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Over 750 advocates bring the fight against cancer to the nation's capital
Next week, over 750 cancer advocates will gather in Washington, D.C. to participate in ACS CAN’s annual Leadership Summit & Lobby Day (LS&LD), a 3-day event where volunteers meet with their members of Congress to advocate for crucial cancer issues. The event is also an all-encompassing opportunity for volunteers to learn, share and grow together as they help make cancer a national priority.
On Sunday, ACS CAN will announce the winners of the National Advocacy Leadership Awards. These award winners are volunteers and staff who have made tremendous impact in support of the American Cancer Society and ACS CAN’s shared mission to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
Monday is the Leadership Summit, where volunteers grow their advocacy skills through informational sessions with subject matter experts to understand how public policies impact the cancer burden in their communities, as well as smaller breakout sessions based on their interests—from sharpening their storytelling skills to learning about new and burgeoning issues in the cancer space. To prepare for their lawmaker meetings, volunteers practice leading Hill meetings, coached by ACS CAN, on the meeting format and legislative asks.
The main event, Lobby Day on Tuesday, is a sight to behold. All the volunteers wear their iconic ACS CAN blue shirts (pictured here). So iconic that lawmakers and their staff recognize the sea of blue shirts year after year. Imagine it—hundreds of cancer advocates arriving on Capitol Hill, ready to tell their lawmakers about their personal connection to cancer and why they’re advocating for policies that will improve the lives of cancer patients and their families. It’s something that never fails to inspire.
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Support the highest possible funding increases for cancer research and prevention programs in the FY27 funding bill. ACS CAN requests:
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$51.3 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including $7.99 billion for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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$1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).
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$482.9 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) cancer programs, including $230 million for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) and $310 million for the Office on Smoking and Health.
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Cosponsor the Clinical Trial Modernization Act.
- A bipartisan bill that will make it easier for patients to participate in cutting-edge clinical trials and enhance US innovation in research.
This year is particularly special, as on September 10, ACS CAN will be celebrating its 25th anniversary.
“We take pride in the fact that over the past 25 years, ACS CAN has built the nation's largest and most influential cancer advocacy movement, mobilizing the voices of people impacted by cancer into public policy victories while building powerful momentum for the work still ahead,” says Lisa Lacasse, ACS CAN President. “This legacy has impacted millions across the country as ACS CAN continues to successfully enact and defend cancer-fighting public policy.”
Lobby Day concludes with the Lights of Hope ceremony on Tuesday evening: 10,000 lights at Constitution Gardens to honor those who have been touched by cancer and remember those we’ve lost. Over 90,000 lights will be displayed across the country through local displays. You can see a culmination of last year’s Lights of Hope Across America to see the nationwide impact of volunteers’ fundraising. 
On Wednesday, volunteers debrief about their meetings on Capitol Hill, recognize the work of elected officials in our fight, and highlight the donors and fundraisers who help fuel our mission. The advocates will also have a final opportunity to learn in an additional breakout session. They leave D.C. that afternoon knowing they’ve moved the needle in the fight against cancer, not only through their advocacy, but by learning to become stronger advocates and connecting in deep and meaningful ways.
Although Leadership Summit & Lobby Day is an in-person event, there are also opportunities to participate from home! Please take an advocacy action for each of ACS CAN’s legislative asks to Congress. You can also follow along on social media with the hashtags #CancerLobbyDay and #LightsOfHope, and via the live social media wall. Your participation can help make this week even more impactful in the fight against cancer.
