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ACS and American Greetings team up to encourage people to prioritize their health

​We’ve teamed up with American Greetings for a special collaboration to give consumers an opportunity to remind their loved ones to get screened for cancer.

​Beginning Jan. 9, individuals can visit this page to view a special collection of digital greeting cards to designed to help start one of the most important conversations with loved ones – the importance of getting screened for cancer.

Take a look, pick a card, and send a little love that could make a big difference. Together, let’s inspire action to save lives.​

How can you help? Visit the website to send a card to someone you love to get screened for cancer.​

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  • Relay For Life kicks off 40th year with Relay First Lap

    ​As we prepare to celebrate 40 years of Relay For Life in 2025, this milestone marks an extraordinary moment of reflection, celebration, and renewed determination. Relay’s rich history reminds us of the power of community and hope in ending cancer as we know it, for everyone.​

    ​It all started in May 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, Washington, walked and ran for 24 hours to honor his patients and raise funds for the American Cancer Society. His determination inspired what we now know as Relay For Life—a global movement uniting millions of people in over 30 countries to fight cancer.

    During the past 40 years, Relay For Life has raised more than $7 billion to fund critical cancer research, advocacy, and patient support programs. But beyond fundraising, Relay has become a community—a home for thousands of survivors, caregivers, and volunteers to find strength and hope.​

    “Relay For Life is more than a fundraising event—it’s a movement powered by volunteers’ passion, resilience, and the unwavering belief that they can make a difference,” said Bryan Sherwood, senior director, Relay For Life. “As we look to the future, we’re committed to growing Relay’s impact and creating new opportunities for everyone to get involved both here in the US and in 34 other global partner countries around the world.”

    Get involved in the 40th year of Relay For Life!

    ​Register today for your local Relay For Life event at RelayForLife.org. Together, we’ll make Relay For Life’s 40th year a shining example of what we can accomplish when we unite for a common cause. Here’s to 40 years of hope—and to the brighter future we’re building, one step at a time.

  • Limited-time sale of collectable cards raises $2M+

    ​Last spring, Wizards of the Coast, a gaming company renowned for creating captivating experiences for gamers across tabletop and digital gaming, released a special Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair drop of collectable cards in support of the American Cancer Society. 

    The series of cards, called "Sheldon's Spellbook," became wildly popular with gamers around the world, and in just 30 days raised $2,140,640 for ACS. 

    The series of cards was created in honor of, and in collaboration with, Sheldon Menery, a beloved figure in the Magic community. Unfortunately, Sheldon passed away in September 2023 after a seven-year battle with cancer, prior to the release of “Sheldon’s Spellbook.” 

    This campaign resulted in a transformational gift for ACS as well as the largest fan-driven philanthropic gift for Magic: The Gathering, Wizards of the Coast, and Hasbro, Inc. (Wizards of the Coast is a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc.)

    In a thank-you post on Reddit, ACS shared the following:

    ​“Words cannot express our gratitude to the entire community for their amazing generosity and desire to​ honor an incredible person. We wish Sheldon could have seen your amazing achievement himself, but we know he would have been overjoyed with the response.


    “Thank you, Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro, for working with Sheldon to bring this gift to life. This is a celebration of the innovation and passion of their teams and exemplifies their mission to bring people together through play, imagination, and meaningful connections.

    “Sheldon believed in the power of connection and shared experiences across the table to bring people together. This transformational gift will help advance the American Cancer Society’s mission, elevating cancer prevention and early detection and helping ensure every individual has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Which means we’ll be fulfilling Sheldon’s wish for all of us to play more games, meet new people, and stay around the table even longer.”

  • Thelma Suson inducted into Relay For Life Hall of Fame

    ​On Nov. 23, one of the American Cancer Society’s most passionate and innovative supporters was celebrated by the entire Relay For Life community. In a surprise ceremony, volunteer Thelma Suson was inducted into the Relay For Life Hall of Fame, which encompasses a select group of Relay volunteers and team members that have made a significant, lasting impact on the program.  

    Thelma was presented the honor by current Hall of Fame member Laura McCormick. Also, in attendance during the ceremony was Bryan Sherwood, senior director, Relay For Life, along with Thelma’s family. 

    Thelma Suson’s journey with Relay For Life began in 2001, when she walked her first Survivor Lap just after chemotherapy, a moment that gave her hope and transformed her outlook on cancer. This pivotal experience ignited her passion to become a dedicated advocate for the American Cancer Society, inspiring others and expanding Relay For Life’s reach worldwide. Over the years, Thelma has played a pivotal role in both local and global i​nitiatives, becoming a tireless leader and ambassador for the cause. 

    In 2002, Thelma became Team Captain of Delta Air Lines’ first Relay For Life team, which eventually grew into a Global Team partner. By 2010, she was leading Delta’s first Global Relay team in Japan and helped expand the airline’s international presence. Thelma also played a crucial role in launching the Philippines' first collegiate Relay outside of Manila in 2012, working alongside the Philippine Cancer Society and Visayas State University. Her contributions were felt locally at home, as she has served as Event Chair for her local Relay For Life and mentored teams across the U.S. and abroad. 

    As a founding member of the former Heroes of Hope program in 2005 (now known as Voices of Hope), Thelma helped develop the signature "How to Tell Your Story" workshop, empowering survivors and caregivers to share their experiences. Her leadership included training volunteers across the U.S. and expanding the program to Global Relay For Life organizations. Through her role as a lead volunteer in Global Relay For Life since 2010, she has supported Relay efforts in various countries, facilitated volunteer training, and fostered cross-border collaboration to inspire hope and resilience worldwide. Thelma’s unwavering commitment to Relay For Life has made her a beacon of hope and a true embodiment of the movement’s spirit. 

    Please join us in congratulating Thelma on her induction into the Relay Hall of Fame by posting a message of support in the Relay For Life Community on Facebook! 



  • Merck acquires BrightEdge portfolio company Modifi

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    An ACS BrightEdge portfolio company was recently acquired by Merck, marking the seventh BrightEdge investment exit. Modifi Bioscience, Inc., a New Haven, CT-based pre-clinical stage company, announced the deal with Merck could total $1.3 billion.

    Among the company's leaders are two former ACS grantees, Ranjit Bindra MD, PhD, and Seth Herzon PhD, who co-founded the company to disrupt conventional oncology drug development in hard-to-treat cancers. The company aims to improve the standard of cancer therapy and patient care by developing direct DNA modification enabled cancer therapeutics.

    “I'm especially proud of the BrightEdge investment team and the American Cancer Society former scientific grantees who discovered and propelled programs that bring hope for those who have not benefited from cancer innovation to date," BrightEdge Managing Director Alice Pomponio shared on LinkedIn. “Brain cancer has the worst survival second only to pancreatic. This news is a refreshing change in tide, so everyone rises."

    Impact Investment Income

    BrightEdge was an early strategic investor in Modifi's seed round of funding. The purchase demonstrates the BrightEdge team's ability to source and invest in profitable venture capital investment deals that align with ACS mission and deepen the impact of those companies along their journey BrightEdge actively collaborated with multiple brain-related cancer nonprofits and was represented on the Modifi Board of Directors by Lucas de Breed, BrightEdge Director of Investments.  

    The total value of the acquisition is valued at $1.3 billion. ACS will receive a pro rata percentage of those funds upfront as well as milestone payments—proof of concept for new streams of ACS revenue generation coming from equity investing.

     



  • BrightEdge hosts Converge on Cancer Summit

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    On Oct. 28 - 29, the BrightEdge Converge on Cancer Summit convened nearly 200 leaders from across the cancer ecosystem, including impact investors, biotech innovators, healthcare experts, academics, and patient advocates. The event focused on fostering collaboration and driving progress in the fight against cancer. The summit addressed pressing issues and explored pioneering approaches in cancer prevention, treatment, and equitable access, working to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

    ​Pictured above are, left to right, Director of Innovation, BrightEdge, Farnaz Bakhshi, PhD; President and Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Julie Louise Gerberding, MD, M.P.H.; Associate Professor of Pediatric Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, and Scientific Founder, Foghorn Therapeutics, Cigall Kadoch, PhD; John J. and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Engineering, Director of Laboratory for Multiscale Regenerative Technologies, MIT and Co-Founder of seven companies, Sangeeta Bhatia, M.D. PhD; and Managing Director BrightEdge, Alice Pomponio.​

    "BrightEdge is building on the shoulders of giants. With ACS’s legacy behind us, we’re leveraging expertise, strategy, and impact investment to shape the future of cancer care. Our mission is to deliver triple-bottom-line results, driving both impact and returns that fuel the fight against cancer."

    - Alice Pomponio, MPP, managing director, BrightEdge

    The BrightEdge Converge on Cancer Summit underscored the need for bold, innovative funding models and collaborative approaches to address the biggest challenges in cancer care. The event's key themes addressed the complex challenges across cancer care. Panels with key industry leaders discussed:

    • Innovation across the cancer continuum: Embracing advancements in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and support for visionary entrepreneurs, leaders at the event examined ways to improve patient outcomes and drive impactful cancer

    • Advancing impact through investment and collaboration: The event raised awareness of the essential role of impact investing and strategic partnerships in advancing high-impact cancer solutions. Discussions examined how cross-sector collaboration can create measurable improvements in patient outcomes and health equity.

    • Pursuing equitable cancer care: Reducing disparities in cancer care remains central to BrightEdge’s mission. Summit speakers highlighted the need for accessible, patient-centered models and explored how targeted investments and innovation can address critical gaps in care.

    About BrightEdge

    As the innovation and impact investment arm of the American Cancer Society, BrightEdge leverages ACS’ deep expertise in cancer research, patient support, and advocacy, along with strategic partnerships and financial resources to fuel oncology-aligned investing. BrightEdge accelerates transformative cancer solutions across the continuum of care through initiatives such as the BrightEdge Entrepreneurs Program, which supports early-stage companies, equity investing through the ACS Impact Venture Fund, and the Cancer Impact Investment Framework, which aligns investments toward high-priority unmet needs.

    With an announcement coinciding with the summit, the release of the BrightEdge 2023 Impact Report showcases how BrightEdge portfolio companies are developing cutting-edge therapies, diagnostics, and technology with the potential to change millions of lives. See the infographic below for more details.

    For more information, please contact BrightEdgeInfo@cancer.org.

  • Coaches vs. Cancer experience auction is live through Dec. 2

    ​The Coaches vs. Cancer Experience Auction, a national online auction that includes packages from sports teams and clubs across the country, is now live through Monday, Dec. 2. From VIP experiences to exclusive golf packages, this auction includes something for every sports enthusiast and supports the mission of the American Cancer Society to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

    With more than 100 experiential sports packages available this year, including golf, basketball, baseball, racing, and more, there’s something for everyone. 


  • Tournaments offer gaming for good

    ​ACS recently teamed up with Skillz, an online mobile gaming platform, to host two exciting charitable tournaments. Players can compete in Skillz-powered games through this partnership while raising critical funds to support cancer research and patient services.

    What is Skillz?

    Skillz is a platform that hosts online multiplayer competitions for iOS and Android games, allowing players to compete for real-world prizes. The partnership with ACS gives players the chance to enjoy their favorite games, like blackjack and poker, while helping fund the fight against cancer.

    How It Works

    For each ACS Charitable Tournament on the Skillz platform, 100% of the net revenue from entry fees will go to ACS. This means that when you play, you’re supporting cancer research and patient care. Net revenue is defined as tournament entry fees (excluding any deposit incentives or Bonus Cash), minus a 20% administration fee.

    Tournament Dates

    • Nov. 22 - 30: Blackout Blackjack
    • Dec. 20 - 29: Blackout Poker

    ​​These dates offer players the chance to compete and make a difference. With Skillz’s global reach, anyone with an iOS or Android device can participate from anywhere.

    Anyone can join ACS and Skillz in a fun and meaningful way. Whether a seasoned gamer or a first-time player, you can contribute to life-saving cancer research by entering a tournament. 

  • New York City Marathon team surpasses $1.5M in fundraising

    ​The TCS New York City Marathon team has lots to celebrate after demolishing its fundraising goal earlier this month and marking the highest amount raised with more than $1.5 million and counting through our 295 DetermiNation runners!   

    Highlights include: 

    • The average raised per participant was $5,168
    • Participants ran 7,729 miles, equating to $197 raised for every mile that was run/walk 
    • Our team represented 35 states and two additional countries (Canada and the UK), with the furthest participant traveling from Alaska!

    In addition, Team Morgan Stanley crossed two significant milestones this year. The team has now reached the Hero of Research award by raising more than $225,000 for the 2024 New York City Marathon and surpassing the $1 million in lifetime fundraising as a 15-year team! 

    The Hero of Research Award level offers recognition based on team fundraising performance to support an approved Extramural Discovery Science postdoctoral fellowship. Qualifying teams will select from an approved list of newly awarded three-year Extramural Discovery Science postdoctoral fellowship grants to name. ​

    This marks the first time that a team from DetermiNation has reached the $225,000 funding level and Morgan Stanley is currently the first team nationwide in 2024 to hit this level for DetermiNation, Relay For Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.   

    The future looks promising in 2025 as well. According to Paul Purdy, strategic director, Endurance Events & Network Fundraising, the team already has a waiting list longer than the number of spots anticipated for the 2025 race and ACS will be implementing an application process for registration.   

    Big congratulations to ACS leads Ramon Bermo, director of Development – Endurance, and Allie Birkinbine, Development manager, for being essentially “sold out” before the 2024 event even finished. 
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