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Last updated on October 3, 2008

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:
Unlike other voluntary organizations, we are not a membership organization. Instead, we recruit volunteers to bring lifesaving messages about cancer prevention and early detection and provide services to cancer patients and their families in their local communities. The American Cancer Society consists of more than 2 million volunteers and over 4,000 staff. Due to the dedication of our skilled volunteers, the ACS has low management costs. Volunteers plan, implement, and manage our organization with the help and support of well-trained staff.

History:
Established in 1913 by a group of 10 physicians and five lay people in New York City, the American Cancer Society was originally called the American Society for the Control of Cancer. They raised $10,000 that first year and published a pamphlet, "Facts About Cancer," to educate the public. In 1937, through its volunteer Women's Field Army, the Society launched its first nationwide public education program. In the 1940s, it expanded its leadership and programs. Under new bylaws and an enlarged Board of Directors, it became the American Cancer Society, Inc. In 1945, it raised $4 million of which $1 million was allocated to cancer research. Since then, the Society has invested more than $1 billion in research. Significant progress was made in the 1960s when survival rates improved dramatically due to early detection diagnostic tests. ACS studies, including the Hammond-Horn Study and Cancer Prevention Study I, contributed to the surgeon general's report that led to warning labels on tobacco products. In the early '80s, the ACS's commitment to cancer prevention continued through Cancer Prevention Study II, an ongoing study which concentrates on risk factors and reports have been published which include information on smoking, diet, and breast and colon cancers, among others. Through its commitment to primary prevention of cancer, detection, and treatment of cancer, services to patients and families, advocacy, income development, and research, the ACS has been instrumental in affecting the survival rate. The five-year survival rate in 1913 was one in nine; today, it is 4 in 10.

Contact people:

Susan Clifford, Director Of Communications, (phone), (email) Cathy Harper, Administrative Specialist, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 207-725-6680

Address:

One Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300 Topsham, ME 04086 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.cancer.org

Directions:

From the south or north, take I-295 to Exit 31/Topsham/ME-196. At end of ramp turn onto ME 196 East. Follow signs to intersection with ME-201 and turn right onto ME-201. Proceed 1.2 mi to Bowdoin Mill. Turn left into parking lot and enter building through green door. Take stairs or elevator to 3rd floor.   Nearest Bus Stop: n/a

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