Press Room

Cancer patients, survivors and advocates are marking the American Cancer Society's 49th annual Great American Smokeout by calling on elected officials across Arizona to do more to reduce tobacco use.

Tuesday, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) staged a digital takeover nationwide, including here in Arizona, calling on Congress to protect Medicaid. The House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee continued to discuss proposed changes, which include deep cuts to the program.  In response, ACS CAN volunteers, including cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers took to social media to show lawmakers, specifically Rep. Juan Ciscomani, how detrimental cuts would be to Arizonans. The social media Day of Action coincided with the nationwide launch of a new ad series, “Cuts Have Consequences.” The ad makes clear that slashing Medicaid will shorten cancer patients’ lives, and advocates in Arizona won’t stand for it.

Advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) join Arizonans in mourning the loss of Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who died Thursday after complications from battling lung cancer. 

During his more than two decades of serving in Congress, Rep. Grijalva championed efforts to improve public health by advocating for the development of new health care clinics in Southern Arizona, as well as supporting efforts to increase access to care by co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation to aid in the fight against cancer. 

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) announces two new members to the Board of Directors for 2025.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) announces two new members, including Phoenix media professional Vanessa Ramirez, to its Board of Directors. The Board provides leadership and guidance for ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, which supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

Volunteer advocates from across Arizona, including cancer survivors, patients and caregivers, rallied at the state Capitol on Thursday for ‘Cancer Action Day,’ an event hosted annually by the the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Advocates met with lawmakers and urged them to support policies that increase access to quality health care and prevent tobacco use. 

Advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) join Arizonans in mourning the loss of Dr. Leland L. Fairbanks, MD, a pioneer in Arizona’s tobacco control movement and President Emeritus of Arizonans Concerned About Smoking (ACAS).  He passed away late Tuesday night at age 94. 

Cancer survivors, patients, and caregivers gathered in Phoenix to honor Arizonans affected by the disease, Tuesday evening. The event, hosted at Dignity Health Cancer Institute at St. Joseph’s, was organized by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) as part of Lights of Hope Across America, the organization’s signature fundraiser aimed at strengthening the mission of reducing the cancer burden for everyone. The display included dozens of lit bags, each representing an Arizonan touched by the disease. 

A recent poll by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) shows 8 in 10 or 82% of voters in Arizona view a candidate’s position on access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage as a vote-determining factor.

The poll findings showed a majority of voters feel the health care system is not meeting the needs of most of the state’s residents. Conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research, this poll is a part of ACS CAN’s national Cancer Votes campaign—the country’s leading voter education program for cancer-related issues and policies.

Advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) commend Governor Katie Hobbs for supporting the newly unveiled five-year Arizona Cancer Control Plan. The plan includes policy provisions that pursue additional resources for cancer patient navigation and cancer screenings as well as reinstating the historical leadership for the state in tobacco control policies.