The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) presented Waianae community member Mckayla McCullah with the Young Leader award this week in recognition of her passionate advocacy and commitment to furthering the fight against cancer.
This award is presented to a state volunteer who has demonstrated an exciting promise in their start with ACS CAN by taking advantage of new opportunities to advocate for cancer patients.
McCullah currently serves as a lead volunteer for ACS CAN Hawaii and has been with the organization since early 2023. She has participated in and helped organize Cancer Action Day which involves volunteers meeting with state lawmakers to help further a specific campaign. Additionally, McCullah has organized college outreach efforts, community events, and hosted a cancer and coffee talk in her community to help raise awareness about the disease. During the 2025 legislative session, McCullah will work with other volunteers from Hawaii to urge state lawmakers to increase access to biomarker testing for residents.
McCullah first discovered her connection to cancer after speaking with her mom about her volunteer work with ACS CAN. She found out almost all her great-grandparents passed away from the disease. Since this discovery, McCullah has made fighting cancer and being a voice for the Native Hawaiian community her passion.
“McKayla is a tireless force and a passionate advocate in the fight against cancer,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “In her tenure advocating with ACS CAN she has already made remarkable strides in reducing the burden of cancer throughout Hawaii and across the nation. We are immensely thankful for McKayla’s leadership and dedication to supporting public policies that help cancer patients and their loved ones.”
The award was presented on Sept. 15 as part of the annual ACS CAN Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Nearly 750 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones met with their elected officials to urge them to support policies that increase funding for cancer research and urge lawmakers to pass the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act.