Sign In

News Story

Advocacy Update - Special Edition

Leadership Summit & Lobby Day saw largest group yet gathered in Washington, D.C.​

A message from ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse

Last week was a powerful reminder of why our public policy advocacy is so crucial in the fight against cancer. Nearly 750 American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) participants–our largest group yet–gathered in Washington, D.C. to advocate on behalf of everyone impacted by cancer. Together, we represented all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and nearly every congressional district during our 18th annual Leadership Summit & Lobby Day (LS&LD)! My sincerest gratitude to everyone who had a hand in planning, executing and engaging in these impactful days of advocacy, including our outstanding team members, ACS CAN Board members, the American Cancer Society (ACS) Board members, and our ACS Executive Leadership Team. 

Keep reading to see the tremendous impact we made together: 

Day 1: Affinity Row, Working to Reach All Communities 

Our LS&LD started with Affinity Row, an opportunity for ACS CAN’s six volunteer affinity groups–the Black Volunteer Caucus (BVC), the LGBTQIA+ & Allies Engagement Group, the ACSí Se Puede Hispanic/Latino Advocacy Alliance, the Asian American & Pacific Islander Volunteer Caucus, the Young Leaders Caucus (YLC), and Indigenous Volunteer Voices–to show the impact they've been making across the country and introduce themselves to new volunteers. There was much to learn from these volunteer communities who are working to ensure ACS CAN engages everyone in the fight against cancer. We were proud to have 130 affinity group members in attendance this year, with more volunteers signing up for affinity groups at the event.

Annual Advocacy Honors Presented to Volunteers and Colleagues

LS&LD continued by celebrating more than a dozen volunteers and colleagues who received special recognition awards for their exceptional work advancing ACS CAN’s mission, including: 

Volunteer Award for Excellence in Advocacy (VAEA) – Patty Avery (IN)

The highest national volunteer advocacy honor bestowed by ACS CAN.

State Lead Ambassador (SLA) of the Year – Caroline Torres Maldonado (PR)

Presented to a lead volunteer who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in advocating for ACS CAN’s area of cancer-related public policy.

Young Leader Award  McKayla McCullah (HI) and Kira Sano (CA)

Presented to a state volunteer who has demonstrated an exciting promise in their start with ACS CAN by taking advantage of new opportunities to advocate for cancer patients.

State Advocacy Team of the Year Team New York

Presented to combined staff and volunteer teams that have worked together to make a significant impression in cancer-related public policy.

Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT) Leads of the YearLaura LaRose (CA), Gina Posada (TX) and Debra Nevels (WI)

Presented to a lead congressional district volunteer who has demonstrated remarkable leadership advocating for ACS CAN’s areas of cancer-related public policy.

ACS Partner of the Year – Jeff Hille (Financial Analysis & Planning, ACS) Presented to an American Cancer Society team member who collaborates with ACS CAN to advance its mission to reduce the cancer burden through public policy change.

Dave Woodmansee Award for Excellence – Trista Hargrove (Media Advocacy Communications)

In honor of longtime ACS CAN State and Local Campaigns Director David Woodmansee, who passed away from cancer in 2019, this award is presented to a team member who has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in the areas of advocacy and public policy.

Field Government Relations Professional of the Year – Emily Kalmer (MO)

Presented to a government relations professional who has worked tirelessly to make a powerful, lasting impression in cancer-related public policy.

Field Grassroots Professional of the Year – Britta Babel (MN)

Presented to an ACS CAN team member whose collaborative efforts further the achievement of advocacy-related mission goals.

National Professional of the Year – Marissa Beasley (Alliance Development)

Presented to a team member who has made significant contributions to ACS CAN through their cancer advocacy work.

A complete list of each recipient's accomplishments is available herePlease take a minute to reach out with a note of congratulations to these outstanding advocates – they would love to hear from you! 

Day 2: Leadership Summit: Preparing for an Impactful Hill Day

Each year, we spend Monday preparing our volunteer teams for Tuesday’s Capitol Hill meetings with lawmakers and deep dive into our legislative asks. This year, we welcomed even more participants to our main stage. In their role as our inaugural LS&LD emcees, National Ambassador Team members Jacqueline Beale and Lori Bremner reminded us of the power of connection and forging friendships as we continue to advocate for life-saving policies. Prior to morning breakout sessions, ACS CAN Board Chair Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard and ACS Board Chair Brian Marlow ignited our energy levels and emphasized that our cause is clear: We are saving lives from cancer. I then addressed our volunteers, focusing on how precious time is in this fight and thanking them for the countless hours they spend advocating on behalf of ACS CAN.

During our mid-day session, we listened to a conversation with ACS Chief Scientific Officer Dr. William Dahut and 17th National Cancer Institute Director Dr. W. Kimryn Rathmell who discussed “the why” behind our cancer research funding asks: $51.3 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health, including just under $8 billion for cancer research at the NCI.

We later participated in Hill meeting prep and heard from our Federal Advocacy team who walked us through the fundamentals of our asks and some on-stage role playing on how best to engage with lawmakers. We also underscored the importance of including advocates’ personal experiences and stories in sharing our priorities. 

2024 CAN Opener

Our CAN Opener event this year was out of this world! More than 600 attendees danced the night away “To Boldly Go Where No Cancer Advocates Have Gone Before” in our space-themed attire. We saw astronauts and aliens alike, all joined by the common cause of our cancer advocacy work. The event raised over $47k for ACS CAN’s critical public policy advocacy work, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. ACS CAN’s Silent Auction also raised over $11k for our mission with competitive bids on several items including signed memorabilia, a Chanel tote bag, custom cakes and attire!  


Day 3: Lobby Day: Blue Shirt Brigade Brings Cancer Fight to Capitol Hill

To ensure cancer is a top priority on Capitol Hill, ACS CAN’s advocates, including patients, survivors and family members, donned their signature blue shirts to meet with their lawmakers.

Before heading to the Hill, we celebrated our elected officials who have been champions of our work. On Tuesday morning, we heard from our federal National Distinguished Advocacy Award (NDAA) recipients. This award is the highest national advocacy honor bestowed by ACS CAN to elected officials who have demonstrated tremendous leadership in the fight against cancer. 

  • Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) joined us in the ballroom to accept her NDAA award for her commitment to improving access to cancer screenings, particularly her introduction of the Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act. 
  • Representative Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) also received the NDAA award for his tireless dedication to cancer patients and introducing the Clinical Trial Modernization Act, which would make it easier for more patients to participate in the best trial options available.  

We then headed to the Hill. ACS CAN advocates participated in meetings with every Senate office and 376 House offices, including 83 member-level meetings and 142 senior staff-level meetings. These are particularly impressive numbers given that we are in an election season! Volunteers reported back positive and insightful conversations with their lawmakers that yielded increased support for and co-sponsorship of our priority issues.

Advocates urged their lawmakers to: 

  • Support the highest possible increases for cancer research in the FY25 funding bill 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 support $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 Screening Coverage Act.  

Volunteers also introduced an issue that will be critical in the coming months and in the new year: making the Affordable Care Act Enhanced Tax Credits permanent to ensure affordable access to comprehensive health care insurance for patients and survivors.

Lights of Hope 2024

Our Lights of Hope DC Hope Walk display included 10,000 decorated Lights of Hope bags honoring or remembering loved ones impacted by cancer, as well as 53, 7-ft story columns highlighting one story from each state or territory. The rain could not dampen the spirits of the hundreds of advocates and supporters who joined us to view the beautiful display at Constitution Gardens on the National Mall. Nationwide we will display nearly 80,000 Lights of Hope all across America, including the 10,000 that were illuminated here in Washington, DC. I highly encourage you to scroll through the many beautiful images shared by volunteers on social media with #LightsofHope.  

To date, volunteer fundraising in 2024 is at $833,120 and counting, including more than $790,000 from Lights of Hope! Nationwide, we have over 222 local sponsors of Lights of Hope. Special thank you to our State Premier sponsors: 

  • Baptist Health Cancer Care
  • CARTI
  • CEO's Against Cancer Houston and North Texas Chapters
  • Ergon
  • GRAIL 
  • Maryland/District of Columbia Society of Clinical Oncology
  • Natera
  • OU Health - Stephenson Cancer Center
  • The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute 
  • Omar Rashid, MD, JD, LLC

There is still time to support Lights of Hope before our October 15 fundraising deadline.

Thank you to every volunteer, colleague and partner who made this moving, impactful event a reality!

Day 4: Celebration Close Out 

Wednesday morning allowed us to reflect on our Hill Day, celebrate our impact, and boldly face the work ahead. We honored our three state NDAA recipients for their strong leadership in the fight to end cancer as we know it, for everyone:

  • Pennsylvania State Senator Devlin Robinson (R) was recognized for sponsoring his state’s Paid Family & Medical Leave Act and advocating for the passage of biomarker legislation to help ensure that patients have access to the most effective treatment for their cancer or illness, and his advocacy for passage of biomarker legislation that helps to ensure that patients have access to the most effective treatment for their cancer or illness. 
  • Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) was recognized for his significant contribution to protecting Minnesotans from the harms of commercial tobacco, the cause of roughly 30% of all cancer deaths, and medical debt relief work. He took on Big Tobacco by taking JUUL and Altria to trial, securing more than $60 million. 
  • Colorado Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera (D) was recognized for her efforts to ensure every Coloradan has access to lifesaving cancer screenings and treatment. A cancer survivor herself, her track record of cancer advocacy includes passage of a bill ensuring insurance coverage for annual breast cancer screening for all individuals possessing at least one risk factor. 
  • We also celebrated the work of this year’s Judicial Advocacy Initiative recipient, Cybil Roehrenbeck, of Hogan Lovells. Cybil has used her tremendous Medicare expertise to assist ACS CAN and its partners in the Patient Quality of Life Coalition (PQLC) to draft comments on the annual Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

The celebrations continued as Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard recognized top volunteer fundraisers, including the top ten Lights of Hope fundraisers who collectively raised more than $186,936!

Each year, we come together because we have all been touched by cancer in some way. This year, members of ACS CAN’s Young Leaders Caucus held a panel discussion to remind us that no one is immune from the impacts of cancer. Our general session, Young Adult Storytellers and Implications for Policy included:

  • Gladys Arias, MPA, Principal for Health Equity Policy Analysis and Legislative Support who moderated our discussion. 
  • Remy Kennedy, Kentucky ACT Lead, who shared her experience as a caretaker to her father, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in 2013. In her remarks, she highlighted the importance of paid family medical leave. 
  • Jennifer Schultz, Minnesota Vice SLA, who is a four-time melanoma survivor and cancer research advocate. Her words reminded us of the importance of alleviating medical debt. 
  • Alique Topalian, PhD, MPH, who is a two-time cancer survivor. Alique started her cancer advocacy at the age of 7 and was the first person ever to relapse after 22 years. She shared her journey to start a family, highlighting the necessity of fertility preservation. 

We concluded LS&LD with a conversation between FOX 5 DC Meteorologist and cancer survivor Jennifer Delgado and Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, artist and advocate Suleika JaouadSuleika documented her odyssey of illness, healing and self-discovery in the instant New York Times bestselling memoir Between Two Kingdoms, which has been translated to over twenty languages. The discussion between the two was intimate and personal and elevated the importance of our work. We shared our appreciation and well wishes with Suleika who is now facing leukemia once again–a diagnosis she learned of just last month. We were inspired by her choice to be “defiantly joyful” while also embracing the daily challenges and realities of her treatment experiences. Centering her story echoed what so many ACS CAN advocates experience, all which fuels us as we continue to advocate for life-saving cancer policies. 

Amplifying Our Advocacy

In conjunction with LS&LD Day, ACS CAN launched another compelling ad as part of our ongoing “Fight Cancer: Make Time” campaign, to remind lawmakers they have the power to make more time by prioritizing cancer and urge support for the highest possible funding levels for cancer research.

Media coverage for Lights of Hope and LS&LD featured volunteers sharing what the event meant to them and highlights of their time in DC. Volunteers participated in 34 interviews in the lead up to and on Lobby Day through our radio and TV media tour, that included national and regional media outlets, as well as several multicultural media outlets serving Spanish-speaking and Black communities. To date, coverage related to our events has been secured in more than 86 media markets resulting in more than 296 media clips. We look forward to seeing additional letters to the editor and post-event articles appear in volunteers’ local media outlets as a follow-up to their successful lobby day. 

Attendees also amplified our efforts across social media, with nearly 4,000 posts using the hashtags #CancerLobbyDay and #LightsOfHope, more than 40,300 engagements, 8.5 million accounts reached, totaling an absolute reach of 19 million and counting! Lawmakers and national organizations across the country also amplified our efforts, including NDAA award recipients Senator Capito (R-WV) and Representative Ruiz (D-CA) as well as Senator Cortez (D-NV) and Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL-16) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02), just to name a few. The NCAA and the National Association of Basketball Coaches even got in on the action.

Your work helped get our message to millions. Let's keep the drumbeat going!


LS&LD in the News

Gray TV: Iowa cancer survivors lobby on Capitol Hill

Spectrum News: Cancer advocates push for funding, legislation on Capitol Hill

Impacto Latino: New York Activists Travel to Washington, D.C., to Urge Congress to Prioritize the Fight Against Cancer (Spanish)

Cancer Health: Cancer Patients and Survivors Urge Congress to Make Cancer a National Priority

KOLO 9 Reno: NV Cancer Advocates Push for More Funding, Early Detection Testing

KXNET Bismarck : Bismarck cancer survivors going to D.C. convention

WJLA: 10,000 ‘Lights of Hope’ Honor Cancer Survivors

WBZ Nightside: 700 Cancer Advocates Urge MA Lawmakers to Pass Groundbreaking Cancer Detection Bill


back to top