More than 700 cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones will travel to Washington, D.C.
From Sept. 15 to 18, more than 700 cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones will travel to Washington, D.C., for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) annual Leadership Summit & Lobby Day (LS&LD). ACS CAN advocates representing all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Guam and Puerto Rico, and nearly every congressional district will convene on Capitol Hill to ask Congress to make the fight against cancer a national priority. Photos above are from last year's event.
Schedule of Events
Sunday, Sept. 15
Volunteers will reach their destination at the Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel in D.C. on Sunday in time to attend meet and greet opportunities, such as discussions with ACS CAN’s Volunteer Affinity Groups, visiting the New Volunteer Welcome and the Ask Lounge and attending the annual ACS CAN National Advocacy Leadership Awards Dinner – where dedicated ACS CAN volunteers and team members will be recognized for their outstanding work in cancer advocacy. Check ACS2Go and Society Source on Monday, Sept. 16 for a full list of award recipients.
Monday.Sept. 16
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 from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., an annual fundraiser for ACS CAN, open to ticket holders (see below).
CAN Opener Party
This year’s theme, “To Boldly Go Where No Cancer Advocates Have Gone Before,” provides attendees with a fun opportunity to get a little creative and come dressed in their favorite space-themed attire. There will be a sit-down dinner, live DJ, photobooth and much more. To purchase a $60 ticket online, visit 2024 CAN Opener at fightcancer.org by Sept. 12. Tickets will also be available onsite by the LS&LD registration table on Sept. 15 from 12 noon until 3 p.m. for $70. If you or someone you know would like to attend the CAN Opener, but cannot afford the ticket price, please contact ACS CAN Associate Director of Distinguished Events Chelsea Herman.
ACS CAN Silent Auction
ACS CAN’s Online Silent Auction will be held Sept. 11 until Monday Sept. 16, 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 LS&LD. Examples of donated items include, ACS CAN branded items, signed memorabilia, sweet treats, jewelry, gift baskets and much more. ACS CAN’s Online Silent Auction website will go live on Sept. 11 to preview available items. The online auction will close after the CAN Opener Celebration on Sept. 16 at 8:40 p.m. ET. For additional information, contact ACS CAN Senior Development Manager Molly Waite.
Tuesday, Sept. 17
On Sept. 17, ACS CAN volunteers will kick off the “Lobby Day” portion of LS&LD by asking members of Congress to:
- Support the highest possible increases for cancer research with $51.3 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including $ 7.934 billion for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and $1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Also requesting $472.4 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) cancer programs, including $230 million for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
- Support final passage of H.R. 2407/S. 2085, the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act. This legislation will create a pathway for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer screening tests once they are approved by the FDA and clinical benefit has been shown.
ACS CAN will also honor federal lawmakers and others who have made exemplary contributions to the cancer fight with its annual National Distinguished Advocacy Award (NDAA) presentation. This year’s recipients are U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia) and U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz (D-California).
Beginning at 7 p.m. ET, ACS CAN will host its annual Lights of Hope Walk, a solemn display featuring nearly 10,000 lights at Constitution Garden on the National Mall, and state columns honoring cancer survivors and memorializing those who have died from the disease. Nearly 65,000 additional bags will be on display at similar events nationwide.
Wednesday. Sept. 18
LS&LD will conclude on Wednesday with a keynote address from Suleika Jaouad, Emmy award-winning New York Times author, artist, advocate and cancer survivor. ACS CAN’s annual President’s Recognition Ceremony will start the morning, with awards recognizing lawmakers and pro bono legal work, followed by recognition of the top 10 volunteers who raised the most funds for Lights of Hope.
State and local NDAA recipients Colorado Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, along with Pennsylvania State Senator Devlin Robinson, will be honored for their commitment in the fight against cancer for everyone.
ACS CAN will also present the Judicial Advocacy Initiative (JAI) award, which recognizes excellence in attorneys who donate services to the cancer fight to support its mission.
Stay Connected
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. Please be sure to amplify on your own channels.
Check Society Source and ACS2Go and ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse’s X account @LLacasseACSCAN for updates throughout the week.
In addition to accessing the event website, registered participants can also reference the LS&LD event app to stay up to date with content and view event materials and helpful resources.
