American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)

How We Fight for What’s Right

We work with lawmakers to pass national and state laws to defeat cancer and rally communities worldwide to join in our mission.

Saving lives through advocacy

Defeating cancer is as much a matter of public policy as scientific discovery. Every day, elected officials and policy makers at the federal, state, and local levels make decisions that affect the lives of more than 11 million cancer patients and survivors, their families and caregivers, and all those at risk for developing cancer. Advocacy is a critical part of the Society’s mission. To that end, the Society and its nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), work in partnership to ensure that elected officials and policy makers at all levels of government make the fight against cancer a top national priority. Help pass laws to defeat cancer by getting involved today.

Participating in events

American Cancer Society events are inspiring, uplifting, and great at bringing the fight against cancer directly into your community. From black-tie galas to full-length marathons, we have an event that will suit your interests and let you join in the spirit of camaraderie and compassion as we work together to save lives from cancer.

What is the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)?

ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. As the nation’s leading cancer advocacy organization, ACS CAN is working every day to make cancer issues a national priority.

Many of the most important decisions about cancer are made outside of your doctor’s office. Instead, they are made by your state legislature, in Congress and in the White House. ACS CAN empowers regular people to be part of the growing national movement that is fighting back against cancer.

ACS CAN is holding lawmakers accountable for their words and their actions. We demand that our leaders not only talk about fighting cancer but also take real steps toward decreasing the number of people suffering and dying from cancer.

ACS CAN Volunteers Are Winning
ACS CAN campaigns led by volunteers and staff across the nation have:

• Led to 25 states as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico to go smoke-free
• Stopped legislation that would have eliminated guaranteed insurance coverage of mammograms
• Passed state laws and referendums that are proven to help prevent children from starting or continuing to smoke
• Launched a nationwide access to care initiative

ACS CAN Is Winning the War on Cancer
ACS CAN will defeat cancer by:

• Funding aggressive grassroots, lobbying, and media campaigns to make every state smoke-free and to increase tobacco taxes and funding for cancer research. We advocate for early detection programs such as mammograms and colon cancer screenings
• Educating the public and media directly by supporting sophisticated training programs for volunteers to strengthen our movement and ensure that our voices are truly heard in the halls of government
• Hosting debates and producing voter guides, candidate forums, and advertising to get every lawmaker and candidate on the record in support of laws and policies that help people fight cancer and save lives
  These efforts produce policies, laws, and regulations that further the overall mission of both the American Cancer Society and ACS CAN to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

Why did the American Cancer Society form ACS CAN?

Previously, the American Cancer Society had one hand tied behind its back in the advocacy arena. By becoming a member of ACS CAN, advocates can use both hands to fight back against cancer.

• ACS CAN allows for increased lobbying of local, state, and federal officials.
• ACS CAN allows cancer advocates to hold lawmakers accountable for their votes and actions through voter guides and town hall meetings.
• ACS CAN provides legal protection to the Society. By forming ACS CAN, the Society is able to encourage additional advocacy efforts without jeopardizing its tax-deductible status.

For more information, visit the ACS CAN site!