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ACS to offer clinical trials navigation certificate in 2025

​On Nov. 21, in support of President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative, ACS announced that it will offer a first-of-its-kind Clinical Trials Navigation certificate for professionals providing non-clinical navigation services in 2025. This expansion of ACS’ existing Leadership in Oncology Navigation (ACS LION) program represents a significant step forward as ACS contributes to a multi-year effort driven by the Biden Cancer Moonshot to expand access to high-quality navigation services for patients and their families navigating treatment for cancer and other serious illnesses. Pictured above are, from left to right, Dr. Shanthi Sivendran, senior vice president, Cancer Treatment Support; Dr. Bonny Morris, vice president, Navigation; Dr. Harold Freeman, the father of patient navigation, and Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer.

Clinical trials are critical to the development and advancement of new treatments for cancer; however, nearly 20% of cancer clinical trials are unsuccessful due to lack of patient participation. While approximately 70% of American cancer patients are inclined or willing to engage in clinical trials, only 3% to 6% of eligible cancer patients participate, given trial recruitment, enrollment, and retention barriers. 

To address these barriers and increase access to innovative clinical trial research, the new ACS LION Clinical Trials Certificate, available in January 2025, will equip professionals providing navigation services with the knowledge and skills to make clinical trials more accessible to patients. The enhanced support from patient navigators will enable more patients to gain access to potentially life-saving treatments and resources.


“Access to clinical trials can play a crucial role in a patient’s cancer journey by providing new treatment options that wouldn’t otherwise be available. Patient navigators can help ensure patients have equitable access to clinical trials, but more training is needed to standardize how professionals guide patients through the complexities of the healthcare system,” said Wayne A.  I. Frederick, MD, MBA, interim chief executive officer.  “ACS is proud to support the Biden Cancer Moonshot by leveraging our experience and scale to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.” 

“For over 30 years, ACS has led the way in establishing the field of navigation. ACS has funded dedicated provider and patient programs, developed training curricula, and united collaborators through the ACS National Navigation Roundtable,” said Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer. “By continuing to empower professional navigators, in active partnership with oncology providers and the cancer community, we can create more opportunities for patients and their families to access these critical services, helping them make informed treatment decisions and ultimately resulting in better outcomes.”  

ACS LION was launched in January 2024 following the change by CMS to cover nonclinical services related to patient navigation, a widely recognized intervention that helps individuals, caregivers, and families through cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Achieving consistent, reliable cancer navigation nationwide requires standardization of training that adheres to best practices. 

Pictured above, Dr. Sivendran, seated second from right, participated in a panel discussion at the White House Navigation Summit.

  • 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

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    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.

  • Brief urges court to protect LGBTQ+ patients

    On Nov. 26, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the American Cancer Society along with 24 groups representing millions of health care professionals and patients with serious and chronic health conditions filed an amicus curiae (also known as friend of the court) brief, in the case of State of Tennessee et al. v. Becerra in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The amicus brief supports maintaining nondiscrimination protections in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) patients receiving health care services.  

    At the core of the case is whether the nondiscrimination provision in the ACA should be interpreted broadly to include protections against discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation, or narrowly based on the sex a person is assigned to at birth, as a lower court ruled in July 2024. 

    In the amicus brief, the groups note that LGBTQ+ patients already face major health disparities, and if upheld, the lower court’s decision would reduce protections for LGBTQ+ individuals against discrimination and further exacerbate these disparities, resulting in even worse health outcomes.  

    Following is the groups’ joint statement:  

    “As organizations that represent millions of health care professionals and people with serious and chronic health conditions and disabilities, we ask the court to reverse the U.S. District Court ruling and preserve the anti-discrimination protections against LGBTQ+ individuals that Congress adopted when it passed the ACA. Rolling back these protections would undermine the ability of LGBTQ+ people to get timely medical care and preventive screenings, which are critical to better health outcomes. Discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity can be particularly harmful for people with chronic conditions and disabilities, who often must rely on health care professionals for access to lifesaving treatments. 

    “LGBTQ+ people face distinct challenges in obtaining health care due to discrimination and the fear of discrimination. A report released earlier this year noted that the greatest health disparity faced by LGBTQ+ people is perhaps the presumption-of-care gap, which is the fear that a health care provider will refuse care because of gender identity or sexual orientation. LGBTQ+ cancer patients and survivors have reported delaying or forgoing care because of fears and concerns about discrimination. 

    Additional research has shown that transgender men and women especially are more likely to report postponement of health care utilization due to fear of discrimination, as well as to have experienced discrimination in a health care setting. LGBTQ+ people also experience higher rates of mental health disorders, rates that are at least partly due to the excess stress they experience because of discrimination. Moreover, increased levels of stress related to discrimination have led to worse health outcomes among LGBTQ+ people and can directly contribute to increased risk of chronic diseases like heart disease or cancer. 

    “Everyone deserves to have timely access to health care without fear of discrimination. We urge the court to protect patients as intended by the health care law.” 

  • ACS NCCRT Annual Meeting convened hundreds

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    Between Nov. 20 - 22, more than 250 colorectal cancer experts, thought leaders, and advocates from across the nation convened in Fort Worth, TX for the American Cancer Society National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (ACS NCCRT) Annual Meeting. 

    This year’s ACS NCCRT meeting saw record attendance, with attendees hailing from more than 225 member organizations. Participants shared ideas, innovations, and strategies for achieving their shared goal of reaching colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates of 80% in every community. 

    Presenters covered a wide range of topics, including: 

    • Trends in colorectal cancer screening rates 
    • Actions to promote health equity 
    • Updates on early-age onset disease 
    • Advances in colorectal cancer treatment 
    • Profiles of success from community health centers and health systems 

    The ACS NCCRT also engaged participants in identifying opportunities and strategizing around how the roundtable can improve outcomes across the colorectal cancer continuum beyond its historical focus on screening.​


    Lisa C. Richardson, MD, MPH, was presented with the ACS NCCRT Distinguished National Leadership Award by ACS NCCRT Chair, Dr. Steven Itzkowitz. As Director of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and an ACS NCCRT Steering Committee member, Dr. Richardson has been at the forefront of advancing cancer screening across the nation. 

    Many thanks to the ACS NCCRT team for making this meeting possible, including Kaitlin Sylvester, Emily Bell, and Aubree Thelen.  

  • Event helps close the gap in access to lung cancer screening

    On Saturday, Nov. 9, the ACS National Lung Cancer Roundtable promoted the third annual National Lung Cancer Screening Day in partnership with GO2 for Lung Cancer, Radiology Health Equity Coalition, and American College of Radiology.

    Early detection saves lives, yet fewer than 1 in 10 eligible individuals are screened for lung cancer. This initiative aims to address a major barrier to access by encouraging screening centers to open their doors on a Saturday. With most centers operating Monday through Friday, patients who can’t take time off work face significant challenges in getting screened.

    More than 675 organizations and individuals, including 125 Veterans Affairs Screening Centers, joined forces to host and promote National Lung Cancer Screening Day events, with an incredible 40% of participating sites signing up for the first time this year. The initiative generated nearly 15,000 impressions and 600 engagements across ACS NLCRT’s social media channels, and the President’s Cancer Panel further amplified ACS NLCRT’s message, applauding this effort as a meaningful step toward closing the gap in access to lung cancer screening.

    Michigan hosted the most sites at 48, with Illinois a close second with 47. 

    “We were able to get other providers to volunteer their time and added skin checks, mammograms, and oral/head/neck cancer screenings. With this, we had over 60 participants total. It increased awareness of the event,” said Lily Birkeland of the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

    “Because our site is open on Saturday, we did a CME education event that was open to clinicians and the public on lung cancer screening and lung cancer. Many nurses attending who were not educated about filling out the smoking history in Epic to have the health maintenance queue the PCP to order a lung cancer screening. We are hoping this education will help increase our number of screenings,” said Jennifer Aversano of Endeavor Health Northwest Community Hospital.


  • 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. 
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