The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network works to secure policies that will enable access to quality cancer care, regardless of people's insurance status or ability to pay. ACS CAN does this by educating voters, candidates, lawmakers, and the media on cancer issues and research. ACS CAN holds lawmakers accountable for votes on cancer-related issues and empowers its grassroots army to advocate at the federal and state levels to promote, as well as protect, cancer fighting legislation.

While ACS CAN had been successful in the pursuit of these goals in the past, the idea arose after Celebration on the Hill 2006 to create a more efficient and strategic army. Celebration brought more than 3,500 volunteer advocates to Washington, D.C. in September 2006 for a large rally in support of laws and policies that help people fight cancer. The advocates, who represented every congressional district in the country, met with their members of Congress and participated in other activities on the National Mall to send the message that cancer should be a top national priority. In October of that year, national and Division advocacy staff designed and implemented an enhanced volunteer structure, building on the team concept used during COH 2006 to motivate and utilize volunteers according to Congressional District.

As we continue to fill positions in the structure, our focus remains on motivating our volunteers and sustaining their enthusiasm through frequent communications, training opportunities, and action items.

Our vision for this structure includes the following:

• Volunteer leaders who can impact legislative activity on our issues;
• Volunteers more involved in planning and executing our work;
• Volunteers co-leading sessions at ACS CAN meetings/trainings;
• Volunteers with a solid knowledge of ACS CAN and its priority issues; and

About the Structure >