Press Room

Jefferson City, MO – January 15, 2020 – Eleven thousand Missourians will die this year from smoking-related diseases. And while Missouri has one of the highest adult smoking rates in the nation, Governor Mike Parson revealed that the state budget allocates virtually no additional funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network will host We CAN Make an Impact on Wednesday, Aug. 21. The community forum will feature leaders in business, research and patient advocacy discussing the unique challenges of accessing cancer clinical trials in Kansas and Missouri.

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe recently recognized Springfield resident Jerry Neville for his volunteer work with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Neville received the Senior Service Award at a ceremony at the State Capitol in Jefferson City on Monday, May 6.

Today, the Missouri House General Laws Committee approved a bill to prohibit young people under age 18 from using indoor tanning devices. Emily Kalmer, Missouri government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, released the following statement in response:

Nearly 100 cancer survivors, caregivers and their families from across the state gathered in Jefferson City today to urge lawmakers to protect young people from skin cancer and increase funding for cancer prevention programs.

Nearly 100 cancer survivors, caregivers and their families from across the state will gather in Jefferson City next week to urge lawmakers to protect young people from skin cancer and prioritize funding for cancer prevention programs.

St. Louis native and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer Melissa Horn will travel to the U.S. Capitol today to talk about her cancer experience and to urge lawmakers to ensure childhood cancer research remains a national priority.

Missouri falls short when it comes to implementing policies and passing legislation to prevent and reduce suffering and death from cancer. According to the latest edition of “How Do You Measure Up?: A Progress Report on State Legislative Activity to Reduce Cancer Incidence and Mortality,” Missouri measured up to policy recommendations in just two of the nine issue areas. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network released the report today.