Integrating the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) into American Cancer Society (ACS) community events can enhance efforts, engage participants in policy change, and create a stronger impact on the fight against cancer.

Here are some ways you can integrate ACS CAN into your event:

• Work with your ACS staff partner and ACS CAN staff to identify a state or local campaign that will resonate with your participants. You can learn more about what ACS CAN is doing in your area here and select your state on the top right. This is a also a great place to find contact information for the ACS CAN Grassroots Manger in your area.
• Set up a table at events where participants can learn about ACS CAN efforts and join the fight. Your ACS staff partner can help you connect with local ACS CAN volunteers to help organize this area.
• Incorporate ACS CAN into your Day Of Events
  • Relay For Life – Add ACS CAN to the program! Invite a state or local legislator impacted by cancer to speak on the importance of grassroots advocacy. Work with your staff to follow all campaign laws, ACS CAN Grassroots managers can help with this. Or invite an ACS CAN volunteer who has a cancer story to speak on their experiences impacting cancer policy.
  • Making Strides Against Breast Cancer – Advocacy speaking points can be provided to your DJ. ACS CAN Grassroots managers can help with putting these together to incorporate to identify specific state or local campaign priorities.
• Relay For Life – Add a Lights of Hope component to your event in the fall as a kick off event to the year– like a luminaria ceremony, decorate lights in honor of those affected by cancer with proceeds going to ACS CAN. You can even do a display in your community to build awareness and increase engagement.
  • Visit www.fightcancer.org/hope or download the DonorDrive Fundraising Charity App and type in 2325-100-507 in the Short Code text box to set up your page
  • Create one page for your event to keep things simple. When setting up your page use your event, community, or campus name. For example, in the First name field you could use “University of” and in the last name field “Wisconsin–Madison” or first name “Relay For Life of” and last name “Wichita.”
  • More DonorDrive resources are available on our resource website: www.fightcancer.org/LOHResources
    Please note that Contributions or membership payments to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc are not tax deductible and are separate from your RFL, MSABC, DetermiNation and other ACS Fundraisers. 
• Take Action! Medicaid is health insurance for low-income children and adults, seniors, and people with disabilities. For almost 80 million people in America, Medicaid is a lifeline. Any cuts to Medicaid could jeopardize essential care for people with cancer and make it harder for many to receive screenings to help diagnose cancer early.
  • You can encourage event participants to act in two ways:
  • Visit fightcancer.org/medicaidpetition
    • Or scan the QR code:

*Note: As a 501C3 Non-Profit organization, while we certainly welcome and encourage elected officials to join and speak at events, we do want to ensure the following:

• No Political Intervention: Events must be non-partisan and not appear to support or endorse any candidate.
• Equal Opportunity: If an elected official is invited to speak in their capacity as a candidate, events must offer equal opportunity to all candidates seeking the same office.
• No Campaign Activity: The event should not involve any fundraising or campaign-related activities. The focus should be on the organization’s mission and purpose.
• No Implied Endorsement: The event should avoid any actions or statements that could be seen as an endorsement of any candidate.
• Questions: Reach out to your State ACS CAN Grassroots Manager.