I have had some experience with the American Cancer Society, when my mother was diagnosed with cancer. They were an invaluable resource in terms of the information that they provided to both my mother, my father, and myself. At any given moment, we could call their 1-800 number and speak to an actual person about what was happening in the process, and what it meant to us. They also set her up with ALCASE a lung cancer support group and sent us many pamphlets and brochures. If their primary objective was education and outreach they would have a full 5 stars from me, but I currently find them to be a tad bit misleading when they speak of research. I understand that they fund quite a bit of research, but not enough to be touting it as their primary mission. Furthermore, I am very disheartened that every link to where the money actually goes on their website is broken or does not work.

Currently, I am preparing to participate in the Relay for Life, one of their biggest fundraisers, and I find it to be ineffective, and more misdirection. For example, we are told we need to have moneies raised turned in as soon as possible because, "The sooner they get the money, the sooner it goes to cancer." That always hit a bad chord with me and seemed sketchy.