community focus and volunteerism

American Cancer Society celebrates volunteers for their important role in the fight against cancer
More than three million volunteers work for the American Cancer Society nationwide, performing a wide range of activities that mobilize and empower communities to prevent cancer, save lives, and diminish suffering. In the Great Lakes Division, 180,000 volunteers give their time and talent to fight back against the disease.

During National Volunteer Week (April 27 – May 3), ACS acknowledges and celebrates these very important individuals at the local, state, and national level, who devote their time and effort to bring about a positive change.

National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. It is sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation and Hands On Network.

The American Cancer Society is the nation’s largest volunteer health organization, relying on dedicated volunteers to help in our mission to end cancer by impacting communities through their personal commitment. Volunteers contribute to the fight against cancer through a variety of roles, efforts, and ACS programs, including:

• Assisting with signature community events like Relay For Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer through fundraising in communities across the country
• Providing free rides for cancer patients to and from cancer treatments with the Road to Recovery program
• Working with state and federal legislators to make cancer a priority through the ACS Cancer Action Network and get cancer-related laws passed
• Serving on a variety of task forces and special event committees and assisting with various office duties
• Volunteers who are survivors provide one-on-one support, understanding, and hope to patients who just found out they have cancer through programs such as Reach to Recovery and Man to Man
• Helping women with treatment-related side effects by teaching them skills to restore their self image through the Look Good...Feel Better program

It is clear that volunteers actively participate in many roles at all levels of the Society. Because of the time and talents of our volunteers, people facing cancer are getting information, day-to-day help, and the emotional support they need from the American Cancer Society to help them through every step of their cancer journey. They are also helping to raise funds and awareness, to fight back against the disease. The cornerstone of the American Cancer Society is our volunteers. They are our most valuable asset.

Thank you to all our dedicated volunteers for giving your time, expertise, and resources that bring hope to those touched by cancer. You are fighting cancer in our community and your support truly makes a difference.

The American Cancer Society listens, shares, heals, and nurtures a spirit of hope and a culture of caring through volunteerism. To learn more about how you can save lives while fulfilling your own through volunteering, contact your American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org/volunteer.