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Thanks for your support on #GivingTuesday - donations are always welcome!

​On #GivingTuesday, the world focused on giving, and we had an opportunity to showcase the urgent needs of cancer patients and ACS in a climate that has been significantly impacted by COVID-19. 

Thanks to the generous support of anonymous matching gift donors, all donations made to ACS on #GivingTuesday will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $75,000.

We need your help beyond #Giving Tuesday! Spread the word on your personal social media channels encouraging friends and family to choose ACS this giving season.

Watch for shareable posts on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Or, use one of the following sample social media post - and be sure to tag ACS.

  • COVID-19 has made fighting cancer even harder. Help save the fight against cancer by donating to ACS at: cancer.org/donate

Thank you!

  • Relay For Life of Father Ryan High School soars despite COVID

    In the midst of a pandemic, the Relay For Life of Father Ryan High School in Nashville, TN, did not disappoint. Participants continued to raise critical funds for our mission and even met safely in person. 

    The Relay committee followed ACS safety guidelines to plan and host an in-person, student-led event this year. Co-chairs Julia Eidt and Matthew Dilucchio, both seniors, helped fellow students run the event with support and guidance from their co-advisors Michelle Mast and Jonathan McGee, both faculty at the school. 

    On Saturday, Oct. 31, top fundraising students were allowed to attend the event. Many students achieved this milestone by participating in our Peer-to-Peer Fall Fundraising Challenge. The event ranked #2 in the challenge, with 139 winners. Each winner raised at least $250 and received a long-sleeved, hooded t-shirt. There was a cap on the number of attendees to keep everyone safe. 

    On the day of the event, the committee met at 8 a.m., with every student sharing why they Relay. The students saw this as a special moment to share what motivated them to raise funds for the Society. Although this year looked different due to social distancing, it was a special bonding moment during a challenging year. 

    With their hard work for this event alone, it is clear why the Relay For Life of Father Ryan High School was the Nationwide Pat Flynn Spirit of Relay Winner in 2019. 

    Early in 2020 (before COVID-19), the Relay For Life of Father Ryan High School made a goal to raise $179,000. With their determination and Relay spirit, they were able to raise more than $162,000. The Relay ranked #3 in the nation in high school events. and #5 nationwide for all campus events. 

    We would also like to acknowledge the hard work of two other high-performing high school events in the nation. Both were able to take advantage of their full fundraising season without many COVID-19 implications:

    • The New Jersey Union County Vocational Technical School took the #1 spot for high schools and ranks #2 for all campus events, having raised more than $199,000. UCVTC pivoted their event to attend our Relay USA. 
    • The #2 spot for high schools went to Kansas Blue Valley Youth for raising more than $173,000, and they ranked #4 for all campus events – hosting an in-person event prior to the impact of COVID-19 on March 6. 

  • ACS mourns the passing of longtime volunteer Linda Mowad

    ​Linda (Ziter) Mowad, RN, 78, of Prospect, CT, died at home on Thanksgiving morning, with her family by her side.

    Linda was the director of the Cancer Information Service for New England at the Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center for 35 years. She was a past chair of the former American Cancer Society New England Board of Directors, and in 1998 she was awarded the St. George National Award from the Society. 

    The award-winning Cancer Information Service, a network for the National Cancer Institute, served the public by interpreting and explaining cancer-related information and research findings in a clear and understandable way. The main office for the New England Region was located at Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, where Linda oversaw programs, research, and community outreach activities.

    A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Dec. 1 in Waterbury, CT, and burial followed in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Watertown, CT.

    To honor Linda's memory, donations in her name may be made to the American Cancer Society or Our Lady of Lebanon Church, 8 East Mountain Rd., Waterbury, CT 06706. The family welcomes condolence, words of comfort, or a personal memory with the Mowad family on Linda's tribute page.


  • Dec. 2 is the deadline for submitting nominations for three prestigious volunteer awards

    This year has been incredibly challenging for the American Cancer Society due to the impact of COVID-19. With very little notice, most community events had to pivot to virtual experiences, and you had to quickly find new ways to raise critical funds for the American Cancer Society.

    Considering so many challenges, you persevered and stepped up in remarkable ways to give support to the American Cancer Society and our mission. If you volunteer alongside an outstanding peer, speak with your staff partner to determine if they meet the requirements for one of our volunteer awards. 

    Nominations are now being accepted for the Volunteer Staff Partnership Award, Volunteer Leadership Award, and St. George National Award. All nominations must be submitted by 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

    Each award has specific requirements and honors a different type of volunteer, so take a few minutes to review the details of each award to determine the best fit for recognizing your peer. As reminder, please work with your staff partner as appropriate to nominate a fellow volunteer for an award. 

    • Volunteer Staff Partnership: This award recognizes a volunteer and staff team that models a successful partnership to positively impact the mission of the Society. These volunteer and staff teams may operate side-by-side in the community, collaborate on projects virtually, or work together across the globe. One partnership will be chosen from each Region and Global Headquarters for a total of seven winners. 
    • Volunteer Leadership Award: This award is presented to volunteers who have served as a volunteer leader for enterprise-wide programs, initiatives, or Board level committees or task forces, other than as chair of the American Cancer Society Board of Directors and to others who have provided long and distinguished service to the Society at the enterprise-wide level.
       
    • St. George National Award: This award is given to outstanding volunteers throughout all Regions who have made significant contributions to the American Cancer Society's strategic goals. Each Region including Puerto Rico is asked to submit up to two nominees.

    If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Brady, volunteer care manager.


  • Meet our top Making Strides fundraisers

    Our commitment to fighting breast cancer is stronger than ever, but how we rallied communities and celebrated in October looked very different. From drive-thrus to parades to virtual experiences, Making Strides participants showed up in a big way. Watch this Thank You Montage video of all the fun participants had in October. 

    Our volunteers and staff have worked tirelessly to execute the 2020 Making Strides season, despite challenges due to the pandemic. This pink season isn’t over, donations will be accepted through December 31, 2020. 

    Here are just a few examples of our Making Strides activities: 

    • The first-ever national Making Strides broadcast – Strides Live Across America – showcased and united breast cancer survivors and communities from coast to coast.
    • About 880 participants joined the Strides Across America Walk Challenge, logging more than 15,000 miles in honor of every person that will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.
    • Plenty of unique events and activations took place in many markets across the country, including promotions such as City Furniture’s “Pink Pumpkin” display of professionally carved pumpkins in 32 stores from Miami to Orlando, giving shoppers a chance to donate to Making Strides; and a drive-thru rolling pep-rally in Long Island with nearly 600 cars. For more updates and photos from events from across the nation, check-out the Pink channel on ACS2Go.

    Thank you to all Making Strides participants and donors, and a big shout out to the current top fundraisers and teams in the fight against breast cancer. 

    Top 3 Fundraisers (all part of the Pacesetters Club)

    • Neva Weber* – Making Strides of Fairfield County, CT (Staff partner: Katie DiVenuto) 
    • Liana Fuente – Making Strides of Tampa (Staff partner: Mallory McLean)
    • Stacy Matseas Racette – Making Strides of San Diego (Staff partner: Karen Cook)

    Top 3 Fundraising Teams

    Making Strides would not be as successful without our National Presenting Sponsor Avon or our largest regional partners including Caesars Entertainment, Chevrolet, New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), Walmart, and Zeta Tau Alpha. We thank them!

    * Neva Weber died on Feb. 6, 2017. Her Making Strides team, Neva's Westport Babes, carries on her passion. Neva would have been 52 on Oct. 18. During her nine years of fundraising, Neva and her team raised more than $1 million. Take time to read the message her mom, Ricki, wrote on her fundraising page.


  • Hockey Fights Cancer month

    ​Unconventional season can’t stop hockey community from helping ACS.

    Each November, the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) come together for Hockey Fights Cancer, an effort to raise funds and awareness to support the fight against cancer. 

    The month typically falls in the NHL season. But due to the pandemic, the NHL adjusted its 2019-2020 season, making this the first time a Hockey Fights Cancer month won’t feature teams hitting the ice.  

    The NHL and the NHLPA know that cancer doesn’t have an off season, so they aren’t letting the pandemic stop them from stepping up to unite the hockey community in support of cancer patients and their families. This year, Hockey Fights Cancer will focus on sharing stories of current and former NHL players and their families via social media and on NHL.com. Each week of the month will feature a different story. 

    The NHL, NHLPA and NHL clubs will also host a league-wide spotlight on ACS across all affiliated social media channels on Thurs., Nov. 19, highlighting the Hockey Fights Cancer partnership and the critical work the Society continues to do amid the pandemic. 

    How you can help!

    Volunteers and staff – especially those in NHL markets – can support the campaign by engaging and sharing Hockey Fights Cancer content on social media, tagging #HockeyFightsCancer in any shared posts. Each Friday during the campaign, the NHL will also focus its social media efforts on encouraging donations to the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative by highlighting opportunities to donate via the Hockey Fights Cancer landing page.

    Additional efforts this month include promotion on the NHL network, mobile app, and on the NHL channels on Sirius XM radio; a national Hockey Fights Cancer Day to be determined; fan engagement via email; a Twitch stream with Arda Ocal; a series of conversations with former players led by Eddie Olczyk as they discuss the importance of prevention and early detection; and branded Hockey Fights Cancer merchandise available via Vineyard Vines and on NHLshop.com. The league also plans to support Giving Tuesday efforts. 

    The NHL and the NHLPA anticipate revisiting Hockey Fights Cancer at the start of the 2021 season to determine how to engage in the fight against cancer. ACS has been the official Hockey Fights Cancer partner in the U.S. since 2017, with the Canadian Cancer Society tapped as the official partner in our neighbor to the north. 


  • Top RMWP candidate raises $100,000+

    ​Total Real Men Wear Pink donations exceed $9 million.

    Although this year was defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, 3,000 men still committed to help us continue our lifesaving work through the Real Men Wear Pink program. As of Nov. 2, the Society has received $9.1 million in confirmed donations. 

    All our campaigns and candidates rallied this year in incredible ways. Candidates were dedicated, energetic, and passionate throughout the month of October, even during the challenging times. They will continue to fundraise until the end of the year.   

    #1 Real Men Wear Pink candidate 

    Jaime Wesolowski (Real Men Wear Pink of San Antonio) is our top Real Men Wear Pink candidate this year by raising $109,603! His staff partners, Lindsay McElwee, executive director, and Suzanne Lozano, community development manager, cultivated an incredible relationship. 

    #1 Real Men Wear Pink campaign

    The Real Men Wear Pink of Capital Region campaign in New York State raised a record breaking $386,900 and claimed the #1 spot for the second year in a row! Congratulations to Lizzie Hunter, senior manager, and Amanda Lee, community development manager, for their work with the Capital Region campaign.

    For a complete list of the top 10 Real Men Wear Pink candidates and campaigns, visit the Real Men Wear Pink website.


  • Peer-to-Peer fundraising challenge passes halfway point

    Relay For Life, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, select DetermiNation, and other events are rallying together to fund the fight against cancer through a first-ever, collaborative Fund the Future fall incentive challenge which ends on Friday, Oct. 30, at noon CST.

    So far, more than 3,304 participants have raised at least $250 and earned a long-sleeve, hooded t-shirt. Since Oct. 1, more than $3.1 million has been raised across our peer-to-peer properties. The Peer-to-Peer Fund the Future fundraising challenge leaderboard is updated twice a week with the latest results.

    Here’s how this challenge works:

    • All challenge participants who raise $250 or more online between Oct. 1 - Oct. 30, 2020 at Noon CST are eligible to receive a gray, long-sleeve, hooded t-shirt, with their choice of Relay For Life, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, DetermiNation or ACS logo.
    • Only online and mobile app donations (including checks deposited via the app) qualify.
    • On a weekly basis, qualified participants will receive an email containing a redemption code to claim their shirt and will be able to identify a shipping address.

    Here’s how you can help:

    • Since word-of-mouth is our most powerful tool, share the challenge with friends and family, encouraging them to sign up and begin fundraising. See below for sample social media posts.
    • You can always share local and national social media posts on personal social media pages. 

    Sample Social Media Posts

    • Strides: We are stronger together. For the first time ever, join all American Cancer Society event participants in a critical nationwide challenge to fund the future. 79% of cancer patients report delays in care due to the pandemic - and they need our support! Sign up and raise $250 online between Oct. 1-30 and earn a gray Making Strides hooded T-shirt.
    • Active/DetermiNation: We are stronger together. For the first time ever, join all American Cancer Society event participants in a critical nationwide challenge to fund the future. 79% of cancer patients report delays in care due to the pandemic - and they need our support! Sign up and raise $250 online between Oct. 1-30 and earn a gray DetermiNation hooded T-shirt.
    • Relay: We are stronger together. For the first time ever, join all American Cancer Society event participants in a critical nationwide challenge to fund the future. 79% of cancer patients report delays in care due to the pandemic - and they need our support! Sign up and raise $250 online between Oct. 1-30 and earn a gray Relay hooded T-shirt.

  • Sign up for our Strides Across America Walk Challenge, Oct. 18-31

    The American Cancer Society hosted its first-ever national Making Strides broadcast on Sunday, Oct. 18. Strides Live Across America ensures every community and survivor has an opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated. This broadcast showcased and united breast cancer survivors and communities from coast to coast. If you missed it, you can watch the replay on MakingStridesWalk.org.

    Making Strides participants are invited to go the distance during the new Strides Across America Walk Challenge, Oct. 18-31, 2020. Those interested can sign up now to prepare for our 5-mile virtual walk beginning on Oct. 18 – and then continue the Making Strides movement by logging 279,100 miles together during the virtual walk challenge.

    As one nationwide community, let’s walk a mile in honor of every person that will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Challenge participants can unlock exclusive content, safely enjoy connecting with supporters across the country, and keep the Making Strides spirit alive in October! To signup, visit MakingStridesWalk.org. 

    Even though we are apart this year, there are plenty of unique events and activations happening in many markets across the country. Please be sure to check out your local event page to learn more about Making Strides activities close to home.
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