American Cancer Society

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The American Cancer Society (ACS) 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."

The Society is organized into 14 geographical divisions of both medical and lay volunteers operating in more than 3,400 offices throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.^[1] The National Home Office is located in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Society was originally founded in 1913 by 15 physicians and businessmen in New York City under the name American Society for the Control of Cancer (ASCC). The current name was adopted in 1945.^[2]

The sword symbol, adopted by the American Cancer Society in 1928, was designed by George E. Durant of Brooklyn, New York. According to Durant, the two serpents forming the handle represent the scientific and medical focus of the Society’s mission and the blade expresses the “crusading spirit of the cancer control movement."^[3]

Its activities include providing grants to researchers, running public health advertising campaigns, and organizing projects such as the Relay For Life, Great American Smokeout, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, and Daffodil Days.

Among its notable endorsements is the Hopkins 4K for Cancer, a 4000-mile bike ride from Baltimore to San Francisco to raise money for cancer patients.

1 Fund allocation
2 Criticisms
3 See also
4 External links
5 References

[edit] Fund allocation

The Society’s allocation of funds for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2005 lists 70% of funds for Program Services (Research 14%, Prevention 20%, Patient Support 20%, Detection and Treatment 16%).

The remaining 30% are allocated for supporting services (Fundraising 22%, and Management, General administration 8%)meeting the Better Business Bureau's Standards for Charity Accountability (At least 65% to program services and no more than 35% to overhead and fundraising expenses).^[4]

[edit] Criticisms

The Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, Dr. Samuel S. Epstein, believes their priorities are economically motivated, and reflect conflicts of interests with the pharmaceutical industry, the pesticide industry, and the mammography industry.^[5]

Charity Navigator rates the society two of four stars.^[6] The society is directed to "eliminating cancer" but has never been "able to state the progress it has made (or is making) toward its goal", one of the Charity Navigator criteria for a good place to make charitable contributions.^[7]

In the past, the ACS has been involved in a few economic scandals: In 2000, Dan Wiant, an administrative officer, was accused of embezzling $7 million.^[8] In the 1980s, an employee discovered that a fund-raiser was leading a $4 million tax fraud scheme.^[9]

"Access to Care" is the theme of The American Cancer Society's new ad campaign. While not advocating a specific solution, the American Cancer Society is looking to start a dialogue and increase the "political will" needed to address the issue. Dr. Seffrin, CEO of the ACS states: "if a women gets diagnosed with breast cancer, but doesn't have health insurance, she is 40% more likely to die." Your Cancer Today previews one of the commercials and interviews.^[10]

[edit] See also

Relay For Life, the signature event of the American Cancer Society
Great American Smokeout
ACS CAN the sister 501c4 advocacy organization to the American Cancer Society
Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy A close partner of American Cancer Society in fighting cancer in developing countries
David A. Wood (Pathologist) A past president of the American Cancer Society and winner of its Distinguished service award.