American Cancer Society

American Cancer Society
source
Name	American Cancer Society
Founded	23 May 1913
Founder	John D. Rockefeller Jr., C. C. Little, Miner J. Cooley
Headquarters	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Key people	Karen E. Knudsen (CEO)
Focus	Cancer research, education, advocacy, patient support
Revenue	$605.4 million (2023)
Website	cancer.org

American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society is a nationwide voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Founded in 1913, it is one of the oldest and largest non-governmental health agencies in the United States. The organization funds innovative research, provides critical patient services, promotes prevention through public education, and advocates for evidence-based public policy.

History

The society was established on May 23, 1913, in New York City by ten physicians and five laypersons, including notable figures like philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. and geneticist C. C. Little. It was initially named the American Society for the Control of Cancer, with early efforts focused on raising public awareness about a disease then rarely discussed openly. A pivotal moment came in 1947 with the launch of its first public education campaign, which significantly increased national attention. The organization was renamed the American Cancer Society in 1945, reflecting an expanded mission. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, it played a key role in landmark studies, such as the groundbreaking Hammond-Horn Study linking smoking to lung cancer, which influenced public health policy for decades.

Mission and activities

The central mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. Its multifaceted activities are organized around four primary pillars: research, patient support, prevention, and advocacy. Core programs include funding extramural research grants to scientists at institutions like the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. It operates the National Cancer Information Center, a 24/7 helpline, and provides direct services such as lodging through its Hope Lodge facilities and transportation via Road To Recovery volunteers. The organization also runs large-scale public health initiatives, including the Great American Smokeout and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks.

Research funding and impact

As the largest private, non-profit funder of cancer research in the United States, it has invested more than $5 billion since 1946. This funding has been instrumental in the development of critical therapies and screening techniques. Early grants supported the work of pioneers like James Watson and the foundational research that led to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Investigators funded by the society have made seminal discoveries in chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, and tamoxifen treatment. Its research program has contributed to a significant decline in overall cancer mortality rates, with funded researchers receiving 49 Nobel Prize awards to date for their related work.

Public education and advocacy

Public education efforts focus on prevention, early detection, and navigating a cancer diagnosis. It produces widely recognized guidelines for cancer screening, such as those for colorectal cancer and breast cancer, and disseminates information through its website, publications, and community programs. The advocacy arm, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, works to influence public policy at the federal and state levels. Key advocacy victories have included increased funding for the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute, the passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, and the expansion of Medicaid in several states to improve access to care.

Organizational structure and finances

Headquartered in Atlanta, the organization operates through a decentralized network of regional divisions and local offices across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and led by CEO Karen E. Knudsen. Financially, it is supported by public contributions, including donations from events like Relay For Life, corporate partnerships, and grants. In the fiscal year 2023, it reported total revenue of approximately $605.4 million, with a significant portion allocated to research grants and patient support services. Its financial practices and efficiency are regularly reviewed by independent agencies such as Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau.

Category:Medical and health organizations based in the United States Category:Cancer organizations Category:Organizations established in 1913