American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)

This past weekend, ACS CAN volunteers and staff representing five states came together in San Francisco, CA to attend the first Inclusive Volunteer Engagement Training. The training was held because our volunteers have expressed a desire to intentionally engage with diverse communities. This pilot cohort participated in activities, conversations, and active listening to learn about structural biases in health care and cancer care related to their advocacy efforts, deepen their inclusive community engagement skills, and engage around our shared vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Thank you to all those who joined us for making this a success!

The #CancerMoonshot has continued to prioritize investments in cancer research and prevention, early detection, and affordable access to care to save more lives. We thank President Biden for this commitment and stand ready to continue this work with lawmakers.

Will you accept the challenge? Our annual 24 in 24 #LightsOfHope Challenge starts tonight at 12:01am ET! To complete the challenge, you need to collect donations for 24 Lights of Hope bags within the next 24 hours. Each bag is $10, and you can collect donations from as many people as it takes to raise $240. Lights of Hope are more than just a bag. Each light honors a loved one touched by cancer. Funds raised through Lights of Hope enable ACS CAN to continue to make fighting cancer a priority with lawmakers at local, state and federal levels. You can be a part of this important campaign by competing in this challenge or setting up your own Lights of Hope fundraising page! Visit https://lnkd.in/e9Ftm_cJ for more information on how to get involved.

Imagine a cancer patient who, after undergoing several cancer treatments, is feeling frustrated and hopeless. However there is a chance—they've learned about a clinical trial that holds groundbreaking promise. But the clinical trial is far away and requires travel, overnight lodging, time away from work, childcare and even more related costs. Their hope is quickly crushed by disappointment.     Cancer patients shouldn’t be denied the latest medical advancements that clinical trials bring because of financial and other barriers. All cancer patients, no matter where they live or how much money they make, should have these potentially lifesaving opportunities.  Sign the petition now urging Congress to pass the #ClinicalTrialModernizationAct, which would help relieve these and other barriers and allow more people to participate in clinical trials:  https://lnkd.in/eABYsiKU

We are thrilled to announce that ACS CAN, in collaboration with our Black Volunteer Caucus (BVC) and Black Voters Matter Fund, will be hosting the first nationwide, virtual screening of the short film In Due Season! A panel discussion will follow, featuring: ⭐ Storytellers from the film ⭐ Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, PhD , Chair, ACS CAN Board of Directors, ⭐ Dr. Karen Winkfield, MD, PhD , ACS CAN Board Member ⭐ Fenika Miller, MBA, Black Voters Matter This powerful film by award-winning director Ashley O’Shea highlights the racial inequities that exist in Medicaid non-expansion states. Join us on Wednesday, August 7 at 7:30pm ET / 4:30pm PT. Register: https://lnkd.in/ezqCVDKe

A new drug that could treat ovarian cancer recurrences. The first FDA-approved treatment for advanced cases of a certain type of sarcoma. A new way to deliver drugs directly to target cancer cells. What do these medical breakthroughs have in common?  They were made possible thanks to federally funded #CancerResearch. This year alone, there are expected to be more than 2 million cancer diagnoses in the U.S. Certain types of cancer are even on the rise in young people. Cancer research is one of our best tools to combat these trends. Sign the petition and urge Congress to increase funding for lifesaving cancer research:

Check out ACS CAN volunteers and staff in action at #PrideMonth events across the country! Our cancer advocates spoke with attendees about our advocacy work, including how we're advancing public policies to support equitable cancer care and eliminate cancer disparities in the LGBTQ+ community, and the importance of our incredible LGBTQIA+ & Allies Engagement Group. From highlighting resources for patients and survivors to encouraging people to share their cancer stories through advocacy, we had an amazing time being a part of such a welcoming and warm community! #CancerAdvocacy #HealthEquity

Incredible news: the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act passed the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means unanimously! ACS CAN volunteers and cancer advocates from across the country attended the bill markup to show their support for access to early detection. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at their day on #CapitolHill! Thank you to Representative Jodey Arrington and Representative Terri A. Sewell for introducing this important bipartisan legislation. The next step for the #MCEDAct is the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, where it will pass, and then it’s the Senate’s turn. Stay tuned for progress updates! #MCED #EarlyDetection #CancerAdvocacy

For our June Volunteer Spotlight, we're highlighting Corey Seaman, Vice State Lead Ambassador from ACS CAN Oklahoma. He's wishing everyone a #HappyPride and #NationalCancerSurvivorsMonth! Corey is a fierce advocate for health equity through his work to increase access to care in Oklahoma and with ACS CAN’s LGBTQ+ & Allies Engagement group. Thanks for your advocacy, Corey!

We're on Capitol Hill today with ACS CAN volunteers to attend the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means markup of the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act! The #MCEDAct would ensure that Medicare enrollees have access to #MCED tests once approved by the FDA and clinical benefit is shown. With 1 million Medicare enrollees expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year, this legislation is critical to save more lives. It's urgent for Congress to pass this bill. Keep a look out for us—we'll be in our blue shirts!