Barbara Effman Receives National Volunteer Award for Commitment to Cancer Advocacy

SUNRISE, FL – September 14, 2020 – Yesterday, local resident Barbara Effman was awarded Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT!) Lead of the Year by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) for her exceptional commitment to advocacy work and making cancer a national priority.

This annual award is given to a lead congressional district volunteer who has demonstrated remarkable leadership advocating for ACS CAN’s mission priority areas of cancer-related public policy.

“Barbara is a tireless advocate who speaks out on behalf of all those fighting cancer, in Florida and across the country,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “Her outstanding efforts are reflected in her ability to organize and mobilize a robust team of local volunteers to champion strong and effective public policy proven to end suffering and death from cancer.”

Barbara leads the Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT!) in Congressional District 23 for ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. As the ACT! Lead, Barbara serves as the primary volunteer contact with District 23 lawmakers, and actively recruits and manages other local volunteers to lead advocacy and fundraising efforts. Additionally, she serves as the Advocacy Chair of the Broward Volunteer Leadership Board, the co-chair of the South Florida Planning Committee Meeting and on the ACS CAN Florida Committee on Policy and Strategy.

“Barbara exemplifies what it means to be a fully integrated volunteer who spends countless hours forwarding our mission,” shared Grassroots Manager Natalie Kliné. “From helping with Relay for Life and Making Strides in her community to holding strong relationships with Florida lawmakers as a result of speaking out for cancer patients and their families, I can’t think of anyone more deserving of ACS CAN’s ACT Lead of the Year Award.”

An outstanding individual and committed volunteer for over 35 years, Barbara’s hard work is evident in many Florida and national successes to secure cancer-fighting policies. Most notably, Barbara fought feverously over a harmful proposal in 2018 that would have diverted money from Florida’s impactful Tobacco Prevention and Protection Program. Her dedication and influence shone bright when she changed the tide of a key debate – flipping the sentiment among lawmakers.

The award was presented on Sept. 13 as part of the annual ACS CAN Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Nearly 700 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones will meet virtually with their elected officials on Sept. 15 to urge them to make cancer a national priority.

###

About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.