2025 Advocacy Accomplishments

A Message from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Chief Executive Officer Shane Jacobson 

We are living in a time of unprecedented discovery in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatments. Advancements in cancer care have driven the death rate from the disease down 34 percent since 1991. More Americans are surviving cancer than ever before, with 18 million cancer survivors living in the US today. 

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are committed to building on these successes and improving the lives of people with cancer and their families. By working to apply what we know and investing in areas where we don’t, we are maximizing our collective impact on our mission. We’re focusing on prevention and early detection, cancer research and discovery, and cancer health disparities, delivering measurable impact with every dollar, every life, every year. 

Despite progress, the cancer burden remains high. That’s why we’re starting with what we know works: focusing on prevention and early detection as the most powerful tool in our toolbox. Screening and early detection have averted millions of deaths, and 40 percent of cancer cases are linked to modifiable risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, and inactivity. In 2024 ACS provided direct support and education for people with cancer, caregivers, and clinicians in more than 22,000 communities in the US and across 60 countries. 

As the largest private, nonprofit funder of cancer research outside of the federal government, ACS also knows that breakthroughs in research drive innovation – but they must be matched by accessibility and affordability. ACS is proud to fund more than $524 million in active grants, but health care is a team sport. No organization, provider, or system has all the answers or reach. 

We also know that cancer affects everyone, but not equally. Cancer health disparities persist across racial, geographic, and socioeconomic lines. Cancer detection and treatment disparities continue to widen among Americans in minority and underserved communities. These inequities demand immediate action. ACS and ACS CAN work to ensure everyone has access to the care and resources they need to help prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.  

Thank you for supporting our lifesaving work. We know innovation without equity is not progress – and you make this progress possible. With your help, we are making the cancer patient voice heard from city halls to the halls of Congress. 

Together, we are ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. 

Shane Jacobson
Chief Executive Officer
American Cancer Society and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

To our Amazing ACS CAN Volunteers, Team Members & Supporters,  

2025 was a year that yet again displayed the criticality of elevating our voices in the fight against cancer.  The policy environment has been difficult for our mission with the July passage of the Budget Reconciliation Bill, impacting access to affordable access to health insurance coverage both in Medicaid and Marketplaces nationwide.  Initial estimates project as many as 10 million fewer people will have health insurance by 2034; additionally, without action to extend enhanced health care tax credits, 4.2 million more could be priced out of coverage. These are not just numbers. Evidence has proven over and over the importance of health insurance to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer.  Loss of coverage impacts cancer outcomes for patients, their families, and so many futures, and underscores why our advocacy is essential. Your relentless efforts ensured the importance of access to care to our cancer mission was top of mind for every member of Congress throughout the debate. Although the outcome was not what we had hoped, our impact was undeniable. 

Against this backdrop, there were also many examples of ACS CAN delivering extraordinary progress. The Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Act (MCED) became the most cosponsored bill in the 119th Congress. This milestone reflects the power of thousands of calls, letters, and meetings from volunteers like you. We continue to champion affordability through the Health Care Affordability Act and advocate for a multitude of policy interventions that help make access to care more affordable. 

Our ongoing fight for research funding never wavers. We called on Congress to invest in lifesaving innovation, pushing for $51.3 billion for NIH, including $7.934 billion for NCI, $1.5 billion for ARPA-H, and $472.4 million for CDC cancer programs. These investments fuel breakthroughs that change lives, and we will never stop demanding progress. 

At the state level, the impact on our mission is undeniable. We continued leading the charge to pass biomarker testing legislation across the country, and in 2025 we now have 22 states ensuring access to precision medicine for countless patients. We eliminated out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer diagnostic screenings in seven states, ensuring early detection is not a financial burden. We fought for stronger tobacco control laws, defeated Big Tobacco-backed rollbacks in more than 15 states, and celebrated significant victories in Indiana and Maine with increased tobacco taxes to fund more tobacco control programs and to keep tobacco products out of the hands of children. We also made strides towards health care affordability. States from Virginia to Washington passed laws to protect patients from medical debt and stop harmful copay accumulator practices. 

The past year also reminded us of why representation matters. We're building a unified framework to align our engagement, messaging and metrics for health equity. In a year marked by divisiveness and attacks on civil and human rights, ACS CAN’s Volunteer Leadership Affinity Groups led the way, playing a significant role in fostering community and belonging by providing safe spaces for people with shared identities and experiences to connect and support one another. They have helped ACS CAN create a more inclusive environment and experience for existing and new volunteers.

As we look ahead, we do so with resolve. The challenges are real, but so is our momentum. ACS CAN is advancing our mission and expanding our impact through renewed and deeper investment in our critical work. Central to this progress is our community of visionary donors and supporters, whose commitment powers ACS CAN’s leadership in shaping public policy that strengthens cancer prevention, fuels research, and expands equitable access to care. Together, we are charting a bold path forward. Thank you to everyone who continues to propel our mission and help secure its lasting success.

Thank you to all ACS CAN volunteers, State Lead Ambassadors, Vice State Lead Ambassadors, Ambassador Constituent Team Leads, Legislative Ambassadors, affinity group leaders and members, the ACS CAN and ACS Boards of Directors, and team members for your unwavering dedication to this work. I am excited for our continued partnership and advocacy in the coming year.  

ACS CAN is energized by a shared commitment to move our mission forward and expand our impact through meaningful investment in the work that matters most. At the center of everything we do is our incredible community of volunteers, generous donors, and passionate supporters, whose dedication inspires our ongoing efforts to shape public policies that strengthen cancer prevention, fuel research, and ensure access to quality care for all. Together, we are building a hopeful and bold future, and we are deeply thankful to each of you for the role you play in powering our mission and making lasting progress possible.

Lisa A. Lacasse, MBA
President, ACS CAN

Lisa Lacasse

ACS CAN gratefully acknowledges the exemplary service and leadership of Dr. Kimberly L. Jeffries Leonard, whose vision and dedication have strengthened our mission and impact. 

In 2024, Dr. Jeffries Leonard made history as the first Black and indigenous woman to chair the ACS CAN Board of Directors. Drawing on more than four decades of experience in applied health and behavioral medicine across federal, private, and local sectors in Washington, D.C., her unwavering dedication continues to guide ACS CAN as it advances cancer prevention, access to care, and equity-driven public health policy.

During her tenure, Dr. Jeffries Leonard presided over pivotal Board meetings, represented ACS CAN at numerous events including the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, delivered opening remarks at the National Forum on the Future of Health Care Policy, and served on the ACS and ACS CAN CEO Search Committee. She boosted our efforts by emceeing and moderating In Due Season events, and inspired thousands of cancer advocates in Washington, DC at our annual Leadership Summit & Lobby Day. 

As 2025 marked Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard’s final full year serving as Board Chair, ACS CAN recognizes the enduring impact of her leadership, which has strengthened organizational governance, elevated our commitment to health equity, and fortified the relationship between ACS and ACS CAN. We are grateful for her steady direction and for positioning us for greater success in advancing our advocacy mission.   

2025 ACS CAN Impact at a Glance

impact at a glance 2024 infographic
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Who We Are

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is committed to advancing evidence-based public policies that reduce the cancer burden for everyone. In 2025, we continued to support volunteers nationwide to ensure their voices influenced policymakers at every level of government. Our mission is rooted in the belief that every person deserves a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has driven progress by securing billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanding access to affordable, high-quality health care and championing proven tobacco control measures. Today, we stand alongside our volunteers to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states, territories and our nation’s capital. 

Volunteers: The Heart of ACS CAN

We engage thousands of dedicated individuals in every congressional district across the country to share their time, skills and their stories to advance ACS CAN’s mission to advocate for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone.  Our volunteers are experts in taking action. They engage with their elected officials through phone calls, emails, social media, letters and in-person meetings, and speak out in their communities, halls of government and the media in support of public polices to help end cancer as we know it, for everyone.    

Judicial Advocacy Initiative

We work with attorneys who donate time and incredible legal expertise to help advance our mission by representing ACS CAN in influential court cases, regulatory proceedings, and legislative drafting to further mission goals. In 2023, we celebrated the 15th anniversary of ACS CAN's Judicial Advocacy Initiative (JAI). From its inception in August 2008 until December 2023, the program has resulted in $5.6 million in contributed services from law firms, with over $600,000 contributed in 2023 alone. Learn more about our Judicial Advocacy Initiative.     

Governance Excellence

We leverage the expertise and insight of our Board of Directors, which is comprised of physicians, researchers, public health professionals, civic leaders and experts.      

Coalitions and Partnerships

We lead coalitions and partner with organizations to advance public health policies that benefit people impacted by cancer and other chronic diseases through joint lobby days, congressional briefings, sponsorship and expert participation in conferences and panels. The following are highlights of critical coalitions and partnerships:     

ACS CAN founded and leads the One Voice Against Cancer Coalition (OVAC), a collaboration of over 50 national non-profit organizations advocating for sustained cancer research and prevention program funding. It is the leading cancer coalition in the nation’s capital, representing millions of cancer researchers, physicians, nurses, patients, survivors, and their families.     

ACS CAN founded and leads the Patient Quality of Life Coalition (PQLC), which advocates for palliative care legislation and works to amplify the patient voice.    

ACS CAN is a founding member of the Partnership to Protect Coverage Coalition (PPC), which works to ensure health coverage is affordable, accessible, adequate, and understandable. ACS CAN works with PPC on major legislative and regulatory issues, including Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and coverage issues.    

As a founding and lead partner of the Alliance for Cancer Care Equity (ACCE), ACS CAN works with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) to convene organizations committed to advancing public policy that fosters more equitable cancer outcomes with an intentional focus on racial and ethnic disparities.    

ACS CAN co-chaired the State Access to Innovative Medicines (SAIM) Coalition, which works to advance state legislation that regulates step therapy and reduces out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs.    

ACS CAN is an active member of the All Copays Count Coalition, which works to advance state legislation to restrict the use of copay accumulator adjustment programs and ensure patients receive the full value of prescription drug copay assistance.   

ACS CAN is also an active member and leader in state Medicaid expansion coalitions, such as Cover Alabama, Cover Georgia, and Care4Carolina.   

Voices of Impact

ACS CAN engages thousands of passionate advocates throughout every state and congressional district and in courthouses nationwide. These dedicated individuals invest their time, talents and personal stories to advance our mission to advocate for evidence-based public policies that reduce the cancer burden for all. 

Our volunteers are catalysts for change. They engage elected officials through calls, emails, social media, letters, face-to-face meetings and amicus curiae or “friend of the court” briefs. They raise their voices in communities, government offices, courts and the media, championing policies that move us closer to ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. 

ACS CAN volunteers are more than the heart of our organization – they are the driving force behind our impact. Their relentless advocacy keeps cancer at the forefront of our public policy advocacy agenda.  

Our voices undeniably led to impact throughout the year. In 2025, ACS CAN advocates:       

  • For the first time ever, raised more than $1 million in fundraising for ACS CAN.  
  • Took more than  308,000 online actions in support of advocacy campaigns.  
  • Directly contacted members of Congress nearly  369,000  times via email, phone calls, and social media interaction to advocate for our priorities across all federal issues in 2025.
  • Filed 15 amicus briefs in legal challenges that would affect access to care and tobacco control. 
  • Were featured in over  8,500  national and state news stories related to our mission priorities, a  29 percent  increase from 2024.   

Volunteer in Action Spotlight

Matthew Chen, an ACS CAN volunteer from Kansas, published a compelling op-ed in The Kansas City Star detailing his experience lobbying Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) and emphasizing the importance of continued NIH funding for cancer research. He also amplified this message through interviews with NewsNation and KCTV5. Inspired by the impact of cancer on his own family, Matthew has become a passionate advocate for advancing lifesaving research.

Our Why......

“With ACS CAN, I’ve felt like I’m heard because it’s not just me advocating for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. There’s strength in numbers when we all advocate for the same thing.”
— Kitti Walkup-Birkhead, Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT) Lead, Colorado

“For the first time in a long while, I feel a sense of agency. It brings me great joy to know that I can help others with my stories, and I am grateful to ACS CAN for allowing my voice to be heard.”
— Jung A Han, ACT Lead of the Year 2025, Massachusetts

“Volunteering with ACS CAN gives me a way to turn my grief into impact by working on legislation, awareness campaigns and funding initiatives that can change outcomes for children.”
— Sahil Mehta, Legislative Ambassador, California

Voices of Hope

Championing Change Together  

ACS CAN advocates, including patients, survivors and family members representing all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico and nearly every congressional district, participated in our 19th annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day (LS&LD), with approximately 700 in attendance who gathered in Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of everyone impacted by cancer.      

 

Advocates participated in meetings with all 100 Senate offices and  384  House offices, including  122  member-level meetings and  173  senior staff-level meetings, to ask lawmakers to: 

  • Support the highest possible increases for cancer research and prevention in the FY26 funding bill by including: 
    • $51.3 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including $7.934 billion for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). 
    • $1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). 
    • $472.4 million for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cancer programs, including $230 million for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP).
  • Support final passage of the bipartisan, bicameral Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 842/S. 339). 
  • Ensure a pathway to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced health care tax credits, which were set to expire at the end of 2025. These credits currently make health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans. 

During LS&LD, volunteers attended the House Ways and Means Committee meeting, where members of Congress acknowledged the sea of ACS CAN blue shirts in the room. Volunteers were thanked publicly for showing up, and their presence was credited with helping drive momentum for the unanimous passage of the MCED bill – with a vote 43 to 0.

Additionally, ACS CAN hosted an impactful rally on Capitol Hill to highlight the importance of federal investments in cancer research and prevention. This rally featured remarks from an ACS CAN volunteer, Teresa Simpson of Massachusetts, as well as remarks from a bipartisan, bicameral group of members of Congress who emphasized the importance of federal investment.

ACS CAN honored loved ones and all those touched by cancer during our 15th annual National Lights of Hope event.  With nearly 10,000 decorated bags in Washington, D.C., displaying nearly 85,000 bags nationwide, and  53 7-foot-high story columns highlighting one story from each state and territory, hundreds of advocates and supporters participated in the event at Constitution Gardens on the National Mall. In addition to the display in Washington, D.C., Lights of Hope were displayed in communities across the country. Volunteers raised more than  $925,000 in 2025, including more than  280  local sponsorships nationwide. 

Our voices were amplified through media coverage of Lights of Hope and LS&LD featuring volunteers sharing their personal stories and highlights of their time in the nation’s capital – one of which was an NPR story reported by Noam Levey in partnership with KFF Health News that showcased our New York volunteers’ deeply personal reasons for advocating, and the real impact of these conversations on Capitol Hill.  Listen to the full NPR story

Additionally, volunteers participated in  36  interviews on LS&LD alone through a radio and TV media tour, including multicultural media outlets serving Hispanic/Latino and Black communities. In the days and weeks following the event, we secured more than 480 media hits. Volunteers also took to our social media platforms to amplify the event with over  1.1K  posts and more than  44.4K  engagements, that reached  1.9  million accounts with an absolute reach of over  6  million.

 

In 2025, ACS CAN’s advertising supporting both our Protect Cancer Cures campaign and our efforts to Protect Medicaid generated more than  17.7 million impressions nationwide, elevating patient and survivor stories while driving attention to the need to protect cancer research funding and access to care. 

Voices Defending Medicaid

ACS CAN demonstrated power and presence to fight for cancer patients and their families at risk of losing affordable, quality health insurance. The devastating rollbacks to Medicaid and Marketplace coverage in early July, marked by Congress passing the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill, brought continued challenges and powerful reminders of why ACS CAN’s work is critically important.

ACS CAN is deeply grateful to the dedicated team members and volunteers who continued to mobilize at every stage of our nationwide campaign. Our voices were heard – loud and clear. One of the most powerful moments in this fight came when Senator Dick Durbin brought ACS CAN’s position to the Senate floor. In his remarks (pictured below), he underscored the real-life consequences of the bill, quoting our statement directly:

“Voting for this bill means voting to rip that chance of survival away from real people,” he read. “Simply put, this bill will mean more Americans are living sicker and dying sooner.”

This moment was a clear testament to the strength of our advocacy. It demonstrated that when ACS CAN advocates raise their voices – through phone calls, emails, letters, office visits and the sharing of personal stories – Congress listens. Our impact has been undeniable.

ACS CAN’s commitment to advancing our mission priorities was unwavering through the high-visibility efforts of our team members and volunteers. Across the country, our grassroots network was loudly amplified through our Protect Medicaid Campaign initiative. Advocates nationwide attended town halls, collected petitions at community events, launched billboards and amplified advocacy through social media. In addition to the incredible earned media placements in both national and local outlets, there have been a variety of high-impact activities and visibility across the nation.  

Our Impact Mobilized: 

            • 449  office visits (drop-ins and meetings) 
            • 39  town halls attended 
            • 10  in-district events 
            • 32,967  petition signatures 
            • 150,000  messages sent to Congress 
            • 6,175  phone calls to offices 
            • 82  million+ ad impressions 
            • Over 1,250 national and state news stories 
            • Two Medicaid Day of Action social media campaigns hosted by us urging lawmakers to reject cuts to Medicaid 

Mission Impact

Equitable Access to Care

ACS CAN led the charge nationwide to remove barriers to ensure everyone has access to lifesaving, evidence-based care.  By uplifting the voices of those touched by cancer, we continuously illuminated the path toward change and called on policymakers at every level to take bold action. 

  • ACS CAN led an  amicus brief  aimed at preserving the rights of Medicaid beneficiaries to choose their own health care provider, with an emphasis on evidence of health disparities in rural populations that was relevant to the case.  
  • Our  Kansas  advocates delivered a Medicaid storybook (pictured below) to targeted lawmakers at the State Capitol in Topeka to illustrate the immediate impact of the Medicaid coverage gap for those within their state. See press coverage
  • ACS CAN’s Montana advocates helped reauthorize Medicaid expansion, protecting access to health insurance for  75,000  people and removing a sunset clause that previously required lawmakers to reauthorize the program every five years.   
  • In Idaho, ACS CAN worked to generate a significant outcry and resistance to a bill that would have repealed Medicaid expansion and taken coverage away from  87,000 people. With smart, focused advocacy and by highlighting the stories of Idahoans enrolled in Medicaid, ACS CAN prevented the repeal of expanded Medicaid.  
  • In  Indiana, ACS CAN advocated to amend a bill that would have capped enrollment in Medicaid – blocking over  2500,000 residents from receiving Medicaid coverage.  

 

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  • ACS CAN hosted a virtual event (pictured above) – “Health Care in Crisis: What Coverage Losses Mean for Cancer Patients and the Road Ahead” – for volunteers and action-takers. ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse and other experts discussed the significant impact our advocates made by advocating loudly across the nation to urge lawmakers to reject the significant Medicaid cuts outlined in the reconciliation bill.  
  • ACS CAN joined two amicus briefs  in cases challenging the Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Rule finalized in June by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that would result in millions of people losing health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). A court in one of the cases put key provisions of the rule on hold prior to it taking effect, maintaining access to the ACA exchanges for many.   
  • Due to ACS CAN advocacy with our coalition partners, for the first time in six years, the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) was introduced on a bicameral basis, with both bills being introduced on a bipartisan basis. PCHETA would create a national public education and awareness campaign to educate providers and patients about the availability of palliative care at any age or stage of diagnosis and expand federal research in relevant areas. It also aims to enhance a patient’s satisfaction with care and helps control costs of individuals with serious illness or multiple chronic conditions. 
  • Through the advocacy work of ACS CAN, supported by a strong volunteer leadership team, that includes National ACS Board member Jaime Wesolowski and Area Board Member Charles Leddy, we successfully secured a $1 million appropriation from the City of San Antonio for the American Cancer Society Methodist Healthcare Ministries Hope Lodge capitol campaign in San Antonio, Texas.
  • Indiana, Maryland  and  North Dakota enacted laws to increase access to prescription drugs by eliminating so-called copay accumulator adjustments in state-regulated health insurance plans. These laws will ensure that prescription drug copayment assistance is counted toward a patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. 
  • Nebraska and New Jersey enacted new laws to expand access to biomarker testing by ensuring state-regulated health insurance plans cover testing when supported by medical and scientific evidence. Connecticut expanded its current law to ensure biomarker testing is covered by private health insurance plans in addition to Medicaid – bringing the total number of states with enacted biomarker legislation nationwide to 22 states, covering an estimated 92.5M lives. Pictured below - New Jersey volunteers Tom Delleart, Ellen Decker and Michael Trocchia visited the district office of Senator Pennacchio to express their appreciation for his support in advancing the step therapy and biomarker legislation.
  • ACS CAN commended leaders in North Carolina for their commitment to cancer patients and their families following the relief of more than $6.5 billion in medical debt for over 2.5 million residents—an important milestone in the state’s post-2023 Medicaid expansion efforts to eliminate existing debt and establish protections against future medical debt.
  • ACS CAN endorsed the introduction of the bipartisan Cancer Drug Parity Act (H.R. 4101), which addresses the unequal coverage of oral therapies, empowering patients and health care providers to choose the most effective treatment path without financial barriers. 
  • We joined an amicus brief defending a rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in early January that  banned the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports used by lenders and prohibited lenders from using medical information in their lending decisions.  
  • ACS CAN  supported successful efforts to pass  legislation to prohibit credit  agencies from reporting medical debt in  Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont  and  Washington. 
  • Rhode Island,  Virginia  and  Washington  advocates helped to pass bills to reduce the burden of medical debt that many cancer patients experience while dealing with the cost of a cancer diagnosis.  
  • In  Maine  and  Maryland,ACS CAN advocates  worked to prevent patients from incurring medical debt by  pushing legislation to increase access to financial  assistance  programs across the finish line.  

Accelerating Cures

Through dedicated advocacy efforts, ACS CAN played a pivotal role in advancing policies that strengthen research funding and broaden access to innovative therapies. Ensuring that groundbreaking breakthroughs reach the individuals who need them most requires consistent, long-term growth in federal and state research funding, along with focused action to reduce inequities in personalized medicine and overcome obstacles to clinical trial participation. 

  • Shown above - ACS CAN volunteers and team members attended the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing  titled Biomedical Research: Keeping America’s Edge in Innovation, where witnesses discussed the importance of maintaining the U.S. global leadership in biomedical research, including how it benefits patients.  ACS CAN received recognition from the dais, with  Senator Katie Britt recognizing Alabama volunteer Gary Cornelius  and press coverage of Gary’s trip to Washington, D.C., in the  Alabama Daily News  and local Fox affiliate  WBRC.  Additionally, Gary’s op-ed discussing the importance of biomedical research was published in  AL.com.  
  • The President’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026 included a nearly 40 percent cut to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). At the time, ACS CAN expressed deep concern about the potential impacts of such a deep cut. Due to ACS CAN’s advocacy and our work with coalition partners, the  House  and  Senate rejected the deep cuts to research in the president’s budget when both passed funding increases for our funding priorities at NCI, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  ACS CAN was proud to see our message breaking through, with our statement calling on the president to reverse course being amplified in The New York TimesCNN and several other media outlets. 
  • ACS CAN volunteers and team members from key states attended the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing with National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya to highlight the potential impact of such substantial cuts to NIH funding for members of the subcommittee. ACS CAN was featured in several national and local news outlets, such as  CNN  and  The Kansas City Star.  
  • The Texas  biennial budget for 2026-2027 was passed by both the House and Senate and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott. The enacted budget includes a significant $638 million in mission-related funding, with $600 million designated for the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), which is the largest state investment in cancer research in U.S. history.  
  • ACS CAN and the  Neev Kolte & Brave Ronil Foundation endorsed Assembly Bill 703, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, giving California taxpayers the option to voluntarily donate a portion of their state tax return to support childhood cancer research starting in January 2026.  
  • The ACS CAN  Pennsylvania  team hosted a press conference in August in front of Independence Hall, bringing together cancer survivors, researchers and representatives from each of the comprehensive cancer centers in the state to call on Congress to fund progress and protect cancer cures. The press conference received  prominent media attention
  •  ACS CAN joined fellow members of the ACS CAN-led One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) Coalition on Capitol Hill. Together, heads of OVAC member organizations met with key senators who are leaders on the Appropriations Committee to call on Congress to prioritize$47.2 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $7.374 billion for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), $1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) and $417.5 million for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cancer programs in Fiscal Year 2026.  
  • Congress passed its Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill that delivered key victories in the fight against cancer and reaffirmed it as a national priority. The package provides funding increases for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC's) Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, and maintains funding for Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) and Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). It also advances pediatric cancer policies, improves patient access via expanded telehealth services and enacts the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act.

 

  • During the Tri-Con Precision Medicine and Next Generation Dx summits, ACS CAN presented state biomarker testing laws and best practices for implementation. The sessions sparked productive conversations with partners and highlighted real-world stories of how these laws are already making a difference for patients.   
  • ACS CAN  participated in a panel at the Association for Value-Based Cancer Care event in New York City at the end of October, joining leaders from Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), Tempus, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). The discussion focused on the impact of state biomarker testing laws, with strong support from partners and appreciation for ACS CAN’s leadership in advancing access to precision medicine.  
  • ACS CAN recommendations for pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing were cited in efforts that led to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) updating treatment guidelines to include recommending PGx testing prior to the use of fluoropyrimidine therapy. Such testing is estimated to potentially prevent over 1,000 deaths annually due to treatment toxicity. Thanks to our support of state biomarker laws, the inclusion of this recommendation in NCCN guidelines means that testing will be covered for more patients who can benefit. 

 

Prevention and Early Detection

Expanding access to prevention and early detection services is critical in reducing the burden of cancer, improving health outcomes, and saving lives. ACS CAN achieved major progress in advancing tobacco control and expanding access to prevention and early detection services in 2025. We celebrated numerous victories from our advocacy efforts across local, state, and federal levels. 

  • Advocates in Indiana urged the legislature in the passage of its state budget to include a $2 per pack increase in the cigarette tax and raise taxes on some other tobacco products. This win marked the first increase in Indiana’s cigarette tax in 18 years. In its first full year, the tax increase is projected to generate over $318 million in revenue. Indiana also protected $9.1 million in tobacco control funding. Maine also increased its cigarette tax and raised taxes on some other tobacco products. The state increased its cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack. Maine also protected $15.9 million in tobacco control funding and passed a law prohibiting pharmacies from selling tobacco products.
  • In Kentucky, ACS CAN successfully stopped a statewide bill that would have exempted cigar bars from local indoor smoke-free ordinances. 
  • In  Missouri, ACS CAN helped to secure $3.9 million in additional tobacco control funds and gained the flexibility to fund state tobacco control staff. Tennessee  also successfully increased additional funds for tobacco control, increasing state funding for their tobacco control program from $2 million to $7.1 million.  
  • In California, ACS CAN helped secure $5.22 million in state funding to fund six tobacco grants. These three-year grants support the advancement of local tobacco policies in the tobacco retail environment and smoke- and tobacco-free spaces. The grants are designed to engage the Hispanic/Latino, African American/Black, Asian American and Pacific Islander and rural communities.   
  • ACS CAN’s Illinois team advocated for lawmakers to pass a $55.2 billion state budget, which includes an increase in taxes on tobacco products such as e-cigarettesand nicotine pouches. This brings the tax rate on all tobacco taxes parallel to the cigarette tax to prevent kids from starting to use any tobacco products and encourage those already addicted to quit. The budget also allocated $5 million of the taxes collected directly to tobacco control. 
  • ACS CAN’s  Oklahoma  team helped defeat a bill that would have reduced the tax by 50% on some tobacco products. 
  • In  Colorado, Denver voters upheld a law ending the sale of menthol cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products, with over 70 percent of votes in support of Referendum 310. ACS CAN’s support for the campaign helped defend a major public health victory to keep addictive and deadly flavored tobacco products off the market.   
  • The ACS CAN Montana team successfully advocated to include e-cigarettes in the statewide smoke-free law and defeated proposals that would have weakened it by permitting cigar smoking in bars. Additionally, Montana increased funding for tobacco control efforts. 
  • The ability to effectively implement proven tobacco prevention and cessation programs and services took an unpredicted turn in 2025 with the elimination of the CDC’s Office of Smoking and Health (OSH). Among many important functions, OSH provided critical funding to state tobacco control programs, ran the evidence-based Tips for Former Smokers media campaign and published data-driven reports on tobacco use and its impact in the U.S. In response, ACS CAN supported an April 21 congressional letter led by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) to the administration opposing federal cuts to tobacco control by engaging in direct lobbying to build support for this letter. ACS CAN also promoted the letter on LinkedIn.  
  • ACS CAN continued to advocate for FY 2026 funding for OSH to restore the programs that were eliminated. We engaged in direct lobbying to increase the number of members of Congress who signed on to support the House and Senate CDC OSH appropriations letters.  The final House letter had 83 signers, an increase from last year - with the final Senate letter had 27 signers.  
  • The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) delivered a major public health victory by unanimously ruling that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acted lawfully when it issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) for flavored e-cigarettes that appeal to kids such as  Jimmy the Juice Man, Strawberry Astronaut and Pink Lemonade. ACS CAN contributed to this victory by joining multiple amicus briefs highlighting the dangers of tobacco use and the role flavors play in addicting children.  The SCOTUS win followed many years of litigation.
  • After the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) conducted massive reductions in force (RIFs) in March, several states sued the agency, alleging major damage to their public health programs and withholding of funds appropriated by Congress. ACS CAN joined tobacco control partners in filing  two amicus briefs  at different stages of the litigation outlining the dangers of tobacco use and underscoring the critical roles of the Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as parts of HHS. States ultimately received the tobacco control funds designated by Congress, but the RIFs have had a negative impact on prevention and cessation.   
  • ACS CAN joined an amicus brief  filed in U.S. district court in Georgia defending the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule requiring graphic warnings on cigarette packs and advertisements against the latest of numerous tobacco industry legal challenges to the rule.   
  • ACS CAN led 33 patient and physician groups in filing an amicus brief at the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in the case of  Kennedy v. Braidwood Management. A 6-3 SCOTUS victory in June upheld key provisions of the Affordable Care Act, which provides over 150 million patients access to lifesaving cancer screenings recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force without copay. In December, plaintiffs dropped other claims in the case, and the district court entered final judgment, ending over three years of ACS CAN involvement with a major win. 
  • The Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) bill was introduced in the House and the Senate. Led by U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Florida) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R- Pennsylvania) and U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) and Katie Britt (R-Alabama), the legislation would ensure financial barriers do not stand in the way of detecting breast cancer early, when it may be easier to treat. ACS CAN served as a panelist for the Congressional Briefing that featured Hoda Kotb, former host of The Today Show.
  • Driven by ACS CAN’s unwavering advocacy, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act became the most cosponsored bill in Congress, advanced unanimously out of the House Ways and Means Committee and received a strong legislative hearing in the House Energy and Commerce Committee – reflecting broad bipartisan support and significant momentum toward expanded early cancer detection. 

 

 

  • ACS CAN joined the LUNGevity Foundation and dozens of cancer advocacy organizations at a press conference to lead a nationwide effort for the need for early detection, research funding and equitable access to care for those affected by lung cancer. Over 60,000 white flags were planted across the National Mall in Washington, D.C., representing the nearly 125,000 Americans who die from lung cancer each year. 
  • In  Arkansas, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed genetic testing and supplemental breast imaging bills into law.   
  • In  Colorado, ACS CAN  commended  Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado General Assembly for including substantial funding for tobacco control and cancer screening programs in the 2025-2026 fiscal year appropriations bill. The bill will maintain funding for the state’s tobacco prevention and cessation grant programs, as well as the breast and cervical cancer screening program, which currently benefits Coloradans across the state and has helped aid in the fight against cancer.  
  • In  New York, ACS CAN  advocated for the successful passage of  legislation eliminating cost-sharing for lung cancer screening, follow-up scans and diagnostic tests.  

Health Equity

ACS CAN championed policies to help ensure every person regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or geographic location has a fair opportunity to benefit from lifesaving cancer care advances. Prioritizing equitable access to health care and elevating the voices of communities that are most affected strengthened our collective efforts in bringing us closer to a future of affordable care and advancing policies that eliminate existing barriers. 

In terms of tobacco control and prevention, ACS CAN’s health equity focus is to empower communities historically targeted by the tobacco industry and engage them in evidence-based local tobacco policy change. In 2025, we engaged and expanded our work within the Hispanic Latino, African American and Asian American Pacific Islander communities. Our efforts are funded through California tobacco tax revenue that we helped generate through a successful ballot initiative in 2016, and we have used this funding to expand our presence, influence and health equity in communities we otherwise would not have the resources to reach.

  • ACS CAN endorsed the Equality Act (H.R. 15/S. 1503), legislation that prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, federally funded programs and other key settings.  
  • ACS CAN  continued to advocate for broad protections against discrimination in health care services for LGBTQ+ individuals by leading an amicus brief joined by 24 patient and physician groups (two in litigation at the US Court of Appeals for the 11th  Circuit) defining the scope of protections under section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. The brief provided data on the distinct challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the health care system and the need for services without discrimination  
  • Nineteen states challenged a policy from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that allowed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients (or “dreamers”) to access health insurance through the ACA.  ACS CAN led an amicus brief defending the policy and providing the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit data on the importance of health insurance coverage and barriers that DACA recipients have faced in obtaining it.  
  • As part of the Collaboration for Equitable Health (CFEH) from 2022-2025, ACS CAN partnered with community-based organizations in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Memphis and St. Louis to identify and address disparities widening the health equity gap in areas of food access, Medicaid and safer streets to access health care. This work was done through coalition building, grassroots training, community organizing and uplifting community voices through advocacy forums, policy planning, outreach and education. In 2025, our CFEH partners included:   
        • Food Well Alliance in Atlanta, Georgia 
        • Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy in Charlotte, North Carolina 
        • Advocates for Community Wellness, Greater Chicago Food Depository and VicTory 4 Kidz in Chicago, Illinois 
        • Center for Transforming Communities and I Love My Community in Memphis, Tennessee
        • Transform 314 in St. Louis, Missouri 
  • ACS  CAN endorsed the Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act (S 1893/HR 3498), which would posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks in recognition of the immeasurable contributions her immortal cells have made to global health, scientific discovery, improved quality of life and patients’ rights.  
  • New federal legislation  that would make it easier for all cancer patients to participate in clinical trials was introduced in the House of Representatives. Sponsored by U.S. Representatives Raul Ruiz (D-California) and August Pfluger (R-Texas), the Clinical Trial Modernization Act would help remove cost and geographic hurdles that prevent patients from participating in clinical trials.  
  • ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse participated in The Hill Talks: A Focus on Clinical Trials event in June (pictured below), which explored steps Congress can take to improve clinical trial access. The discussion covered the financial landscape of trials, key participation barriers and the broader implications for drug development.  
  • ACS CAN  led more than 100 organizations in sending a  letter  to Congress expressing strong support for the  Clinical Trial Modernization Act (HR 3521), which would make it easier for patients to participate in clinical trials.    
  • ACS CAN continues to work to expand insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing in efforts to improve access to cancer treatment.  Without action to expand coverage and access to biomarker testing, advances in precision medicine could increase existing disparities in cancer outcomes by race, ethnicity, income and geography. In 2025, legislation was introduced in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington.  
  • ACS CAN led 21 partner advocacy and professional society partners in requesting  that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant a safe harbor from the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) for financial support of clinical trial participants. The safe harbor is critical to ensure clinical trials are representative of the broader population of cancer patients and low-income or remote patients are not unfairly kept from participation due to financial burdens.   
  • Legislation to increase access to breast and cervical cancer screening was introduced in the Senate. The bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. For more than 30 years, this program has delivered essential breast and cervical cancer screenings, diagnostic tests and treatment to underserved, low-income, underinsured and uninsured communities nationwide.  
  • ACS CAN also continues to support the  Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act, which would ensure no-cost coverage for breast cancer screening, including necessary diagnostic and supplemental testing. Eliminating cost-sharing for diagnostic and follow-up services is critical to improving access and expanding coverage for women at risk of breast cancer.  
  • The U.S. Supreme Court declined to revisit its landmark decision affirming a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, rejecting an appeal by former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, who refused to issue marriage licenses due to her religious objections. This decision preserves a critical legal precedent that protects equal rights and helps ensure that all individuals – regardless of who they love or how they identify – can access comprehensive, affordable health care. ACS CAN supports marriage equality, as it provides a vital avenue for individuals to access employer-based and family health insurance coverage – key to ensuring timely, affordable cancer care.  
  • ACS CAN supported the Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for High-risk Insured Men (PSA Screening for HIM) Act (S 297/HR 1300), which was introduced in the Senate in January 2025 and in the House of Representatives in February 2025. The bipartisan legislation would waive cost-sharing requirements for those with the highest risk of prostate cancer, including Black men and those with a family history of the disease.  
    • As a result of ACS CAN’s advocacy to advance state legislation to increase access to prostate cancer screening for men at high risk of developing the disease,  nine states and the District of Columbia  now have laws thatrequire state-regulated insurers to cover the screenings without out-of-pocket costs.  
  • ACS CAN’s  Alaska advocates helpedto secure legislation in passing an omnibus insurance bill that included updates to breast and colorectal cancer screening. These updates remove cost-sharing requirements and align colorectal cancer screening with American Cancer Society guidelines, including future updates for Alaska Native populations.  Shown below are our Alaska advocates proudly in action as dedicated volunteers. 
  • In 2025, ACS CAN’s six Volunteer Leadership Affinity Groups include a total of 377 members, representing nearly a 15 percent increase from 2024.
  • ACS CAN participated in 65 Pride events across 35 states this year, including  World Pride in Washington, D.C., in partnership with  Cheeky Charity (pictured below). These events served as powerful spaces for visibility, resilience, and community, while advancing advocacy priorities from protecting Medicaid and cancer cures to increasing colorectal cancer screening awareness with Cheeky Charity’s inflatable colon.  
  • At the beginning of the year, ACS CAN’s LGBTQIA+ & Allies Engagement Group hosted a virtual screening of the film  Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer  with over 200 live participants. The film documents the journey of two transmasculine people, their families, and their communities, as they navigate breast cancer and ovarian cancer within the medical system. After the screening there was discussion with the two  filmmakers.  
  • ACS CAN's Black Volunteer Caucus (BVC) held a virtual fireside chat on the American Cancer Society-led groundbreaking research study, VOICES of Black Women. Panelists provided an overview of the impact of VOICES and discussed how the study can help bridge the gap in cancer research and care for Black women.    
  • ACS CAN's Indigenous Volunteer Voices  affinity group hosted two virtual screenings (shown below) in August of the ACS documentary Real Lives: Cancer Stories of Indigenous People  including a storyteller panel and special screening for Hawaii, Guam, and Alaska.  
  • ACSí Se Puede  debuted a year-long social media video project  for Hispanic Heritage Month to share how the Hispanic/Latino communities honor and celebrate culture all year, including advocating for cancer patients and their families.
  • The Young Leaders Caucus (YLC) hosted two virtual book clubs to amplify the voices and stories of young people, the transgender community and  rural communities.  
  • The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Volunteer Caucus members shared stories on social media for Lung  and Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, both cancers disproportionately  impact  Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.   Pictured below - ACS CAN ACT Lead Jung A Han from Massachusetts amplified her voice to inform others of the importance of early detection screening.   
  • At the  National Indian Health Board (NIHB) 2025 Conference in Arizona, ACS and ACS CAN cosponsored an event that attracted more than 1,200 participants. ACS CAN also partnered with the Arizona Department of Health Services and Northern Arizona University to host an engaging exhibit and contribute to a plenary session on diversifying tribal health funding.  
  • ACS and ACS CAN sponsored and were featured during the National Indian Health Board’s reception at the National Congress of American Indians Conference in Seattle, Washington. The event highlighted federal priorities, cancer disparities and partnerships like the American Cancer Society Health Equity Ambassadors program. 
  • ACS CAN delivered Breaking Barriers: Expanding Access and Inclusion in Cancer Clinical Trials action training during the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Legislative Day. We also conducted training on ACA Enhanced Tax Credits, supported by co-branded materials shared with members of Congress.  
  • We strengthened our national partnerships by sponsoring key leadership and health equity events, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Health and Leadership Conferences (pictured below), the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) Legislative Conference and Gala and the  National Council of Urban Indian Health Conference.
  • ACS CAN sponsored and attended the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Summit in Oklahoma City, which convened legislators to focus on key priorities impacting Hispanic and Latino communities. The Summit focused on state-level reforms that promote transparent hospital billing, clear charity care policies, income-based financial assistance, fair payment plans and stronger oversight of nonprofit hospitals, while banning aggressive debt-collection practices. 
  • ACS CAN hosted our annual National Forum on the Future of Health Care, which drives progress in cancer prevention, early detection and equitable access to care. The forum brought together national leaders, advocates, researchers and policymakers to address breaking down barriers to both access and innovation in cancer screening and early detection.
  •  ACS CAN partnered with We Are All Human for a second year (pictured below) to support their 2025 Hispanic Leadership Summit and Hispanic Star Gala in New York. We Are All Human highlights the contributions of the Hispanic community and creates opportunities, networks and action across all sectors to uplift the Hispanic narrative. ACS CAN’s continued partnership is a testament to our dedication to equity and inclusion and growing our alliances with organizations like We Are All Human, which works to create and empower a network of leaders focused on equity and humanity. 
  • ACS CAN also joined the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) and began serving on its Health Task Force.
  • ACS CAN joined the National LGBTQIA+ Cancer Network and Genentech to sponsor the second Out AT ASCO social event to continue fostering community, making connections and holding discussions about the advocacy work and legislative policies that impact the LGBTQIA+ community and how we can work together to address disparities.  
  • We continued our support of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference, sponsoring both the Day of Healing Prayer Breakfast and the Phoenix Awards Dinner. We also participated in panels on medical debt and health innovation (pictured below).  

Voices of Tenacity 

Through ACS CAN’s Protecting Cancer Cures campaign, we proudly elevated patient voices through our advocacy, making a tangible impact in influencing lawmakers to take the lead in protecting the nation’s critical cancer research infrastructure. We launched a powerful new website – Voices of Cancer Research – to highlight the personal stories of those impacted by cancer research and the consequences of funding cuts.  One Voice Against Cancer Coalition (OVAC), a collaboration of over 50 national nonprofit organizations founded by ACS CAN that advocates for sustained cancer research and prevention program funding,  also amplified advocacy activities throughout the year.  

In December, advocates for the ACS CAN HOPE  from Coast-to-Coast initiative  visited four cities in Tennessee, California, Arizona and Florida to share our message that communities across the country are building HOPE for cancer cures. Supporters in Nashville, Miami, Phoenix and San Jose created an art installation by using sticky notes in 7-foot tall letters to spell out the word HOPE as a colorful testament to what can be done when Congress funds the fight against cancer.  

ACS CAN’s collective and continued work ensured cancer patient voices were elevated in our efforts to protect and advance vital, mission-critical policies. We: 

  • Submitted more than 90,000 messages into Congress  
  • Generated over 50,000 petition signers that were delivered nationwide to senators 
  • Were featured in over 800 national and state news stories 
  • Attended 392 district-level congressional meetings and drop-ins and 46 congressional town halls 
  • Hosted a bipartisan, bicameral rally on Capitol Hill featuring six lawmakers and hundreds of volunteers 
  • Executed 12 billboards across five states in July through September, raising the critical need for sustained funding for cancer research.
  • Hosted a five-day van tour across Michigan 
  • Attended district activities via state fairs and college football tailgates to further community engagement and support 
  • Ran national campaign ads urging Congress to protect cancer research and prevention funding 

 

 

Coalitions and Partnerships

Annually, ACS CAN leads coalitions and partners with organizations to advance public health policies that benefit people impacted by cancer and other chronic diseases through joint lobby days, congressional briefings and sponsorship and expert participation in conferences and panels. The following are highlights of critical coalitions and partnerships in 2025:      

  • ACS CAN founded and leads the  One Voice Against Cancer Coalition (OVAC), a collaboration of over 50 national nonprofit organizations advocating for sustained cancer research and prevention program funding. It is the leading cancer coalition in the nation’s capital, representing millions of cancer researchers, physicians, nurses, patients, survivors and their families.   
  • ACS CAN founded and leads the  Patient Quality of Life Coalition (PQLC), which advocates for palliative care legislation and works to amplify the patient voice. 
  • ACS CAN is a founding member of the  Partnership to Protect Coverage (PPC) Coalition, which works to ensure health coverage is affordable, accessible, adequate and understandable. We work with PPC on major legislative and regulatory issues. 
  • As a founding member and lead partner of the  Alliance for Cancer Care Equity (ACCE),  ACS CAN works with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) to convene organizations committed to advancing public policy that fosters more equitable cancer outcomes with an intentional focus on addressing racial and ethnic disparities.     
  • ACS CAN provides leadership to the  State Access to Innovative Medicines (SAIM) Coalition, which works to advance state legislation that regulates step therapy and reduces out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs.     
  • ACS CAN leads a group of more than 80 national patient and provider organizations to support state legislation to expand coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing. 
  • ACS CAN is an active member of the  All Copays Count Coalition, which works to advance state legislation to restrict the use of copay accumulator adjustment programs and ensure patients receive the full value of prescription drug copay assistance.  
  • ACS CAN is an active member and leader in state Medicaid expansion coalitions, such as Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, Care4Mississippi,Cover Alabama,Cover Georgia  and  Care4Carolina.
  • ACS CAN is an active member and leader in several state coalitions working to protect patients and their families from medical debt. 
  • ACS CAN is an active member of the  American Cancer Society Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Advisory Group, which provides technical assistance and support to state comprehensive cancer control programs across the United States, Pacific Island jurisdictions, territories and tribes and tribal organizations. ACS CAN is also an active member in state coalitions. 
  • ACS CAN is an active member in  Connecting to Coverage Coalition (CCC), which is a diverse collection of stakeholders partnering to minimize disruptions in health coverage associated with the resumption of state Medicaid renewals. 
  • ACS CAN is an anchor member of the  Cost & Coverage Collaborative, which leverages the collective strength of health care and equity advocates to lower health care costs, expand coverage and close health equity gaps. 
  • ACS CAN is a founding member of  Keep Americans Covered, a coalition of the health care community that represents patients, consumers, doctors, hospitals, health insurers and employers to help keep health care affordable for millions of Americans. 
  • ACS CAN is a steering committee member of the Alliance for Breast Cancer Policy to drive federal policy forward to address breast cancer prevention and care. 
  • ACS CAN serves on the policy committee of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, which brings together national patient advocacy, medical and scientific organizations to collaborate on research, policy, education and care to prevent cancer and improve outcomes for children and adolescents. 
  • ACS CAN is an active member of the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity, a national coalition that advocates within Congress and federal agencies for healthy eating, physical activity and obesity prevention. 

Special Thanks and Recognition

Donors

Jose Buenaga

Connie Lindsey

Michael Marquardt

Scarlott Mueller

Philip R. O'Brien and Holly Forrestal O'Brien

Bruce and Baila Waldholtz

Dana Bernson and Rob Ridlon

Anderson & Kreiger

Akin

Baker Donelson

Dentons

Eversheds Sutherland

K&L Gates

Hogan Lovells

Kilpatrick Townsend

Morrison & Foerster

Wilentz Goldman & Spitzer

Zuckerman Spaeder

Cornerstone Government Affairs

Amgen

AstraZeneca

Blueprint Medicines

Bristol Myers Squibb

EMD Serono

Genentech

Genmab

GRAIL

Johnson & Johnson

Lilly

Merck & Co

National Comprehensive Cancer Network

Novartis

Pfizer

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

Regeneron

alignco

BeOne

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

Exact Sciences

Exelixis

Fight Colorectal Cancer

Gilead Sciences

GlaxoSmithKline

HistoSonics

Ipsen Pharmaceuticals

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas

Moderna

Myriad Genetics

Novocure

Organon

Sanofi

Astellas

Bayer

Biotechnology Innovation Organization

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama

Castle Biosciences

CellCentric

Eisai

Foundation Medicine

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Freenome

Guardant Health

Lyda Hill Philanthropies

Roche Diagnostics

Takeda

UCLA Health System

AbbVie

AdvaMed

AdventHealth

Avoq

Baptist Health South Florida Miami Cancer Institute

Boca Raton Regional Hospital Lynn Cancer Institute

Canvas Foundation

CARTI

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Ergon, Inc.

Evergreen Social Impact

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Gainesville

Haselden Construction, LLC

KPMG

Maia Consulting

Maryland and District of Columbia Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc.

Massachusetts Biotechnology Council

Orlando Health Cancer Institute

Pannone, Lopes, Devereaux & O’Gara, LLC

Quest Diagnostics

Revolution Medicines

Servier Pharmaceuticals

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.

Texas Oncology

University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center

U.S. Pharmacopeia

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health – Seattle

Women & Infants Hospital

AIR Communities

Alaska Children’s Trust

Amica Mutual Insurance Company

Atrium Health

BD

Black Tongue Society

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Bonterra

Chevron Phillips Chemical

Cogent Biosciences

Cornerstone Government Affairs

Daiichi Sankyo

Dallwig BrothersBuilding Supply, Inc.

Delta Dental of Washington

Entrata

Evans & Associates Construction Co., Inc.

Feibelman Foundation

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund

GBU Financial Life

GCI Communication

Geisinger

Geneoscopy

Historic Clifton Mill

Horizon CME

IMA Financial Group, Inc.

King Street Properties

Kura Oncology

Landmark Medical Center

Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University

Liberty Bank

Mass General Brigham

Morgan Stanley

Mount Sinai Hospital

Murray & Stafford

Northwell Health

ONE Group Hospitality, Inc.

Polsinelli Law Firm

PwC

Relay Therapeutics

S32

Sandoz

Siemens Healthineers

Spencer F. & Cleone P. Eccles Family Foundation

Tammy Stratman Brown Charities

Third Rock Ventures, LLC

Total Quality Logistics

University of California Davis Health

VCU Massey Cancer Center at VCU Medical Center

Winning Connections, Inc.

Jose Buenaga

Vince Marchetta

Philip R. O’Brien & Holly Forrestal O’Brien

Susan Penfield

Mike & Cheryl Shult and family

Dr. Richard Deming

Dr. Douglas Kelsey Jr. & Karen Kelsey

Lisa Lacasse & Bruce Lesley

Maureen Mann

John J. Manna Jr.

Scarlott Mueller & James Mueller

Dr. Omar Rashid

Gwendolyn Spencer

Pam Traxel

Baila & Bruce Waldholtz

Ace American Insurance Co

Jerre Allyn

America First Credit Union

Dr. Daniel “Stony” Anderson

Mark Anderson

Aspen Grove Capital

Cynthia Ballentine

Dana Bernson & Rob Ridlon

Stacey Betler

Kathleen Bond

Marc Borkan

Boston Medical Center

Gary Cohen

P. Kay Coleman & Janice Montle

Karen Connor

Consigli Construction Co., Inc.

Don & Jo Cope

Bill Dahut

Linda DeGarmo

Cynthia Dickson

Barbara & George Diver

Benjamin Egan

Remington Eonta

Dr. Mark Fleury

Dr. Douglas Flora

Fly High Management, LLC

FRONTIER Development, LLC

Dr. Mark Goldberg & Dr. Ursula Kaiser

Dr. Paul Hull

J. Calnan & Associates, Inc.

Shane Jacobson

Linda & Mel Katz

Jeff Kean

Grace Kurak

Michael Kurak

Unice Lieberman

Jeannine Marks

Massachusetts Society of Clinical Oncologists

Charles Matthau

Keith McCormick

McKesson

Melissa McLain

Leatha Merculieff

Dr. Karen Moffitt

Jim Murphy

Danyelle Musselman

Barbara Nickles

Carrie Peters

Point32Health

Erin Polak

Alice Pomponio

Ujwala Deshmane Rajgopal, MD, FACS, FICS

Jose Ramos Jr.

Gary Reedy

Ropes & Gray, LLP

Dr. Christy Russell

Marcy Savage

Sharon Shriver

Daniel Smith

Spyder Moving & Storage

Carter Steger

Gary Streit

Matt Sturm

Allison Jones Thomson

Dr. Alan Thorson

Robin Toft

Alex Tolman

Julie Turner

Brian Tyler

Vibrant Health & Wellness Center

Yale New Haven Health

Raymond Young

AARP Utah

Acrisure, LLC

Paul Adam

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery PC/NYBRA

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

James Anderson

Mary Kate Anderson

Tina Atchison

Atrio Health Plans

Andy Aye

James Baker

BankNewport

Baptist Health

Alison Baranek

Joseph Barbetta

Carol Barton

Edward Bateh

Jessie Becker

Bedel Financial Consulting

Jocelyn Bernson

Dr. Michelle Blanco

Bloss Memorial Healthcare District

Eileen Boerger

Janice Boes

David Bonfilio

Bradley, Foster & Sargent, Inc.

Janet Bradshaw

Kathy Bridgeman

Gloria Brooks, MBA, RHIA

Marissa Brown

Bryant University

Jay Buckingham

Wes Buckner

Jacki Burleson

Nick Burns

Ali Buttar

Cathy Callaway

Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids

Capitol City Group Ltd

Eugene Carver

Cary Medical Center

Matthew Chardavoyne

Cherokee Nation

Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc.

Katie Clark

Hillary Clarke

Tom Cline

Brian Cohen

Jenna Cohen

Norbert Cointepoix

Cold Springs RV, LLC

CommScope Holding Company

The Communication Center

Community Health Choice

Sandy Compton

Lois Conn

Pat Cookson

Roger Crawford

Alissa Crispino

Laurisa Curran

Edward Curtis III

Alenore Cusick

Billie Darkenwald

Andrea Davis

Norman Davis

Josh Deitel

Denali Oncology Group

Gerald Donovan

Joyce Doss

Elisabeth Drabkin

Denis Ducey

Dodi Emmons

Jamie Escoto

Jeff Fehlis

David Fenolio

Adriana Fernandez Clark

Emily Fica

Grace Filer

Brian Fitzpatrick

Heather Ford

Dr. Gerald Frye

Stevan Gates

Margaret Giruc DDS, PC

Shelly Glenn

Jim Grace

Graham Presbyterian Church

Kay Graven

Kimberly Green

Janet Grove

Guidehouse

Greg Haldeman

Megan Haley

Karen Haley-Dungan

Harvard Medical School

Hayden Homes, LLC

Jane He

Jonathan Heinlen

Marjorie Heinrich

Dr. Enrique Hernandez

Jay Hilao

Dr. Lourdes Hilao

Lorna Hill

Ron Hoff

Eunice Hostetter

Gabriel Iacono

Illinois CancerCare P.C.

Ingalls Shipbuilding

Iylon Precision Oncology

Vicki Jones

Dr. Arif Kamal

David Kaufman

Jennifer Keegan

Keesler Federal Credit Union

Cynthia Kellogg

Keudell Morrison Wealth Management, LLC

Kinghorn Law, LLC

Kristopher Kipp

Karen Klopp

Jim Knox

Toni Kratzer

Aaron Kusano, MD

Barbara Lawson

Lenartz Consulting, LLC

John Lewis

Josh Lindgren

Kimberly Lindgren

Thomas Long

Dr. Donna Lundy

M + R Strategic Services, Inc.

M Booth Health

Sara Mannetter

Dr. Ross Marchetta II

Jeff Martin

Esther Matassarin-Jacobs

Madison McCarty

McDermott, Quilty & Miller, LLP

Sharon McHale

Ruarai McKenna

Bryan McLaughlin

Kendra McLaughlin

Memorial Hermann HealthSystem

Andrew Merken

Moffitt Cancer Center

Natalie Monroe

Moonfall Theatre

Bonny Morris

Jim Murray

Julie Murray

Jennifer Newman

Pam Niese

Dr. Carol Nishikubo

NRG Energy, Inc.

Rebecca Oechsner

Bill Orcutt

Oregon Oncology Specialists

Organogenesis

Kathy Ottele

Pampered Chef

Deborah Pardue

Pearlman Meekin & Co. of Compass

Perry Undem, LLC

Sarka Petrbokova

Cynthia Pond

Maggie Powell

Professional Case Management

Barbara Prusak

Steven Prusak

PSA Airlines, Inc.

Public Opinion Strategies, LLC

Rapides Regional Medical Center

Red Threads, LLC

Rhode Island Medical Imaging, Inc.

RI Life Science Hub

Katie Riley

Richard Riley

The River Church, Inc.

Robert Half, Inc.

Ana Rocha

Johanna Rochat

Rockland Trust Company

Michael Rogers

Brandon Rosely

Angela Sailor

Salon Karen, Inc.

Allie Schaefer

Corey Schneider

Carol Schroeder

Joel Scott

Tara Scott

Evan Segal

ServiceNow, Inc.

Setter, Roche, Smith & Shellenberger, LLP

Dr. Ned Sharpless

Wendi Silverberg

Sioux Falls Canaries Baseball

Julie Skelton

Kirsten Sloan

Jason Smith

Social Investments

Richard Soll

Paul Stadfeld

Catherine Standiford

State Farm

Paul Steinke

Stephen A. Comunale Jr. Family Cancer Foundation

Stowe & Degon, LLC

Kathleen Sullivan

Raymond Sullivan

Summit Homes Ohio, LLC

Jennifer Swartz

Mustafa Tameez

Tarplin, Downs & Young

Tasteful Thoughts, LLC

Yves Tessier

Barbie Todd

Caroline Torres Maldonado

Jennifer True

True Guarnieri Ayer, LLP

UBS Business Solutions US, LLC

UF Health Shands

Utah Cancer Specialists

Valero Energy Corporation

Veterans of Foreign Wars of Ohio Charities

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3522

David Waldman

The Washington Trust Company

Lauren Weissman

Margaret Wessel

Shirley West

Western Farmers Electric Cooperative

Tom Wiedemann

Carolyn Williams-Goldman

Matt Wilson

Andrew Wingard

Dr. Karen Winkfield

Brant Woodward

Matthew Wracher

WVP Health Authority

Christine Yoder

Bethany Zell

Zeta Tau Alpha Boise State

Naomi Adler

Alaska Hospital & Healthcare Association

Alaine Anderson

Kaleo Angilau

Apollo Corp, Inc.

Nina Ariani

Lani Atkins

Audi Bedford

Kristi Auld

Fowobi Badejoh

Anita Bales

BancFirst

Bank of America Corporation

Janet Barker

Marcus Barlow

Christophe Baron

Phyllis Baum

Marci Baxter

Marissa Beasley

Jose Behar

Jeffrey Bennett

Denise Berard

Desiree Berenguer Carton

Christine Bernot

Bernstein Shur

Kathy Bingham

Bio Nebraska

Scott Birkhead

Joe Blanda

Andrew Boggini

Virginia Borges

Sarah Brandenberg

Lucinda Brannon Bazile

Kristy Bratten

Theresa Brilli

Veronica Brooks

Patrick Burns

Tricia Buskirk

Byers, Minton & Associates

Myung Byun

Sylver Calfo

Elizabeth Carde

Matt Carle

Gayle Carlson

Jill Carr

Jodi Carr

Kay Carrillo

Dr. Constance Carroll

Sandi Cassese

Mirelis Castilla

Chela’s Beer Garden, LLC

Jennifer Chikoyak

Darrel Choat

Michelle Conlon

Cathy Connor

Consumers National Bank

Patrick Corea

John Costa

Melissa Cox

Terry Craig

Dawn Crawford

Gail Crawford

Credit Union West

Hugh Cunningham

Rodger Currie

Lamarr Daniels

Linda Daschle

Bryan Davis

Jocelyn De Guia

Jovita De Guia

Victoria De La Huerga

Raul De La Torre

Sam DeAlmeida

Bart DeGregorio

Tamara Delph

Glenn DeSimone

Shelly DeZevallos

Connor Donahue

Thomas Donnelly Jr.

Leo Doyle

David Drabkin

Kim Drucker

Rebecca Duerre

Kari Dukai

Diana Dunkley

Warren Dunning

Ellen Elam

Hannah Eldredge

Vivienne Elliott

Don Enslow

J.P. Entrocassi

Damian Eonta

Jocelyn Espinoza

Esterline & Sons Manufacturing

Andrea Farahmand

Rhonda Ferrell

Gerry Fleisher

Mindy Flinn

Tom Flookes Jr.

David Ford

Maryjo Foseid

John Fowler

Diane Fraser

Keaton Gallagher

Michael Galles

Lori Garcia

Cheryl Gardner

Natasha Garrett

Crystal Garrick

Gates Foundation

Hilary Gee Goeckner

Jennifer Gerrits

Tyler Gilbert

Polly Gleichenhaus

David Glidden

Adela Gonzalez

Ever Gonzlez

Gordon Flesch Company, Inc.

Dr. Kathleen Goss

Naomi Gould

Michael Grady

Green Acres Landscape

John Greene

Jennifer Greenwald

Dr. Carmen Guerra

Holly Haga

Justin Hage

Kari Hampton

Jung Han

Rich Han

Myron Hardiman

Alexander Harding

Jennifer He

Health Services, Inc.

Heartland Bank and Trust Company

Carmon Hicks

Richard Hirko Jr.

Karen Hirschmann

Scott Holley

Holloway Updike & Bellen Engineering

Jennifer Holter-Chakrabarty, MD

Diana Hoover-Sulewski

Daniel Hopgood

Dana Hopkins

Bonnie Horstmann

Jacqueline Hoskins

Elizabeth Hottensen

Tony Howard

Timothy Hower

Huggins Insurance Services, Inc.

Nancy Humlicek

Fred Hussey

Tammy Hutchinson

Marcia Inman

Kendall Isenbarger

Lauren Izzo

Beth Johnson

Daniel Johnson

Mary Catherine Johnson

Miranda Johnson

Neil Jolly, MD

Barbara Jones

Terry Jones

Nancy Juliano

Jay Kalisky

Kay Kamm

Karen Kay

Patricia Kellerhouse

Adam Kemp

Kenansville Lions Club

Robert Kenney

John Killpack

Donna Kimberling

Thomas King

Stephen Klaber

Ian Kleckner

Eleanor Koeppel

Dr. Leslie Kohman

Kennedy Korpi

Kelly Kramer

Dr. Amit Kumar

Robert Kung

Peggy Laborde

Deborah Laclair

Louis LaGrande

Laura LaRose

Margaret Lau

Paige Laughlin

Michelle Lawrence

Vanessa Linegar

Hollis Linginfelter

Nancy Lugn

Brian Lynch

Jaclyn Madden

Dr. Rohan Maniar

Staci Mannion

Janet Marcantonio

Nicholas Marconi

Joanne Martino

Ryan Matej

Eileen McCabe

Traci McCausland

Misty McGillem

Ebony McKinley

Stephen McKinnon

Patrick McLean

Terrie McNally

Travis McNiven

Ted McQuade

Megan McVeety

Leticia Mederos

Marcella Meek

Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Randy Meyers

Miami Lakes Auto Mall

Paul Michaels

Larry Middle

Mark Miller

Marvin Miller

Gia Moody

Deborah Morris

Cheri Morrison

Jan Mount

Robert Muller

Michael Myers Jr.

Andrew Nadauld

Todd Nall

Jessica Nash

Henry Nassau

Joe Naylor

Elizabeth Nelson

Paul Neumann

Jamie Nielsen

Linda Niggli

Craig Norman

Randy Nornes

Northeast Shared Services

Gary Offerdahl

Irene Oh

Ohio Life Sciences

Ohio Masonic Home and Affiliated Organizations

Philip O’Neill

Sophia Palenberg

Dr. Michael Pellini

Michelle Pence

Lindsay Penn

Dr. Steven Perlman

Michael Peters

Natasha Petrovic

Cindie Pierce

Karol Plawsky

Tami Portela

Robert Prieto

Leah Pump

Thomas Pursel

Quality Home Health and Hospice

Brent Raap

Jason Ramos

Brad Rateike

Cory Recknor

Kael Reicin

Reser’s Cares

Sharon Reynosa

Rieth-Riley Construction Co., Inc.

Amanda Rigby

Will Ris

Dr. Carolann Risley

Mike Ritter

Jonathan Robinson

Ignacio Rosenberg

Dr. Allison Rossett

Lindy Roth

Marilyn Rouvelas

Allison Rubin

Jianna Ruggiero

Jean Ryan

Pat Salas

Salem Clinic PC

Salem Gastroenterology Consultants PC

Gabriella Sandoval

Elizabeth Schaefer

Beth Schartner

Jilliane Schroeder

Hans Schultz

Deb Seng

Sevenson Environmental Services, Inc.

Shottenkirk Hyundai Granbury

Shuman Rigging & Transport, LLC

Peggy Silbert

Rachel Simpson

Singing River Health System Foundation

The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

David Smalling

Darlene Smith

Ryan Smith

Matthew Sommers

Karin Sonkens

Nancy Sonkens

Betty Sparrow

Dr. Annie Spell

Spradlin Bros. Welding Co.

Gregory Stamm

Jennifer Stanford

Stephen Stessman

Mark Stocker

Silvia Strauss

Jane Streets

Dr. Liz Sutphen

Daryl Taylor

Dr. Eric Taylor

Rebecca Thomas

Daniel Tobin

Rose Tom

Dorothy Treffert

Bryan Turner

Union Grove Baptist Church

Valley Hospital

Kelly Vance

Melody Vandivere

Jennifer Volcko

Lisa Vorse

Jane Vulfs

Kitti Walkup-Birkhead

Christine Walton

Jim Weiss

Kate Weissman

Mary Wellinghorst

Roger Welsh

Nan Whitmore

Austin Wickham

Jason Williams

Susan Brock Williams

Alexander Wilson

Woeber Mustard Co.

Dean Woodward

Lindsey Wyckoff

X Bar

Emily Abney

Dr. Moustapha Abousamra

Matthew Adams

Adams Company, Inc.

Laverne Aldebes

Susan Alexander

The Hon. Noell Allen

Kyle Amey

Dr. Cheasty Anderson

Kelley Anderson

Margaret Anderson

Cindy Archer-Burton

Katherine Ashbrook

Bojana Askovich

Joanne Augustine

Brooke Austin

Ariel Avilion

Alexandra Babyak

Timothy Baechle

Trent Baggett

John Bailey

Banner Bank

Sherry Barrie

Jacqueline Beale

Barbara Behal

Tracey Belcher

Jessica Bensenhaver

Dr. Edward Benz Jr.

Betty Berger

Timothy Bergreen

Susan Bernard

Stacey Bernstein

Sandeep Bhatia

Michele Bloch

Nicole Bodnar

Deborah Bond

Amy Boortz

Patti Bossert

Richard Bounce

Mikala Bousquet

Michael Bovenzi

Gretchen Brandenburg

Jennifer Brase

Anthony Brooks

Geraldine Brooks

Tol Broome

Ashley Brown

Douglas Brown

Kendalle Brown

Dr. Kelly Buettner-Schmidt

Wendi Bundy

John Buntsma

Bridget Burns

Christian Burton

Grant Cale

Clay Callander

Craig Callen

Tanner Cameron

Gabriel Camps

Erica Carpenter

Pearl Carter

Marco Carvalho

Carlos Cata

Luke Cavener

John Chadam

Madhavi Challagulla

Dr. Stephanie Chapelliquen

Tess Chawi

Sharon Chicano

Chicken N Pickle – Henderson, Nevada

Carly Clukey

Carolyn Coatoam

Kaylyn Collier

Damien Coltey

Patrick Comfort

Renee Connolly

Shannon Conrad

Kyle Conroy

Cliff Cook

Linda Cookingham

Richard Cooper

Dr. Carol Coram

Gary Cornelius

Carey Cossaboom

Silliam Costin Jr.

David Coughlin

Miles Cowdry

Martha Cox

Crafted RVA, LLC

Dr. Richard Crepage

Steve Crider

Maria Cristy

William Cunningham

Kenzie Dahnert

Dr. Elvan Daniels

Angel Davis

Jack Day

Charlotte De Brabandt

Rex De Guia

Xavier DeCaire

Kelli DeJong

Abby DeLamotte

Richard DeLong

Tom Dempsey

Tressa Diaz, PhD

Michael Dibala

Nora Disis

Walter Ditlefsen

DLSMA Enterprises, LLC

Catherine D’Mello

Katie Doble

Neil Dorsey

Justin Doucet

Jerry Douglas

Lori Drew

Jill Drum Strouth

Amanda Dudley

Benjamin Dunkley

Patricia Dunn

Dr. Joel Dunnington

Louise Dussault

Roland Dutton

Marcia Earle

Early Falsom Properties

Anita Eerdmans

Marianne Ehemann

Angela Elia

April Emerson

Michelle Emura

Sarah Esterline Sampson

Caren Ewing

Michael Exl

Mike Eyerly

Anne Ezell

Karrie Fairbrother

James Fallon

Jim Fanning

Farmers State Bank

Ermal Faulkner

Skip Feeney

James Ferguson

Leslie Ferreira

Tara Fisher

Roger Flack

Kathy Flaherty

Jeff Flamm

Karen Ford

Phillip Ford

Robert Forsland

Annalee Foster

Scott Fox

John Frahm

Penny Fraley

David Frockt

Richard Froom

Karen Fude

James Fullerton

Kelly Fullerton

Brian Gaines

Nicole Ganem

Michael Gargano

Griselda Garibay

Maria-Luisa Gay

Mark Gay

The GG Mansion & Inn

Ashley Gibson

Emily Gibson

Brennan Gilbert

Russell Gillard

Dr. Gary Gilmore

Cynthia Ginestra

Michael Glaspie

Iris Gleason

Mark Goetzman

Wendy Gold

Brian Goldstein

Chelsea Gonzales

Alma Gonzalez

Maria Gonzalez Albuixech

Melissa Goss

Mindy Grabau

Kim Gratzer

Tim Gratzer

Thurston Gray

Blakeley Griffith

Kay Griffith

Rob Grilley

Andrea Guidry

Erin Haggerty

Ruthann Haider

Dawn Hallman

Deidra Hamilton

Cordell Hammond

Deborah Hansen

Madeline Harbour

Trista Hargrove

Laura Harper

Patricia Hartman

Hats By Parker Thomas

Arnie Havens

Onawa Haynes

Ruth Heineman

Karen Hemeon

Deanna Henkle

Terry Hennen

Susan Henry

Steven Hernandez

Byron Herrick

Mary Hess

Virginia Hintermeister

Andy Hite

Allison Holgate

Dani Hornstein

Jane Hottensen

Heather Houston

Jeffrey Huang

Kathleen Hughes

Lindsey Hughes

William Hull

David Hunt

Gary Huynh

Leigh Huynh

Marc Hymovitz

Denise Hynes

Jared Imbler

Deborah Jacobson

Wynn Janowitz

Christopher Jeffrey

Andy Jepson

Courtnay Johnson

Jane Johnson

Abby Jones

Cynthia Jones

Tara Jones

Dr. Madeleine Jordache

Mary Margaret Judy

Sandra Kaczur

Nick Kallergis Jr.

Margaret Kallunki

Emily Kalmer

Shiloh Kantz

Heather Kauffman

Douglas Kellogg

Emily Kelly

Mary Kemp

Marie Kennedy

Mareill Kiernan

Riguey King

Dr. Mitchell Klein

Linda Klosterman

Kaitlyn Koch

Valerie Koch

Kristian Koehler

Dee Koehnke

Jaeleen Kookesh

Sarah Kothe

Kendell Kraft

Karl Kramer

Emily Krupp

Melissa Kultgen

Kim Kushner

Brian Kyle

Christina Lambert

Jarrod Langhans

Michael Larche Sr.

Robin Lawless

Cristen Lawton

Cynthia Le Blanc

Bradley Lefaive

Beth Lewis

Ernest Lewis

Duane Lien

Clifford Liles

Ian Lock

Thomas Loftis

Naveen Lokesh

Reid London

Jennifer Lopatin

Mark Lopatin

Katharine Losavio

William Loui, MD, FACP

Bo Lu

Patricia Luber

Lewisa Lucero

Caitlin Lynch

Spencer Lyons

Jenna Macaulay

Jeffrey Mackeigan

Mary-Ellen Macksoud

Lisa Madigan

Jodi Magera

Jennifer Maggiore

Gena Maguire

Joseph Mahaney

Dr. Sam Makhoul

Karen Malcolm

Eimer Maldonado

Olivia Mannion

Marianne’s Solmate Socks

Andrea Marks

Bria Martin

Amy Martinez

Paige Martinez

Uri Martos

Joseph Mattingly

Bonnie May

Brenda McCain

Leah McCleary

Terri McClements

Paul McCoy

Marcia McCulley

Kelly McGonagil

Amy McGuire

Laura McIntosh

Bradley McKay

Dolores McKinney

Brett McLaren

Kerri Medeiros

Medtronic, Inc.

Randall Melton

Varsha Menon

Ashley Merritt

Mike Metzger

Jim Midtlien

Joan Miller

Mark Miller

Dave Mittan

Katherine Mobley

Philip Moilanen

Jean Monfort

Kathy Moore

Moore Group of Michigan, Inc.

Suhaill Morales

Katie Moreno

Cheryl Morrison

Amanda Mount

Max Mowry

Catherine Mueller

MWSLK Enterprises, LLC

Melanie Nakagawa

Mike Nassar

Dr. Laura Nathan

The Natural Pet Enrichment Center

Emily Naunheim

Richard Navarro

Charlotte Neale

Dr. Richard Nedelman

Nancy Neel

Brenda Nevidjon

Tan Nguyen

Julie Nickson

Stacey Noonan

Norwood Investments, LLC

Linda Nussbaum

Dr. Faith Nyong

Misty Oblak

Madeline Obler

Peter O’Connor

Kelly Ogurek

Ciaran O’Loughlin

Carrie Olson

Melissa Olson

Godwin Onukaogu

Rai Oshima

Hunter Otterson

Karel Oxley

Lakedra Pam

Paramount Restoration, LLC

Ron Pardo

Michelle Parrish

Kevin Pastoor

Brett Paulsrud

Greg Pemberton

Lisa Perlman

David Persons

Lynne Peters

Mary Petrichenko

Maddison Petrow

Dr. Marcus Plescia

PNC Foundation

Lynn Poferl

Margaret Polston

Haskell “Danny” Portee

Nicole Poulos

Shannon Powell

Joytika Prasad

Prime Business Advantage, Inc.

Tyler Prince

Cindy Pritchard

Pro Enterprises, LLC

Skye Proctor

Laurel Przybylski

Nickolas Radishofski

Wendell Rayburn Jr.

Real Chemistry, Inc.

Ronald Remsen

Rick Rhodes

Brie Ricciardi

Matthew Rice

Carol Ridlon

Cynthia Rivera

David Roberts

Joe Rock

Lawrence Rock

Mario Rodrigues

Dr. Estelamari Rodriguez

Donna Rogers

Scott Rollin

Emily Rollins

Carley Ross

Jenell Ross

Rosalind Ross

Hillary Rossi

Mary Rouvelas

Phil Rubin

Jordan Ruda

Frances Ruley

Robert Rush

Teresa Rutherford

Hassan Salem

Salesforce, Inc.

Dr. Linda Salinas

Sayeed Sanaullah

Anthony Sandusky

Lisa Sarbach

Dr. Carmen Sato-Bigbee

Jennifer Savard

Jeffrey Saxe

Christine Schaub

Elizabeth Schiff

Dr. John Schmitt

Kelli Schnieder-Williams

Shirley Schoeler

Danielle Scholz

Steven Schubert

Richard Schulherr

Paula Scoop

Tia Scott

Corey Seaman

Seaman-Pollard Family Restaurant, Inc.

William Sedoff

Christina Seeley

Julia Seremba

George Severson

Davang Shah

Sandra Shaw

Tracy Shaw

William Sherman

Steve Short

Roger Shubert

Rose Shulgay

Melanie Silvestri

Mike Simonton

Marlene Sincaglia

Mark Smith

Robert Smitson, MD

Robert Soles

The Springfield Cemetery Association

Dr. Walter Stadler

Maria Stanley

Peter Steele

Ken Stoll

Colson Stout

Ann Strohl

Steven Stuckey

Paula Sullivan

Alexander Sutton

Anthony Suy

Ken Svendsen

Paul Sylling

Michelle Szoke

Judy Szymczak

Timshel Tarbet

Tely’s Chinese Restaurant

Brian Tenney

Alisha Thoburn

Dennis Thomann

Kristin Thomas

Rebecca Thomas

Heather Thompson

Tina Thompson

Alissa Thomson

Barnes Thornburg

Dave Thornton

Amber Tierce

Joshua Todd

Christopher Tokin, MD, FACP

John Tramontin

Andrew Tran

Judy Tutela

Cynthia Vander Poel

Chris Vandivere

Heidi Varner

Nandana Velayudhan

Juan Villalobos

Pierre Vogelbacher

Michael Vrchota

Annette Vrolyk

Jessica Wagner

Stephanie Walkup-Birkhead

Becki Ward

Monicia Ware

Watkins Construction and Roofing

Ann Watts

Dr. Michael Weishaus

Cassandra Welch

Ronald Welch

Esperansa Wells

Deborah Werner

Karen Wernli

West USA Realty (Gilbert Office)

Michael Whouley

Betty Wickline

Terra Willhoit

Candy Williams

Emily Williams

James Williams Jr.

Katherine Wilson

Vanessa Windham

Robert Wohlgemuth

Brian Wolf

Barbara Wood

Stephen Woodhead

Ann Woods

Chase Wright

Julie Wrigley

John Yadlosky

Garrett Yau

Margaret Yuen

Manuela Zigarlick

Brad Ziker

Zinpro Corporation

Special Thanks and Recognition

The following individuals and organizations also played an important role in making 2025 a highly successful year for ACS CAN. We extend our heartfelt thanks to those not specifically named, as this list is not exhaustive, and to the colleagues we said goodbye to in 2025. Please know that your contributions were valued and truly appreciated.

State Lead Ambassadors 

Ambassador Constituent Teams 

National Ambassador Team 

ACS CAN Team Members

American Cancer Society Team Members 

ACS CAN Board of Directors 

The House Cancer Caucus 

The Senate Cancer Coalition 

ACSí Se Puede Hispanic/Latino Advocacy Alliance

The Asian American & Pacific Islander Volunteer Caucus

The Black Volunteer Caucus

The LGBTQ+ & Allies Engagement Group

The ACS CAN Young Leaders Caucus

The Indigenous Volunteer Voices

ACS CAN’s efforts are supported by the work of attorneys who donate their time, services and specialized expertise as part of the Judicial Advocacy Initiative (JAI) to help advance our mission. Thank you to these individuals.

Allison Cohen
Andrew Goldfarb
Andrew Pincus
Ashley Edmonds
Beth Petronio
William Schultz
Brian Hopkins
Bruce Fried
Caroline Kessler
Caroline Wolverton
Christopher Janney
Christina Marshall
Cybil Roehrenbeck
John Longstreth
Joseph Palmore
Joseph Carlo
Lindsay Kaplan
Emanuel Rouvelas
Melissa Allison
Peggy Dotzel
Scott Lewis
Seth Lloyd
Thomas Curvin
William O'Brien
Neeki Memarzadeh

2025 Advocacy Award Recipients

ACS CAN recognizes exceptional volunteers, team members and elected officials throughout our annual Leadership Summit & Lobby Day.

The National Distinguished Advocacy Award (NDAA), which is ACS CAN’s most prestigious advocacy honor, is awarded to public officials for leadership in the mission to end cancer as a public health problem. The 2025 NDAA recipients were:

  • Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO)

  • Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) 

Volunteer Award for Excellence in Advocacy (VAEA)*

Bernie Jackvony, Rhode Island

State Lead Ambassador (SLA) of the Year

Vince Marchetta, Ohio

Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT) Lead of the Year

Jung A Han, Massachusetts 

Beth Parker, Washington

Mary Kost, Indiana

Young Leader Award

Dr. Marina Watanabe, Massachusetts  

State Advocacy Team of the Year

Indiana

*The Volunteer Award for Excellence in Advocacy, ACS CAN’s highest honor for volunteers, is presented annually to exemplary volunteers in recognition of outstanding leadership and continuous service in the area of advocacy and public policy. 

ACS Partner of the Year: 

Krista Kirksey Thomas, Associate Director, Community Partnerships

Field Government Relations Professional of the Year: 

Susan Harbin, ACS CAN Senior Director for Government Relations, Florida

Field Grassroots Professional of the Year: 

Tim Freeman, ACS CAN Senior Grassroots Manager, Missouri

National Professional of the Year: 

Leslie Ferreira, ACS CAN Director, Grassroots Alliances – Health Equity 

Dave Woodmansee Award for Excellence* 

Mark Anderson, ACS CAN Vice President, Regional Advocacy

*In honor of longtime ACS CAN State and Local Campaigns Director David Woodmansee, who passed away in 2019, this award is presented to a team member who has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in the areas of advocacy and public policy.  

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