Palliative Care

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Patient Quality of Life

Most Americans and even many doctors have it wrong.  Palliative care is not just about end of life care.   

Palliative care services support patients from the point of diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond. 

Palliative care is coordinated patient care that treats the patient as well as the disease.  It provides cancer patients and their caregivers an extra layer of support, making available a team of experts focused on relieving pain, managing emotional stress and other supportive services. 

This care improves the quality of life of cancer patients and cancer survivors, saving lives and reducing health care costs. 

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Ella Volunteer

"Life keeps going."

Ella knows cancer all too well. Diagnosed with leukemia at just age 11, she spent her entire teenage years in cancer treatment. Years later, she tragically lost her mom to cancer.

On June 21, Ella was one of 51 advocates from across 26 states to attend the 8 th...

Read her story.

Latest Updates

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State Representative Patrick Snyder Receives Award for Championing Public Policy Focused on Improving Quality of Life for People With Serious Illness Like Cancer

October 21, 2024
Wisconsin

Wausau, Wis. – State Representative Patrick Snyder received the State Representative of the Year award, one of the most prestigious awards presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), in recognition of his significant contributions to the fight against cancer in Wisconsin. Representative Snyder authored and

Palliative Care Bill a Win for South Dakota, Amendment F Looms as Possible Major Setback for Cancer Community

March 28, 2024
South Dakota

SJR 501, passed with little in the way of discussion or specifics, will be placed on the November ballot as Amendment F. ACS CAN will be part of a broad coalition of health advocacy groups opposed as similar programs in other Medicaid Expansion states have accomplished little other than stripping health care from those most in need.

Congress Considers FY24 Appropriations Bill That Prioritizes Cancer Research and Proven Cancer Screening Funding Amidst Difficult Budget Cycle

March 21, 2024
National

WASHINGTON, D.C.— March 21, 2024 — Today, Congress released a series of spending bills aimed to finalize FY2024 funding that includes a $300 million increase in funding for the National Health Institute (NIH) base budget, including a $120 million increase in discretionary funding for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a modest $500,000 increase for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cancer screening and prevention programs and maintains the current funding level for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) at $1.5 billion.

ACS CAN Applauds South Dakota Legislature, State Healthcare Leaders For Passage of Senate Bill 147

February 23, 2024
South Dakota

PIERRE, South Dakota – February 23, 2024 -- The South Dakota Legislature today approved legislation that will help facilitate improved access to palliative care. Once signed by Gov. Kristi Noem, this bill will allow the state’s healthcare providers to better serve those who are in need of this crucial service.

Palliative Care Resources

Palliative Care Stories

March 15, 2016

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness - from point of diagnosis onward. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. This report shares the stories of patients who have benefited from palliative care and providers who deliver this important care.

The Journey of Palliative Care

June 1, 2012

This video from the Center to Advance Palliative Care explores palliative care, and follows the experience of Joyce Jann and her family, as they work with a palliative care team at Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, Florida.

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