Ever since 2010, I had participated in the local relay For Life benefitting the American Cancer Society. Growing up, I was not fully aware of what cancer was and how it surrounded me. Once I started with the relay For Life, it became more and more evident. From local business owners to coworkers at my summer job, cancer slowly crept its way into my life. I thought that by participating in the relay For Life, I would be able to do something impactful in the fight against cancer.
Back in 2010, I joined a local business in our local relay For Life event. I asked my friends to join me to show how much we cared about the mission of the American Cancer Society as they strive to eradicate cancer. The team we joined was formed in honor of the business owner who had survived cancer multiple times.
As I moved on to college, I wanted to continue with the relay For Life, so I participated on my college's campus relay For Life event. Little did I know that cancer was getting closer and closer to me personally.
Two years ago, during my junior year of college, my grandfather passed away on September 17th, 2014 from cancer. He was a strong man that I looked up to, and my life was flipped upside down in less than a day. He had been battling cancer for almost a year at that point.
My parents drove 1.5 hours to me at school to tell me this sad news. They also had told me that the family wanted to request donations made to my relay For Life team to benefit the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers. That year, between family donations and personal donations, I was able to raise over $1,500 in honor of my grandfather.
I know that my grandfather is watching over me, smiling. I know that he will always be my sunshine when I need him to. And to this day, I am still participating in the local relay For Life so that I can raise money for the American Cancer Society. I will continue to do so until one day, no one has to hear the words 'You have cancer' again. I will continue to fight this disease until the American Cancer Society can put an end to cancer.
Review from #MyGivingStory
I give to the Cancer Society ever chance I get. My little brother died from Cancer. My baby brother has Cancer now, as well as one of my friends. I have walked the hospital with them, talked to other kids/adults in the hospital with Cancer. I have given my time, and what little money I have to them. I do this without giving my name, as I do not want anything in return. I do this because I know what it does to someone. I know how people will look at some differently with Cancer. Like it is something that they can catch. I remember the stories that my little brother use to tell me about how he wished that people would just sit and talk with him without asking about his Cancer or how he was feeling that day. I give money when I have it. I am poor and can barely afford to pay my bills, but I will give my last 5 dollars to the Cancer Society when I have it.
Review from #MyGivingStory
I've volunteered with ACSCAN for about 3 years now. It gave me a way to "give back" by advocating for sound public policies (such as palliative care) and for funding for cancer research. The federal government is the largest funder of the basic scientific research that is so important to breakthroughs in major diseases such as cancer. ACSCAN enabled me to use my voice to advocate for patients and caregivers. It's an excellent organization.
The original American Cancer Society was a great private charity dedicated to the fight against cancer. Many of us have lost someone we care about to cancer or at the very least seen someone we love struggle to battle it. I've personally donated substantially to the ACS to help find a cure and help those currently struggling. I've also coordinated and funded direct support to families in need impacted by cancer and will continue to do so in the future.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action network, though affiliated with the ACS is a very different organization than the ACS. It is a political action network with a stated purpose to expand coercive taking of money and limit personal freedom. For some, this violence based approach is justified since the goal of helping cancer patients and their families is in itself a worthy cause. However, for those of us that abhor violence and the threat of violence, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action network is an organization that should be strongly opposed.
Review from Guidestar
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network also known as ACS CAN is the nonpartisan advocacy wing of the American Cancer Society. It gives volunteers like me that think we need to do something to fight cancer the fulfilling outlet to help with the problem. ACS CAN gives me the opportunity to talk to my lawmakers local, state, and federal about policies that will help the cancer problem. The laws that are supported by ACS CAN are responsibly evidence based and are designed to help save lives and the quality of lives. Us volunteers include cancer survivors and anybody else who cares about doing something to help the cancer problem. I love this organization because I literally have been able to influence legislation that will save countless lives now and in the futue.
Review from Guidestar