Hi everyone, this week we will be covering ways you can get your campus involved with the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).
ACS CAN is the sister organization to the American Cancer Society (ACS) that has the sole focus on engaging in advocacy against cancer. In other words, ACS CAN brings the research, resources, and initiatives of the ACS to the attention of lawmakers to enact legislative change in-line with the positions of the ACS.
Integrating ACS CAN into your chapter is a great way to get involved further with ACS as well as draw in new members who are looking to get involved with health advocacy. Check out some of the ways you can get your ACS on Campus chapter involved!
Canvass on Campus
Canvassing is a great way to get students’ attention and make them aware of ongoing policies that ACS CAN is trying to push in order to benefit cancer patients. At club events (Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Relay for Life, fundraising events, etc.), assign a member or two to walk around and talk to students about signing petitions for bills in your state. Talk with your ACS Staff Partner or ACS CAN Grassroots Manager about flyers and information sheets that you can use for your canvassing prior to your event!
Find your state’s grassroots manager here!
Cancer Action Day
Another great way of getting your campus involved is by getting students to participate in Cancer Action Day. Cancer Action Day is a day where ACS CAN staff, volunteers, cancer survivors, and caregivers travel to the state capitol to meet with lawmakers and fight for policies that will change the way cancer impacts Americans all over the nation. Your state’s ACS CAN branch will provide you and your club with training so you feel prepared to attend your state’s Cancer Action Day event. Depending on your institution’s guidelines, advisors may be able to provide notes to professors excusing club members from classes in order to attend this event, so be sure to check with your institution about guidelines.
To find your state’s Cancer Action Day date and location, look here. Please note that dates are subject to change. If you don’t see your state’s Cancer Action Day, no worries! Some states have yet to upload their Cancer Action Day date and location. For updates, reach out to your state’s grassroots manager or ACS staff partner.
Lights of Hope
Lights of Hope is ACS CAN’s signature fundraising event. Similar to Relay for Life’s Luminaria Ceremony, this event honors those who have been affected by or lost their life to cancer. All the money fundraised through this event goes towards funding ACS CAN’s mission to fight cancer at a local, state, and federal level to change the lives of anybody who might hear the words “you have cancer”. By creating a Lights of Hope event at your campus, you will be helping ACS CAN fund their mission, and make fighting cancer a national priority. Talk to your ACS Staff Partner about setting up a Lights of Hope event at your campus today!
For more information about Lights of Hope, read more here!
Volunteering with CAN
Despite being an On Campus organization, you can get involved with ACS CAN off campus! Getting involved can include canvassing at local events on behalf of ACS CAN, making holiday cards for lawmakers, or fundraising for your state’s Lights of Hope. There are many great opportunities to volunteer with ACSCAN off campus! Attending monthly state ACS CAN calls is a great way to find volunteer opportunities that you can involve your club in.