​Annual event will be the first in-person one since 2019.

Next week, approximately 600 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones will travel to Washington, D.C., for the first in-person American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day since 2019. From Sept. 11 to 14, ACS CAN advocates will represent all 50 states and nearly every congressional district as they convene on Capitol Hill to ask Congress to make the fight against cancer a national priority.

Stay Up to Date

All team members are encouraged to follow Leadership Summit & Lobby Day activities on social media. Live updates and photos will be shared throughout the week with the #CancerLobbyDay and #LightsofHope hashtags. Check Society Source and ACS2Go and ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse’s Twitter account @LLacasseACSCAN for updates throughout the week

View event agenda online for full details of the week’s robust agenda. Highlights are below.

Sunday, Sept. 11 

Hundreds of volunteers will reach their destination at the Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel in D.C. on Sunday in time to attend listening sessions, network opportunities and the annual ACS CAN Advocacy Awards Dinner. Dedicated ACS CAN volunteers and staff will be recognized for their outstanding work in cancer advocacy. Check ACS2Go and Society Source on Monday, Sept. 12, for a full list of award recipients. 

Listening Sessions for Volunteers 

Connect & Chat with the Black Volunteer Caucus and the LGBTQ+ & Allies Engagement Group 

As part of its ongoing health equity work and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, ACS CAN will be hosting a networking opportunity to connect with the organization’s two volunteer leadership groups, the Black Volunteer Caucus (BVC) and the LGBTQ+ & Allies Engagement Group, about the goals the groups have been working towards, upcoming activities, involvement and engagement tips for local and state efforts.

Hispanic/Latino and Asian American and Pacific Islander Volunteer Listening Sessions 

ACS CAN will also host small facilitated group sessions for ACS CAN volunteers who are members of the Hispanic/Latino and Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their experiences, advice, concerns, and ideas on authentic recruitment, engagement, and retention of volunteers from Hispanic/Latino and Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Monday, Sept. 12 

Advocates will spend Monday in breakout and training sessions to prepare for lawmaker meetings on Tuesday. The day will conclude with festivities at the CAN Opener Dinner and Dancing Celebration, a fundraiser event for ACS CAN. 

ACS CAN Silent Auction 

ACS CAN Online Silent Auction began on Sept. 7, with items collected and/or donated by ACS CAN staff and volunteers nationwide. Bidding is open to everyone and is not restricted to those attending Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Examples of donated items include, ACS CAN branded items, signed memorabilia, sweet treats, jewelry, gift baskets and much more. Visit ACS CAN’s Online Silent Auction website to preview available items. The online auction will close after the CAN Opener Celebration at 9:10pm ET.

Tuesday, Sept. 13 

On Sept. 13, which is Lobby Day, ACS CAN volunteers will visit Capitol Hill and ask members of Congress to: 

• Support increased funding for cancer research and prevention programs with at least $49 million for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including $7.7 billion for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
• Support $462.6 million in increased funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cancer programs, including $225 million for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP).
• Improve diversity in clinical trials through co-sponsorship of the DIVERSE Trials Act (H.R. 5030/S. 2706).
• Advance the Multi Cancer Early Detection Screening Act (H.R.1946/S. 1873), which will help create a clear pathway for Medicare coverage of future multi-cancer early detection tests once FDA approved and clinical benefit is shown.  

NCAA Division I basketball coaches James Jones of Yale University and Fran McCaffery from the University of Iowa will join ESPN sports analyst Sean Farnham, ACS Board Member Margaret McCaffery, and LPS Consulting CEO LaTonya Story to rally advocates before they go to Capitol Hill for meetings with lawmakers. The coaches are members of Coaches vs. Cancer, a nationwide collaboration between ACS and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.  

Following the Coaches vs. Cancer send-off, federal and state lawmakers will receive ACS CAN’s National Distinguished Advocacy Award for their leadership in the fight against cancer during a breakfast reception. Throughout the day, volunteers will participate in interviews as part of a radio and television media tour ACS CAN’s Advocacy Communications team coordinated to promote Leadership Summit & Lobby Day and ACS CAN’s legislative priorities. 

Later in the day, ACS CAN will host Lights of Hope, a solemn display featuring nearly 20,000 lights lining the Constitution Garden’s pond, honoring cancer survivors and memorializing those who have died from the disease. Nearly 60,000 lights are being included in similar displays across the country to deliver a powerful message of hope nationwide and motivate lawmakers to act on policies that will reduce the cancer burden. Lights of Hope is made possible with the generous support of Bristol Myers Squibb. 

Wednesday, Sept. 14  

Leadership Summit and Lobby Day will conclude on Wednesday with a keynote address from Julia Sweeney, cancer survivor, actress/comedian and Saturday Night Live alum followed by a special event recap presentation.