The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.

Description:
The American Cancer Society, Inc. consists of a National Home Office with 13 chartered Divisions throughout the United States and a presence in most communities.

The National American Cancer Society
The National Home Office is responsible for overall planning and coordination of the Society’s programs for cancer information delivery, cancer control and prevention, advocacy, resource development, and patient services. The National Home Office also provides technical support and materials to Divisions and local offices, and administers the intramural and extramural research programs. The National Board of Directors includes representatives from the Divisions and the general public.

The Divisions
The Society’s 13 Divisions are governed by Division Boards of Directors composed of both medical and lay volunteers throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The Divisions are responsible for program delivery in their regions.

Local Offices
More than 3,400 local offices nationwide are organized to deliver cancer prevention, early detection, and patient services programs at the community level.

Volunteers
More than two million volunteers carry out the Society's mission of eliminating cancer and improving quality of life for those individuals facing the disease. These dedicated volunteers donate their time and talents to further cancer research; educate the public about early detection and prevention; advocate for responsible cancer legislation in the local, state, and federal governments; and serve cancer patients and their families as they manage their cancer experience.

History:
The American Cancer Society was founded in 1913 as the American Society for the Control of Cancer (ASCC) by 15 prominent physicians and business leaders in New York City. It was one of the most remarkable moments in the history of public health.

In those early days, cancer was rarely mentioned in public. The disease was steeped in a climate of fear and denial. Cancer claimed 75,000 lives a year in the United States alone. The Society's founders knew they had to raise public awareness if progress was to be made. The number of doctors, nurses, patients and family members who had to be reached was overwhelming. Despite the enormity of their task, the founders and their colleagues set about writing articles for popular magazines and professional journals, publishing Campaign Notes (a monthly bulletin of cancer information), and recruiting physicians throughout the country to help educate the public.

Contact person: Kate Hanna, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Address:

1432 Chapala St Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (See a map)