work

PROVIDENCE –– Recently, the Relay For Life of Northern Rhode Island was honored for their work supporting cancer fighting public policy. They were recognized at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) annual Rhode Island Day at the State House, which brought together lawmakers and people touched by cancer to call on the Rhode Island General Assembly to make fighting the disease a legislative priority. 

“If we are going to defeat cancer, we must fight back from every angle, including by passing laws that help cancer patients and survivors. ACS CAN is the voice of the survivors, caregivers, patients at every level of government. We are grateful to play a role in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, a team fundraiser event that began back in the 1980’s and raises money to fund ACS research grants and programs,” said Cori Chandler, grassroots manager for ACS CAN in Rhode Island.

“At Relay For Life events, communities across the globe come together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has already taken too much. Relay events that recruit more than 40 ACS CAN members earn a special title in our world: ACS CAN Club. We are excited to recognize the Relay For Life of Northern Rhode Island as their event has not only attained this status, but exceeded it, for the second year in a row.” 

The award was presented to team members in front of lawmakers and over 100 volunteers at the Rhode Island State House. 

Relay For Life is a community-based fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. Each year, more than 5,000 Relay For Life events take place in over twenty countries. Events are held in local communities, campus universities and in virtual worlds. This year’s Relay For Life of Northern Rhode Island will take place on June 15, 2019 starting at 2pm. It will be located at the William J. Hawkins Trail in Smithfield. Anyone interested in participating in this year’s event can contact Karen Healey at [email protected].

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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.