Press Room

MADISON, WI – Cancer patients and survivors marked the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) 44th annual Great American Smokeout today by calling on state lawmakers to protect the health of Wisconsin residents by passing strong tobacco control legislation. Only by tackling tobacco use through a comprehensive approach can we effectively overcome the country’s tobacco use epidemic and prevent the more than 480,000 deaths each year caused by smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.

The advocacy affiliate of ACS, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), supports evidence-based strategies proven to reduce tobacco use including comprehensive smoke-free laws, regular and significant tobacco excise tax increases and adequately funding evidence-based tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

Milwaukee, WI – September 25, 2019 – Milwaukee attorney Philip R. O’Brien has been named to the national Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Wisconsin continues to fall short when it comes to passing legislation that prevents and reduces suffering and death from cancer. According to the latest edition of How Do You Measure Up?: A Progress Report on State Legislative Activity to Reduce Cancer Incidence and Mortality, Wisconsin still lags behind on tobacco control policies. 

Local American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer and Evansville resident Kim Fredrickson will join more than 100 other cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, physicians and researchers representing over 50 cancer organizations in Washington, D.C., to urge lawmakers to prioritize the fight against cancer.

Today, the Wisconsin Legislature voted to remove Medicaid expansion funding from the state budget. In response, Sara Sahli, Wisconsin government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, released the following statement:

Nearly 100 cancer survivors, caregivers and their families from across the state gathered in Madison today to urge lawmakers to improve the care and quality of life for patients with long-term illnesses.

More than 100 cancer survivors, caregivers and their families from across the state will gather in Madison next week to urge lawmakers to improve the care and quality of life for patients with long-term illnesses.

La Crosse resident and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer Mariah Forster Olson will travel to Washington, D.C. today to talk about her cancer experience and to urge lawmakers to ensure childhood cancer research remains a national priority.

Today, Gov. Tony Evers released his budget plan, which included funding for tobacco prevention and the state’s Well Woman program for breast and cervical cancer screenings, as well as a tax on e-cigarettes. He also announced his commitment to increasing access to Wisconsin’s Medicaid program. In response, Sara Sahli, Wisconsin government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, released the following statement:

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network will host a Cancer Research Breakfast for community members about important research taking place in Wisconsin on Thursday, Nov. 1. The forum will feature cancer researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin.