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Spread the word about ACS free estate planning this week

​Spread the word to strengthen the ACS planned giving program.

Monday, Oct. 21 kicks off National Estate Planning Awareness Week (NEPAW), an ideal opportunity for nonprofits to generate more planned gifts for their organization by encouraging donors to make a will. Started in 2008, NEPAW aims to help people understand what estate planning is and why it's so important.

You can help increase public awareness and raise donations to strengthen our planned giving program by amplifying NEPAW content, pictured at right, posted on the American Cancer Society LinkedIn channel this week. Take a moment to reshare with your professional networks and check out this opportunity to leverage the Giving Docs platform to give to ACS through your own estate plans.

Visit the Giving Docs free estate planning platform to get started.


  • Sarah Wells promoted to Executive Vice President, Northeast Region

    ​Transition from chief of staff for Development effective Oct. 21.

    In a message to Northeast Region team members and the OneACS leadership team on Oct. 10, Senior Vice President of Field Operations Brant Woodward announced the promotion of Sarah Wells to Executive Vice President for the Northeast Region.

    In 2000, Sarah began her ACS career in cancer control and health initiatives, before moving into more development-focused roles including community fundraising, major gifts, corporate partnerships and board development. Before her most recent appointment as Chief of Staff for Development, Sarah served in a variety of roles with the former North Central and current Northeast Region including Vice President of Ohio/West Virginia & Regional Development, Vice President of Community Engagement, Vice President of Distinguished Partners and Executive Director for the state of Ohio. 

    “It goes without saying that Sarah’s experience in both development and field operations runs deep. She has a proven track record of building exceptional relationships with volunteer leaders, standing up impactful boards and other highly effective leadership groups, leading capital campaigns, developing best-in-class Distinguished Events, and driving exponential revenue growth,” said Brant. “She is a highly respected people leader who is known as much for her commitment to her teams as she is for her dedication to our vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. Sarah’s past experiences in cancer control (now patient support), coupled with her most recent role as Chief of Staff for Development, only strengthens her ability to make an immediate impact in her new role.”

    "The mission of the American Cancer Society is very personal to me, and each year my passion to do more to end cancer and increase our impact on cancer patients and their families grows stronger,” Sarah shared. “I am deeply honored for this opportunity and excited to lead this extremely talented team in the Northeast Region to accelerate our collective work."

    Sarah is a native of northeast Ohio and currently resides there with her husband and two children. She is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and earned a Master of Science degree in health promotion management from American University. 



  • Making Strides On the Go connects walkers nationwide

    ​All supporters are invited to tune in online and walk locally on Oct. 26.​​

    Making Strides On the Go is our digital “walk-from-home” experience so anyone, anywhere can join in the Making Strides celebration! Grab your earbuds and lace up your sneakers for a live, interactive broadcast that will keep you dancing as you walk in your own neighborhood at the same time as Making Strides supporters nationwide! Join us on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 11 a.m. ET, with one simple click at windrosemedia.com/stridesonthego/

    “Our broadcast hosts this year are Austin DeSavino, director of development for Greater NYC, and Kristi Rowley, a survivor joining us from North Carolina,” said Vicky Green, senior director, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer & National Initiatives. “We are excited to have already registered double the participation from last year!”

    If you haven’t signed up for a walk yet and would like to fundraise, sign up now at MakingStridesWalk.org/OnTheGo. Walkers already signed up for a local Making Strides event can just click to join us on walk day!


  • Maria Olson promoted to Executive Vice President

    ​California Guam Hawaii now recognized as a Region.

    In a message to California Guam Hawaii (CGH) team members and the OneACS leadership team, Senior Vice President of Field Operations Brant Woodward announced the promotion of Maria Olson to Executive Vice President.

    “In 2022, the CGH Division was uniquely formed to seize significant growth opportunities and reimagine our ways of work to achieve those goals,” said Brant. “Under Maria’s leadership, the CGH team has exceeded the drivers of success including exponential growth, deepened corporate partnerships and philanthropy, and significantly improved ROI which means more money to directly fund the mission.” While CGH achieved 20% revenue growth in 2023, and is currently tracking 22.8% over the prior year, the team is on the path to meet and most likely exceed that extraordinary growth once again in 2024. 

    Some examples of the CGH team’s success include:

    • Executing a record breaking $2.3 million Honolulu Hope Gala including a $1 million Hope Lodge endowment gift as part of the campaign
    • Securing a $1.5 million research investment from an annual donor who has consistently had given $25,000 per year
    • Celebrating a $2.5 million San Francisco Discovery Gala in 2023, its highest growth ever, which is poised to exceed a $3 million goal in 2024
    • Pioneering a multi-year, strategic corporate partnership program which has resulted in more than $2,944,575 in NEW money

    Brant added that in addition to Maria’s promotion, CGH will also be officially recognized as a Region moving forward. “This change is based on several factors and stems in large part from the number of top markets, Fortune 500 companies, and current total revenue, in addition to Hope Lodge campaigns and CEO’s Against Cancer chapter potential,” he said.

    Congratulations to Maria and the entire CGH Region for creating sustainable and renewed success throughout its evolution. 



  • NFL Crucial Catch kicks off October

    ​ACS and NFL are tackling cancer together!

    Football season is well underway, but the NFL Crucial Catch campaign is helping to kick off October with a slew of activities to amplify the ACS mission and increase cancer screening. Now in its 16th season, Crucial Catch is a year-round initiative in partnership with ACS to educate fans on the importance of taking their health into their own hands. 

    Every October the campaign features players (ambassadors), coaches, fans, and referees in apparel supporting multiple types of cancer, as well as additional on-field and in-stadium branding to help raise awareness for the campaign. This initiative is a touchdown for early detection and risk reduction, using our nation's love of football to raise awareness and save lives. 

    Here's what makes Crucial Catch a game-changer:  

    • Raising awareness: Since 2009, the campaign has raised more than $30 million to fund our mission. 
    • Early detection saves lives: Crucial Catch highlights the importance of early detection for multiple types of cancer, including breast cancer. 
    • Empowering communities: Funds raised support the ACS Community Health Advocates implementing Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity (CHANGE) program, providing vital resources to under resourced communities. A map of all NFL funded CHANGE Grants, Links to Care Grants, and IMPACT ECHO initiative sites can be found here. 
    • Driving action: The Defender, presented by Sleep Number in partnership with the NFL, is an interactive tool that now offers a refreshed look, a brand-new quiz, and upgraded resources to help assess cancer risk and find local screening options. You can amplify this unique resource by sharing The Defender quiz on social media. Please use #CrucialCatch #NFL #ACS #poweredbypartnership when sharing. 
    • Support the cause with Crucial Catch gear: Did you know that when you support your favorite team, you support the cause at the same time? The NFL donates 100% of its proceeds from Crucial Catch merchandise to the American Cancer Society to provide cancer screenings and resources to under resourced communities. Get your gear and shop now! 

    Football games schedule 


  • Corporate partner activations heat up

    ​Chevy and Xponential Fitness promotions drive revenue in October.​​​

    In addition to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Men Wear Pink campaigns, corporate partnerships are also helping to drive revenue in support of the breast cancer fight this October. For more than 13 years, Chevrolet has been a driving force in the fight against breast cancer, raising over $20 million. The #WeDriveFor campaign serves as an extension of that work and a rally cry, highlighting the collective action of Chevrolet, the American Cancer Society and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in driving awareness and support in the movement to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone.

    From Oct. 1 – 31, Chevrolet will be contributing $5 to ACS for each hashtag #WeDriveFor used across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X. Sharing posts with #WeDriveFor also raises funds – this includes sharing posts in-feed, on stories on Facebook and Instagram and retweets on X.

    You can help! Join us this October by sharing or resharing a post with #WeDriveFor. Every share helps! ACS team members and supporters can access the activation toolkit by logging on to Brand Central to download . Check out this #WeDriveFor Partner Post.

    ACS is also excited to partner with Xponential Fitness this month to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer.

    Xponential Fitness is the largest global franchise group of health and wellness brands with nine brands and nearly 3,000 studios located in 48 states and 16 countries. These brands include Club Pilates, Pure Barre, CycleBar, StretchLab, Rumble Boxing, YogaSix, Lindora, BFT, and AKT. 

    Through this new partnership, Xponential’s family of brands will activate in support of the ACS during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, including donation-based classes and offering a percentage of breast cancer related merchandise sales to raise funds for American Cancer Society.

    ACS team members can reference the field activation guide for additional information and guidance.


  • Power of Pink Day is Oct. 2

    ​Help ACS amplify our community presence this October.​​

    October is right around the corner and there are so many ways to support ACS in our movement to end breast cancer. On Wednesday, Oct. 2, all supporters are invited to take part in the annual Power of Pink Day! In addition, all registered participants for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Men Wear Pink are encouraged to help amplify our community presence and support the fight to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone. From wearing pink and posting on social media, to sharing your personal fundraising page or celebrating a survivor or thriver with a donation, this day encourages anyone and everyone to turn your passion into power and join forces with ACS.

    Mark your calendar and determine how you can support Power of Pink Day on Oct. 2:

    • Proudly wear pink and share on with followers on social media. A Power of Pink Day social toolkit makes it fun and easy. Invite your family and friends to join the movement and help end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone! Don’t forget to use #ACSPowerofPink or #MakingStrides[your local event]
    • It’s not too late to sign up for your Making Strides local event or Making Strides On The Go! Visit MakingStridesWalk.org to get started.
    • If you’re already signed up, take a moment to share the link to your personal fundraising page or make a small donation to a friend or colleague who is fundraising for ACS.

    The Power of Pink Day is just the beginning! Stay tuned to ACS news channels for more information on the latest breast cancer activations, partnerships, and promotions in the month of October.



  • Janus Henderson offers money market fund to support ACS advocacy, research and patient support

    ​Innovative partnership yields at least $1M per year through 2027 for ACS mission.

    On Sept. 16, the American Cancer Society and Janus Henderson, a global active asset manager, announced an innovative partnership to support cancer research, advocacy, and patient support.

    Through this pioneering initiative, Janus Henderson will donate an amount equal to half of its management fees for all assets under management from Janus Henderson’s Government Money Market Fund to ACS. Janus Henderson has committed to donating a minimum of $1 million per year to ACS for the next three years through this innovative partnership to support the fight against cancer.

    "Together with Janus Henderson, we are supporting cancer patients and families across the cancer continuum by partnering in this innovative fundraising method,” said CEO Dr. Karen Knudsen. “Their generous support will increase our ability to fund groundbreaking research, advocate for better access to care at the federal and local levels and provide direct patient support to help us end cancer as we know it, for everyone.”

    Janus Henderson’s partnership with ACS is part of Janus Henderson’s Brighter Future Project. To learn more about this initiative, please visit Janus Henderson | American Cancer Society.

    The American Cancer Society does not endorse any service or product. Shares of Janus Henderson Government Money Market Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by the ACS, and the ACS is not an investment adviser or service provider to the Fund, Janus Investment Fund, or Janus Henderson.

    Pictured above are, left to right, Janus Henderson Investors Head of Innovation Nick Cherney, ACS CEO Dr. Knudsen, and Janus Henderson Investors CEO Ali Dibadj.


  • BrightEdge Entrepreneurs Program applications are open

    ​Help us spread the word to early-career cancer-focused scientists and innovators.

    The BrightEdge Entrepreneurs (BEE) Program is open! This selective 10-month program for mentorship, funding, and resources from the American Cancer Society helps young entrepreneurs develop their cancer-focused innovations and make a real impact. BrightEdge Entrepreneurs is a new program built to train and equip scientific entrepreneurs to effectively launch companies that will advance research discoveries for the benefit of patients.

    Designed for early-career researchers, the BEE program empowers participants to simultaneously advance their technical expertise and propel their budding commercial ventures. Entrepreneurs are selected based on their alignment with the mission priorities of the ACS and BrightEdge's investment focus areas.

    How you can support us in reaching new entrepreneurs

    • Help us get the word out. Share this LinkedIn post with your networks and colleagues.
    • The application deadline is Nov. 9 for the for our February 2025 program. Applications and more background can be found at acsbrightedge.org.
    • For questions about this program or other innovation programming, please contact the BrightEdge Innovation team.
    ​
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