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ACS supporters get an inside look at advancing screening and early detection

On Wednesday, April 30, the American Cancer Society hosted an exclusive Inside Look webinar to share the latest advancements in cancer prevention and early detection. The presentation is now available to all supporters to view on their own time and learn more about this important mission work.

During the one-hour program, attendees heard from ACS leaders and subject matter experts, including:

  • Center for Early Cancer Detection Science: Dr. Robert Smith, PhD, senior vice president for Cancer Screening, shared insights on the development of new cancer screening guidelines.

  • CancerRisk360: Dr. Laura Makaroff, senior vice president for Cancer Prevention, introduced the new, online free assessment tool CancerRisk360, which helps people understand and reduce their individual cancer risk.

  • Access to Screening: Pam Traxel, senior vice president of ACS Cancer Action Network (CAN), discussed how we're working to make cancer screenings more accessible for everyone.

The webinar is available for viewing at any time on YouTube. For more information, please connect with your ACS staff partner.

  • Making cancer care less ruff with ECHO

    What has four paws, a wagging tail, and the power to ease pain, lower stress, and bring smiles to kids with cancer? You guessed it — therapy dogs!

    ACS recently wrapped up its six-month Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) in Cancer ECHO program, and it’s safe to say—it was a howling success! With 138 participants from across the country, the program aimed to expand access to the healing magic of hospital facility dogs for children, teens, and their caregivers navigating cancer treatment.

    And these pups aren’t just cute; they’re doing serious work. AAT has been shown to help kids feel less pain during needle sticks, reduce stress and irritability, and even boost energy levels. Best of all, they make hospitals feel more like home.

    The ECHO program welcomed child life specialists and hospital administrators eager to start or grow AAT programs in pediatric oncology.  The ECHO program offered professional development units (PDUs) for child life professionals. Participants received expert guidance from subject matter experts on hospital facility dog program design, best practices, and hospital implementation. Topics covered everything from clinical interventions to funding and infection control—because keeping things clean and safe is part of the job, even for the fluffiest team members.​

    “This was a wonderful way to learn about each topic from real-life experiences, connect with other professionals, and earn PDUs.” - ECHO participant

    And the results speak for themselves:

    • 78% of attendees reported feeling “very” or “extremely” knowledgeable about AAT after the program—a more than twofold jump from where they started
    • 87% said they’re likely to use what they learned in their work

    Knowledge gained from the ECHO program will be incorporated into a hospital implementation guide for AAT in cancer care, available in the fall through the Cancer Prevention & Survivorship team.

  • Replay available for Patient Support Virtual Volunteer Summit

    ​Volunteers who made a significant impact in 2024 were recognized and appreciated during the second annual Patient Support Virtual Volunteer Summit on Wednesday, April 23. If you were unable to join live, you can watch a recording on YouTube. 

    The summit honored the 2024 Patient Support Volunteer Award winners, celebrating their exceptional commitment to ensuring no one faces cancer alone. Their stories served as powerful reminders of the difference volunteers make every day across our communities. 

    More than 700 people attended the summit, and the feedback keeps coming! Guests are calling the celebration inspiring and empowering – two sentiments that were evident in the live event chat where messages of encouragement, gratitude, and love flowed in from all corners of the country, along with a flurry of 😍, 🎉, and 👏 emojis. 

    See what attendees are saying about the summit and why they love to volunteer: 

    One of my riders sent me a video of himself ringing the bell, and he told me I helped save his life. That's what it's all about.

    I really liked how the speakers took the time to briefly describe the awardees' contributions and backstories. It was engaging to have a different leadership member introduce each category of awardee volunteers, too. It helped me better understand the depth and breadth of ACS.

    I truly believe in the Pay it Forward philosophy. I know what we do has that effect!

    Today, more than ever, it is inspiring and heartwarming to see all of these wonderful, unselfish, giving people!

    ​Award winners honored during the event included: 

    National Volunteer Award Winners  

    • Volunteer Leadership Award: Ella A. Kazerooni, MD, MS 
    • Volunteer Leadership Award: Suzy Lawrence 
    • Patient Support Volunteer Award for Excellence: Jeff Molby 
    • Lane Adams Quality of Life Award: Dr. Danielle Noreika 
    • Health System Partner of the Year Award (Large): Cedars Sinai Health System 
    • Health System Partner of the Year Award (Mid/Small): Highland Medical Center 

    Program Award Winners 

    • ACS CARES 
      • ACS CARES Student Leadership Award: Corinne Bovee, University of Iowa, and Sarah Frielich, University of Iowa 
      • ACS CARES Community Volunteer Award: John Bailey 
      • ACS CARES Health System Champion Award: Denver Health 
    • Hope Lodge 
      • Margot S. Freudenberg Rookie of the Year Award: Chiamaka Ikeh
      • Margot S. Freudenberg Memorial Award: Phil Beckenhauer
      • Margot S. Freudenberg Group Award: Slow Food Emory
    • Road To Recovery 
      • Rookies of the Year : Nipun Hewage, Lorrie Pate, Barbara Inderhees, Dan Gentile, and John “Wes” Mitchell 
      • Pacesetters of the Year: Ron Schwarzman, Ronald Piscitelli, Kathleen Cotter, Laura Moran, and Karen Nichols 
      • Outstanding Volunteer Awards: Wayne Scott, Mike Gunter, Sean Moroney, Joseph Sutton, and Susan Wilkinson 
      • Partners of the Year: AdventHealth (Florida), Jeff Molby (Michigan), and Rochester NY Area Board of Advisors (New York)  ​

    Visit the special site created to share more about our inspiring award winners and patient support volunteer opportunities.

    The event also featured a heartfelt introduction from Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer, who emphasized the life-changing impact volunteers have on Patient Support programs, as well as remarks from Natasha Coleman, Community Impact vice president, Gary Leipheimer, vice president of Access to Care Solutions, Hillary Grice, quality of life and survivor support manager, Nicole Robertson, director of community navigation, and Tamara Fernandez, vice president of Hope Lodge and ACS EMPOWER. ​

    Share Your Feedback

    Your insights are invaluable to us. To help us enhance future events, we kindly ask that you complete the post-event survey. Your feedback will help shape future volunteer experiences and celebrations.  

    Thank you to the event organizers, speakers, and volunteers who made the summit a success! We are deeply grateful for every person whose unwavering dedication brings hope and support to those impacted by cancer.

  • Hope Lodge expansion to break down barriers to cancer care

    In a move to break down even more barriers to world-class cancer care, the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Baltimore, MD, community broke ground April 8 on a new center across the street from its existing facility. The future 34-guestroom Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Hope Lodge Baltimore will feature eight more guest rooms and modern new amenities, increasing guest capacity by 30% over the present 26-guestroom Hope Lodge Baltimore built in 1987.

    Harkins Builders is constructing within a vacant building on the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, and it is anticipated to be completed within 12 months. The $10 million Hope Lodge Baltimore Capital Campaign is less than $400,000 from completion. 

    Pictured above, Dr. Kevin Cullen, former director, University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, and former ACS National Board Chair, swings a sledgehammer at the groundbreaking ceremony. 

    Pictured at right are, left to right, Dr. Bert O’Malley, CEO, University of Maryland Medical Center; Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, chair, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Board of Directors; Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer, American Cancer Society; Dr. Bill Regine, chair, Baltimore Hope Lodge Capital Campaign, chair, Radiation Oncology at University of Maryland Medical Center, executive director of the Maryland Proton Treatment Center; Retired Lt. Col. Julie Walker, co-chair, Baltimore Hope Lodge Capital Campaign, cancer survivor, and former Baltimore Hope Lodge guest; Dr. Lisa Ishii, senior vice president, Operations, Johns Hopkins Health System; and Lisa Lacasse, president, ACS CAN.​

    Speakers at the groundbreaking event included:

    • Dr. Arif Kamal, Chief Patient Officer, American Cancer Society 
    • Tswana Sewell, Vice President, American Cancer Society, Greater DC/Baltimore 
    • Jamie McCann, Principal of Philanthropy, American Cancer Society Hope Lodge 
    • Therese Gustitis, General Manager, Hope Lodge Baltimore
    • Dr. William Regine, Director, Maryland Proton Treatment Center, and Chair of Radiation Oncology at University of Maryland Greenbaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Co-Chair of Hope Lodge Baltimore Capital Campaign
    • Lt. Col. (ret.) Julie Walker, cancer survivor and former Hope Lodge guest, and Co-Chair of Hope Lodge Baltimore Capital Campaign
    • Dr. Bruce Jarrell, President, University of Maryland Baltimore  
    • Dr. Kevin Cullen, Professor of Medicine at University of MD School of Medicine; Immediate Past Director, University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, and American Cancer Society 2018 National Board Chair 
    • Dr. Lisa Ishii, Senior Vice President, Operations, Johns Hopkins Health System
    • Alden “Smitty” Bradstock, President, Veteran Design & Construction Inc.; Baltimore Hope Lodge Captial Campaign Committee Member
    • Scott Fader, Chief Operating Officer, MileOne AutoGroup
    • Pete and Gail Mariner, Hope Lodge Baltimore Guests

    Background on Baltimore

    Hope Lodge Baltimore is consistently occupied and often has a waiting list. In 2024, Hope Lodge Baltimore provided more than 13,000 free night stays to more than 500 guests saving them approximately $1.6 million in hotel costs. With hotel rooms approximately $220 a night, the average Hope Lodge guest, who may stay four to eight weeks, saves approximately $10,000, helping alleviate financial challenges such as lost income and medical bills. Guests can prepare their own meals, saving on dining costs. Hope Lodge’s free transportation van gave guests 3,500 rides to treatment last year. Many volunteer groups host meals, donate supplies, and provide entertainment and activities for Hope Lodge.​

  • ACS awards 13 Addressing Barriers to Care grants

    The American Cancer Society’s Addressing Barriers to Care (ABC) grant program recently awarded more than $500,000 to fund 13 community organizations providing services that address food security and nutrition. ACS launched the Addressing Barriers to Care grant program in 2024 to complement its existing programs and grants focused on removing treatment barriers connected to transportation and lodging. This new cohort builds on the success of a 2024 pilot, which underscored the critical need to address food security and nutrition as key factors in improving cancer outcomes. By concentrating specifically on this pivotal social determinant of health, we are poised to create a meaningful and lasting impact within the community.

    According to a January 2024 ACS CAN Survivor Views Survey, 40% of cancer patients and survivors experience some degree of food or nutrition insecurity, and according to American Cancer Society researchers, these hardships are associated with delays in treatment, greater distress, financial toxicity, and a higher risk of relapse and death.

    The 2025 Addressing Barriers to Care grantees include:

    • AMOR Healing Kitchen – Charleston, SC
    • Coalition for Food and Health Equity – Jersey City, NJ
    • Ellie Fund – Needham, MA
    • Food & Friends – Washington, DC
    • Food Outreach – St. Louis, MO
    • God's Love We Deliver, Inc. – New York, NY
    • Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance – Philadelphia, PA
    • Moveable Feast, Inc. – Baltimore, MD
    • Pink Ribbon Good, Inc. – Dayton, OH
    • Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana – New Orleans, LA
    • The Ceres Community Project – Sebastopol, CA
    • The Heimerdinger Foundation – Nashville, TN
    • Vital Access Care Foundation – Fountain Valley, CA​

    ​The program’s grant cycle is 12 months long and runs from April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026.

  • Cancer Wellness Toolkits for employers now available on cancer.org

    The newly launched ACS Cancer Wellness Toolkits, sponsored by Aflac, are comprehensive resources developed to help the organizations that partner with the American Cancer Society impact the lives of their employees and their families by taking steps to prevent cancer and better understand their risk.

    Each toolkit includes guidance and best practices for communicating about screenings, content that can be used in internal communications and health and wellness activities, in addition to ways to get involved in the ACS mission.

    Five cancer-specific and four wellness and support toolkits will be available via the toolkit homepage:

    Cancer Specific Toolkits

    • Breast Cancer Employer Toolkit
    • Colorectal Cancer Employer Toolkit
    • Lung Cancer Employer Toolkit
    • Prostate Cancer Employer Toolkit
    • Skin Cancer Employer Toolkit

    Wellness & Support Toolkits

    • Caregiver Toolkit
    • Healthy Eating & Active Living Toolkit
    • If Your Employee Has Cancer Toolkit
    • Cost of Cancer Toolkit

    Employers can sign up to access the toolkits by visiting the toolkit homepage​. 

  • Join the Patient Support Virtual Summit April 23

    The Patient Support Virtual Summit will highlight the vital work our volunteers do to support people with cancer and their families. The celebration will occur on Wednesday, April 23, from 12 to 1 p.m. ET. All team members, volunteers, and partners are invited. All attendees are encouraged to register ahead of the event. 

    Event Highlights

    • A heartfelt tribute to the invaluable contributions of our volunteers.
    • Special awards presentation to honor those who have gone above and beyond in their dedication in 2024.
    • A special message Chief Patient Officer Dr. Arif Kamal.

    Event Details

    Attendees will also learn about patient support programs, their impact, and volunteer opportunities. The award categories are: 

    • National Volunteer Award Winners 
    • Patient Support – Reach To Recovery Volunteer Excellence Award, ACS CARES Student Standout Leadership Award, ACS CARES Community Volunteer Award, ACS CARES Health System Champion Award
    • Hope Lodge - Margot S. Freudenberg Rookie of the Year Award, Margot S. Freudenberg Memorial Award, Margot S. Freudenberg Group Volunteer Award 
    • Road To Recovery – Rookie of the Year, Pacesetter of the Year, Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Partner of the Year ​

  • ACS awards $9M in transportation and lodging grants

    Cancer care often means frequent medical appointments and travel far from home to get the best treatment. To alleviate the financial burden of cancer treatment, the American Cancer Society has awarded $9 million in transportation and lodging grants. These funds will provide 800,000 transportation and lodging services for approximately 63,000 eligible patients offered through 448 health system partners. The Patient Transportation and Lodging Grant program provides a chance for health systems to build a portfolio of services that meet their community's needs and deliver services to patients who need it most.

    “Transportation obstacles or the cost of a hotel room should not be barriers that determine the survival of those needing cancer treatment,” said Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer. “Providing funding to health systems and organizations across the country to deliver the direct assistance needed helps to fill these equity gaps and improves cancer outcomes.”

    When the most effective treatment requires traveling away from home, patients facing a lack of reliable and affordable transportation and lodging can experience missed appointments, treatment interruptions, and incomplete follow-up care. In a 2023 Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI) study, ACS researchers found that delayed care due to lack of transportation is associated with increased emergency room use and mortality risk among adults with and without cancer history.

    The program’s grant cycle is 12 months long and runs from April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026.

    ACS volunteers can help amplify the grants on social media. 

  • Watch the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month webcast

    Throughout March, the American Cancer Society National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (ACS NCCRT) has been sharing content around three calls to action to support colorectal cancer (CRC) awareness: get screened, encourage your loved ones to get screened, and leverage ACS NCCRT resources to increase CRC screening and drive awareness in your community. 

    Each year, the ACS NCCRT hosts its National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month webcast celebrating national CRC achievements and covering the latest state of the field updates that inform the ACS NCCRT’s work as well as the work of its partners and members. 

    The recording of the 2025 webcast, which took place on March 12, is available now. 

    In the recording, you’ll hear from: 

    • Dr. Priti Bandi, scientific director, Risk Factors & Screening Research, American Cancer Society
    • Other special guests like the 2025 ACS NCCRT National Achievement Awards honorees.

    • ACS NCCRT chair and vice-chair, Steven Itzkowitz, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF, and Gloria Coronado, PhD

    Follow the ACS NCCRT on LinkedIn and X to stay up to date on roundtable news and engagement opportunities. 

    The ACS National Roundtables are a recommended and proven model for creating sustained partnerships across diverse sectors and communities to collaboratively address the most complex problems across the cancer continuum. ACS provides organizational leadership and expertise to support the roundtables and their members in advancing a shared commitment to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. 
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