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Teaming up for cancer patients

In partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA), ACS continues to drive impact and bring support to cancer patients and their caregivers through the Hockey Fights Cancer™ initiative and its extension, Hockey Fights Cancer Assist. This powerful collaboration supports ACS patient programs like Hope Lodge and Road to Recovery. One of the most impactful activations of this partnership is the NHL Stanley Cup® Hope Lodge Tour, which brings the iconic trophy to Hope Lodge locations in NHL markets. Throughout the regular season, the tour delivered unforgettable moments of joy, resilience, and community to patients, caregivers, and team members —from Philadelphia to Salt Lake City—by connecting them with hockey legends, mascots, and the magic of the Stanley Cup®. These visits not only celebrate the spirit of the game but also reinforce the mission to bring comfort and hope to those facing cancer. As the Stanley Cup® Final approaches, we look back at tour highlights from the 2024-2025 season:

Philadelphia, PA (pictured above, top right)

Philadelphia Flyers alumni Joe and Jim Watson joined guests for dinner, photos, and a community raffle, creating a warm and personal experience. A special visit to Fox Chase Cancer Center allowed patients and team members to share meaningful moments with the Stanley Cup®.

Boston, MA (pictured above, top left)

Guests enjoyed a Bruins watch party, a raffle, and photo opportunities all centered around the Stanley Cup®, with members of the local media present. In addition, local high school hockey players from Bridgewater-Raynham served lunch, adding a heartfelt community touch.

Tampa, FL (pictured above, middle left)

Unique photo opportunities, the Lightning mascot, ThunderBug, and NHL and NHLPA swag brought laughter and excitement, while cozy gift blankets offered comfort to Hope Lodge guests in Tampa.

Salt Lake City, UT (pictured above, middle right)

The Stanley Cup® visit aligned with the Utah Hockey Club’s inaugural season, energizing both hospital and Lodge communities. Visitors had the opportunity to watch the Utah Hockey Club, now known as the Utah Mammoth, take on the Montréal Canadiens and enjoy dinner and games.

St. Louis, MO (pictured above, bottom row)

The Stanley Cup® returned to St. Louis in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Worldwide Technology St. Louis Hope Lodge, which included a private evening for Hope Lodge guests at the St. Louis Aquarium, featuring NHL guests and community leaders. In addition, a reception for St. Louis alumni from the AEPi Fraternity at Mizzou helped build momentum for the fraternity’s Rock-A-Thon fundraiser.

Discovery Shops celebrate excellence with 2024 Denise Noel Awards
Recently, the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop team celebrated and honored store managers, volunteers, and shops for their outstanding contributions to the Discovery Shop program in 2024. This year the Denise Noel awards were expanded to include leaders that have made significant impacts, including Rising Star Manager and Shop of the Year.
Congratulations to the following 2024 award winners!
Denise Noel Manager & Shop of the Year
- Winner: Ann-Marie Farrell
- Discovery Shop: Overlake, WA (pictured above)
Rising Star Manager & Shop of the Year
Designated for shops open for business less than three years.
- Winner: Alexis Spencer
- Discovery Shop: Oceanside, CA
Denise Noel Volunteer Leader of the Year
Awarded to five exceptional volunteers across the country who are nominated by each Discovery Shop region.
- East (Iowa, Michigan, Ohio & Virginia): Wade Leaman, Chardon, OH (pictured at right, right)
- Pacific Northwest (Northern California & Washington): Brenda Fisk, Chico, CA (pictured at right, left)
- Northern Coastal (California): Laura Najm, Pleasanton, CA
- Desert Coastal (California): Alice Harris, Upland, CA
- Great Valley (California): Barbara Jones, Encino, CA
Award Background
The Denise Noel Awards honor the legacy of Denise Noel, who founded the first Discovery Shop in San Fernando, CA, in 1965 after her family was touched by cancer. Her vision and dedication led to the creation of a 60-location chain of upscale resale shops operated by ACS. Denise's pursuit of excellence and commitment to supporting the mission of ACS continue to inspire our volunteers. This award is presented annually to individuals or groups in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Discovery Shop program.
The American Cancer Society celebrates these remarkable individuals and their dedication to making a difference! To find a Discovery Shop store near you, or shop online via eBay, visit cancer.org.
May 12, 2025
- Fundraising
Gordy’s Give Back Day shatters expectations
On May 1, the Relay For Life community rallied nationwide for Gordy’s Give Back Day, a 24-hour fundraising push honoring Dr. Gordy Klatt and 40 years of Relay For Life. With an ambitious goal of $400,000 (and a stretch goal of $540,000), volunteers didn’t just rise to the challenge – they exceeded it, raising an incredible $651,670 in just one day.
“This day reminded us that cancer cannot cripple love, it cannot shatter hope, and it cannot conquer the spirit,” said Becky VanLoon, national volunteer lead, Relay For Life. “Our community showed the same passion, grit, and heart that lit the first track 40 years ago. That spark is still burning bright.”
Leading the Way: East Valley, AZ
The Relay For Life of East Valley, AZ topped the charts with a staggering $140,140 raised—the most of any participating event. Event Lead Laura Deppert credited longtime donors and a deep commitment to the cause. “Their passion for finding a cure continues to inspire all of us,” she shared.
One major driver of East Valley’s success was a $40,000 donation secured by leadership volunteer Gina Romero. “It felt like the perfect moment to reignite our fundraising,” said Gina. “Doing it in honor of Gordy’s legacy made it especially meaningful.” Their efforts will help fund an American Cancer Society Hero of Research grant for Dr. Nicole Jimenez, an Arizona-based gynecologic cancer researcher.
Top 10 Events Based on Funds Raised
More than 460 Relay For Life events participated across the country. Here are the top 10:
1. East Valley, AZ – $140,140
2. Sumner Portland, TN – $26,871
3. Eugene-Springfield, OR – $23,975
4. Blair, PA – $23,129
5. Bakersfield, CA – $21,267
6. Farmington Valley, CT – $15,566
7. East Central CT – $15,441
8. Bell County, TX – $12,633
9. Santa Clarita Valley, CA – $10,107
10. Peninsula, VA – $8,055
Celebrating Momentum, Honoring a Legacy
Gordy’s Give Back Day wasn’t just a fundraising milestone—it was a powerful demonstration of what makes Relay For Life so unique. It united hundreds of communities behind a common purpose, reminded us of the heart that fuels our mission, and proved that together, we are unstoppable.
For more information or to find an event near you, visit RelayForLife.org.
May 05, 2025
- Fundraising

Fit2BeCancerFree Employee Challenge raises $933,025

The ACS Fit2BeCancerFree Employee Challenge concluded April 24 with over 1,699,500,000 steps tracked and more than $933,000 in donations. Approximately 18,200 participants joined the virtual step tracking challenge, which was open to all companies and CEOs and encouraged employers to rally colleagues, friends, and communities to get active in support of our work to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
Through the MoveSpring app, the employee challenge participants experienced a virtual journey that encouraged steps each day, engaged employees with ACS through motivational milestones, and helped to raise funds for our mission. Congratulations and many thanks to the 2025 challenge winners in the following categories:
National Employee Challenge Winner (most distance accrued): McKesson with a total of 159,441 miles.
Mission Impact Winner (most dollars raised): Freestone Capital Management with $60,025 raised.
Highest Average Participation (highest average distance per participant): Acquis Consulting with an average of 6.23 miles per participant per day.
Fit2BeCancerFree kicked off on April 10 with the 24-hour CEO challenge, followed by the two-week Employee Challenge. The final leaderboard for all participating CEOs and organizations can be found at cancer.org/fit2be.
Apr 28, 2025
- Fundraising
Inaugural Artist of the Year Contest launches!
To celebrate how the emotions of art can tell a story and inspire, the inaugural American Cancer Society Artist of the Year Contest launches on World Art Day, April 15! This contest, created as a unique annual stewardship opportunity, calls for artists from all disciplines to create a custom piece of art and personal statement showcasing how cancer has impacted them. Artists should submit their work by June 30 to be considered for the first-ever American Cancer Society Artist of the Year!
We need your help to make this contest a success! Please use this communications toolkit to reach out to your partners, volunteers, and donors to encourage them to submit a piece and spread the word. In this toolkit, you’ll find an email template, two graphics, and social copy for X/Twitter and Facebook (you cannot post contests on LinkedIn).
Help us create a memorable moment for a talented artist. Their work will be mass distributed to our donor base as a collector item in various forms to be used for your continued stewardship of supporters across the organization.
- Artist of the Year Communications Toolkit
- Artist of the Year Website
Questions?
Contact the stewardship team at stewardship@cancer.org.
Apr 15, 2025
- Fundraising

Top steppers for Fit2Be Cancer Free CEO challenge announced
CEOs and their employees across the country are stepping up to fight cancer through the ACS Fit2Be Cancer Free Challenge. To kick off this two-week virtual step competition, the Fit2Be CEOs Challenge took place on April 10, when 52 registered CEOs hit the pavement to log as many steps as possible during the 24-hour challenge. Collectively, the CEOs totaled 2,017,583 steps during the challenge window.
Congratulations to the top three steppers and the most active on social during the 24-hour CEO Challenge:
- 1st place: Brendan Freeman, CEO’s Against Cancer – Wisconsin Chapter (112,231 steps)
- 2nd place: Juliet Breeze, MD, Next Level Medical (111,441 steps)
- 3rd place: Matt Kersting, CFA, CSI Leasing, Inc. (105,923 steps)
- Most Socially Active: Steve O’Loughlin, LHM
As part of the two-week employee challenge, participants experience a virtual journey that encourages steps each day, engages them through ACS mission milestones, and provides an opportunity to raise funds for our work. The top companies will be recognized the afternoon of April 25 in the following categories: 
- 2025 National Employee Challenge Winner: for the company with the most distance accrued 
- Mission Impact Winner: for the company with the most dollars raised 
- Highest Average Participation for the company with the highest average distance per participants 
Check out the Challenge leaderboard, or make a donation, at www.cancer.org/fit2be.
Apr 14, 2025
- Fundraising
Pickleball challenge takes a swing at cancer
The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) and the American Cancer Society will join forces during National Pickleball Month this April to launch the APP National Pickleball Challenge, a nationwide initiative designed to support people facing cancer and build healthier communities.
The APP National Pickleball Challenge tasks participants to play pickleball ten times during the month and track their active minutes, competing for a spot atop the national leaderboard. Whether it’s playing a competitive match, enjoying a casual match with friends, cardio training, or bouncing a ball up and down on a paddle, any pickleball-related activity will count towards the challenge. Players can register and start fundraising today on JustGiving and will start tracking their pickleball activity on April 1 via the Stridekick mobile application or manually.
One hundred percent of the proceeds raised during the APP National Pickleball Challenge will directly benefit the American Cancer Society.
How It Works
Sign Up: Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 26, register for the APP National Pickleball Challenge on JustGiving.
Start fundraising! All challengers that generate $25 in donations will receive a free “Strength & Hope” T-shirt from the American Cancer Society and the top ten fundraisers will receive a revolutionary OWL Sport paddle from the APP.
Grab your paddle and get moving! Once the challenge is live on April 1, you can easily track your activity and compete with friends using the Stridekick mobile app. It even allows you to connect your fitness tracker and work your way up the national leaderboard for active minutes.
Spread the word about the APP National Pickleball Challenge and share updates on your progress throughout the month on social media to spark more donations!
Mar 13, 2025
- Fundraising

Mike Neal, chief of organizational advancement, announces retirement

In an email to all ACS team members, Interim CEO Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick shared that after nearly three decades of service, Mike Neal, chief of organizational advancement, has announced his plan to retire from the organization on April 11. “As a trusted leader and friend to many throughout his tenure with the organization, Mike's ability to connect with others, build strong partnerships, and bring out the best in everyone he worked with will leave an enduring legacy,” Dr. Frederick shared in the message.
Mike’s career has been one of service to others. From his early days at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Ohio Department of Health, to the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, and finally his home at the American Cancer Society – Mike has been a servant leader who has always worked to better the lives of others. He joined ACS in 1996 as vice president of the Western Pennsylvania Region, where he led the development of a new field structure, moving from a unit/county-based model to a region model. In 2007, Mike was appointed to the role of senior vice president, division operations, in the former East Central Division (Pennsylvania and Ohio), and went on to serve the enterprise as senior executive vice president of field operations for four years prior to his appointment as chief of organizational advancement in 2021.
Throughout the course of Mike’s career with the organization, he has hired, developed and mentored several ACS leaders across the country. He was also instrumental in building our current regional model in Development and successfully achieved year-over-year revenue growth during his time as chief of organizational advancement.
The American Cancer Society congratulates Mike on this well-deserved retirement and celebrates his invaluable service to the mission for nearly 30 years!
Mar 11, 2025
- Fundraising
Celebrating more of our 2024 volunteer award winners
In addition to those who were recognized at the Volunteer Leadership Summit in Dallas this past January, there are many more tremendous volunteer leaders to celebrate through the national awards program. Several individuals, partners, and events were recently selected and recognized in the following categories: cross-cutting awards, Development, Discovery, and Patient Support. Together, this outstanding group of individuals and partners have raised significant funds, served hundreds of patients, and demonstrated a strong commitment to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
The following are award winners who were not already recognized at the Volunteer Leadership Summit in January. Additional winners will be announced at the Patient Support Virtual Summit in April. Congratulations to our 2024 award winners:
CROSS-CUTTING AWARD CATEGORIES
2024 ACS Young Leader Award: Sam Keimweiss, intern, United States Senate
2024 St. George Award Winners
2024 Volunteer Staff Partnership Award Winners
- Northeast Region: Ein Migano, vice president and general manager, Turner Construction Company, Carrey Sanders, senior vice president, Middle Market Banking Leader at Fifth Third Bank, and Melanie Schmid, associate director, Development
- North Region: Robert Low, CEO and founder, Prime Trucking and Sherri Tjaden, associate director, Development
- Southeast Region: Dan Chappell, executive vice president & Chief Human Resources Officer, Seacoast Bank and Theresa Woodson, senior development manager
- South Region: John Michael Rowland, proprietor of Pigeon and Whale Restaurant and Henry Heaton, director, Development - Region Innovation
- West Region: Steven Ai, chairman of City Mall and the ACS Hawaii team
DEVELOPMENT AWARD CATEGORIES
Development Volunteer Award for Excellence: Kaye Monfort (posthumously) executive volunteer leader of the Northern Colorado Cattle Baron's Ball
PATIENT SUPPORT AWARD CATEGORIES
Save the date! Health Systems Partner of the Year and the Lane Adams Quality of Life Award will be presented at the upcoming Patient Support Virtual Volunteer Summit on Wednesday, April 23. In addition, several other patient support award categories will be presented to outstanding volunteers from across the country during this one-hour session. All ACS team members and supporters are encouraged to join the celebration so save the date and look for registration information in the coming weeks!
Once again, congratulations to all volunteers and team members who were honored! Continue to watch ACS news and social channels as we continue to celebrate our 2024 winners in the coming months.
Mar 10, 2025
- Fundraising

Fundraising

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