Statements
Mission
The American Cancer Society's mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
Background
At the American Cancer Society, we are on a mission to free the world from cancer. Until we do, we will be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention. The American Cancer Society was founded in 1913 and continues to serve all individuals across the US and around the world.
Over the years, Society-funded researchers have contributed to nearly every major cancer research breakthrough. We have helped establish the link between cancer and smoking; demonstrated the effectiveness of the Pap test; developed cancer-fighting drugs; dramatically increased the cure rate for childhood leukemia; proven the safety and effectiveness of mammography; and so much more. Since 1946, the American Cancer Society has invested more than $4 billion in research, recognizing, and providing the funding 49 researchers needed to get started and go on to win the Nobel Prize.
The American Cancer Society also focuses on cancer prevention and education, such as screenings in our local communities. The Society also provides 24/7 information and resources through our 1-800 number and cancer.org. Through our free patient services, the Society provides wigs, rides to treatment, and lodging if patients travel away from home for treatment (just to name a few!).
The American Cancer Society works in local communities to serve all individuals and focuses on all types of cancer.
Overall, the American Cancer Society is a global leader in the fight against cancer, working tirelessly to save lives by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against the disease.
Impact
In Tennessee in 2017, we reached approximately 61.3% of the cancer population with programs and services designed to provide information, day-to-day help, and emotional support to people with cancer and their families. This includes 118,793 services for 15,255 patients of which 8,524 were newly diagnosed, 2,773 were without insurance or on TennCare. In 2018, the American Cancer Society's Memorial Foundation Hope Lodge provided 1,418 patients with 18,147 nights of free lodging. At this facility, we also provided 3,505 shuttle trips to enable cancer patients to access the treatment needed. We also provided hair-loss and mastectomy products, as well as help with appearance-related side effects of treatment. An online community exists to provide nutrition counseling, online chat room, blogs and stories for patients and survivors. Cancer information specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help people understand the disease and treatment options, find help with insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, and find programs for people with cancer. We work with lawmakers to advocate for a healthier state and country and work in companies and health systems to impact health and wellness programs. The American Cancer Society measurably impacts lives. The ACS funds 749 research grants nationwide totaling more than $421 million as of January 2020 with more than $13 million at institutions across Tennessee .
Needs
Each year, it takes approximately $600,000 to fund the Memorial Foundation Hope Lodge. The Memorial Foundation Hope Lodge provides free lodging and transportation for cancer patients receiving outpatient oncology treatments in the Nashville area.
The American Cancer Society also needs volunteers throughout the organization. We need volunteers to do the following:
- Fundraise for events such as Night of Hope and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
- Serve the Hope Lodge patients by answering phones, driving the shuttle van and performing other duties
- Working other patient and advocacy programs of the organization such as Reach to Recovery, Road to Recovery and ACS Cancer Action Network (CAN)
Funds are designated for cancer research and patient programs.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Diseases, Disorders & Medical Disciplines - Cancer |
| Secondary Category: | Human Services - Human Services |
| Tertiary Category: | Diseases, Disorders & Medical Disciplines - Research Institutions & Public Policy Analysis |
Areas Served
Middle Tennessee
| TN - Bedford |
| TN - Fentress |
| TN - Cheatham |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Dickson |
| TN - Montgomery |
| TN - Robertson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Stewart |
| TN - Sumner |
| TN - Trousdale |
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Wilson |
