Stacy Jacobson
Senior Regional Media Advocacy Manager
Cancer Action Day Puts Alabama Research on Display, Urges Continued Investment
March 24, 2026
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – In a show of unity among scientists across Alabama, more than 50 cancer researchers from multiple universities will gather for a symposium at the State House in Montgomery on Tuesday, March 31. They will include students, staff and professors from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama State University, Auburn University and the University of Alabama. Their research presentations will celebrate Alabama’s cutting-edge advances in the fight to end cancer and demonstrate the importance of research funding. They will be joined by cancer patients and survivors.
By investing in the research of today, Alabama can help prevent, detect and treat cancer in the future, saving lives and creating countless moments for patients and their loved ones. State and federal funding for research also supports thousands of jobs and nearly $1 billion of economic activity in Alabama.
Those available for interviews will include:
- Dr. Ankur Saxena, staff scientist Lynne Nacke, staff researcher Jackie Brunson and undergraduate student Hayleigh Smith of the Saxena Lab at UAB
- Dr. Payal Agarwal of the Agarwal Cancer Immunotherapy Research Laboratory at Auburn University
- Dr. Manoj Mishra and graduate student Jessica Barnes of the ASU Cancer Research Center at Alabama State University
- Gary Cornelius, Cancer Survivor from Cullman
Cancer Action Day is an annual event hosted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) where volunteers, survivors, and caregivers meet with state lawmakers to advocate for evidence-based policies that reduce the cancer burden.
WHO: Researchers from UAB, Auburn, Alabama State & Univ. of Alabama
Cancer patients and survivors
WHAT: Alabama Cancer Action Day
WHERE: Alabama State House, Room #200, 11 South Union Street Montgomery, AL
WHEN: Tuesday, March 31, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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