Wisconsinites Honor Lives Impacted by Cancer with Hopeful, Powerful Display at Wisconsin State Capitol

Madison, WI – Approximately 500 lit bags decorated with the names of those who’ve fought cancer were displayed today at the Wisconsin State Capitol to send a powerful message of hope.  

As a result of the pandemic, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers did not gather for the annual Lights of Hope ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Instead, Wisconsin advocates in Madison celebrated the event’s 10th year with the State Capitol display as part of a larger virtual event in all 50 states.

“Cancer patients, their families and their caregivers need to know we’re still here for them, advocating for critical research funds and access to health care,” said Greta Johnson, ACS CAN Wisconsin Grassroots Manager. “This is a visible way to raise awareness for cancer including among our lawmakers, who have the power to enact policies that help prevent and treat this disease,” she added.

Photos and videos of the event at the capitol were shared on Facebook for the community to participate in lieu of being able to gather together in person. Today’s event is part of a national, virtual Lights of Hope Across America event taking place Saturday, 3pm CT. During the virtual event, which can be viewed at fightcancer.org/lights volunteers across the country will light nearly 45,000 Lights of Hope bags at the same time to celebrate the progress we’ve made in the fight against cancer, honor those who have been touched by this disease and remember the loved ones we’ve lost to it.

The Lights of Hope Across America event raised funds so ACS CAN may continue its lifesaving work advocating for everyone affected by cancer, including the estimated 35,280 Wisconsinites who will receive a cancer diagnosis this year. ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, works with lawmakers to pass policies that help prevent cancer and ensure those who are diagnosed with the disease have access to the care they need, as well as make cancer research funding a top priority at the state and federal level.