The Fight Back Express (FBE) bus traveled through the Great Lakes Division July 12-19 making 22 stops and visiting Relays, county fairs, cancer centers, and town squares. The bus was designed to bring the stories of cancer patients, survivors, and friends to elected officials in order to make cancer a national priority issue.

During its time in the Division, the bus traveled about 1500 miles and was visited by over 1700 people. There was media coverage for virtually every city on the FBE tour. At each event, volunteers and local dignitaries reminded elected officials of the importance of access to care, funding for research, and the need to make both states smokefree. While the purpose at each stop was the same, each of these 22 events had their own distinct flavor and personality.

The Fight Back Express hosted three events per day that included Indiana stops in Evansville, Vincennes, Terre Haute, Indianapolis Black Expo, Greensburg, Noblesville, Anderson, and Fort Wayne. In Michigan, the bus stopped in Marshall, Lansing, Brighton, Royal Oak, Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Flint, Midland, Gaylord, Big Rapids, Grand Rapids, and St. Joe. The final stop was in Valparaiso, Indiana.

In Vincennes, Indiana, volunteers raised money for ACS CAN by selling root beer floats and slices of ice cold watermelon. In Terre Haute, there was a chance for participants to joust, buy tie-die shirts, and do some zumba dancing. In Greensburg, Mayor Gary Herbert declared July 14 "ACS CAN Fight Back Express Day", while ACS volunteer Angie Dilkes shared two personal stories about her father and grandson and their battles against cancer.

In Michigan, about 100 volunteers braved the heat to enthusiastically welcome the Fight Back Express to Marshall. Others donned rain gear to listen to U.S. Congressman Fred Upton energetically pledge to fight on against cancer at the Venetian Festival in St. Joe. The Fight Back Express stopped at the Hope Lodge in Grand Rapids and hosted a heartfelt evening event in Big Rapids. Miss Michigan also made a surprise appearance at a spirited rally in Brighton.

In Flint, six-year survivor Connie McNeil spoke regarding the need for health care for patients and survivors alike. "Forty percent of cancer patients use all or most of their savings," said Connie.

"Americans shouldn’t have to choose financial ruin to get healthcare. You never know what will happen after treatment. Survivors need healthcare too. We need to make it happen and defeat cancer."

Jacquelyn Scott of Fort Wayne was one of many volunteers who summed up the entire week, "If one person can fight against cancer, then an entire nation can rise up and defeat it."

During the FBE tour of the Great Lakes Division, thousands of signatures were collected, 210 people became ACS CAN members, including two State Representatives and one Member of Congress, and two Congressional proclamations and five mayoral proclamations were made.

Thank you to all who came in support of the bus! Please visit www.acscan.org/bus to check out the blog and view some photos from each of the Michigan and Indiana stops.