American Cancer Society Maine

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. Established in 1913 by a group of 10 physicians and five lay people in New York City, the American Cancer Society was originally called the American Society for the Control of Cancer. They raised $10,000 that first year and published a pamphlet, "Facts About Cancer," to educate the public. In 1937, through its volunteer Women's Field Army, the Society launched its first nationwide public education program. In the 1940s, it expanded its leadership and programs. Under new bylaws and an enlarged Board of Directors, it became the American Cancer Society, Inc. In 1945, it raised $4 million of which $1 million was allocated to cancer research. Since then, the Society has invested more than $3.5 billion in research. Significant progress was made in the 1960s when survival rates improved dramatically due to early detection diagnostic tests. ACS studies, including the Hammond-Horn Study and Cancer Prevention Study I, contributed to the surgeon general's report that led to warning labels on tobacco products. In the early '80s, the ACS's commitment to cancer prevention continued through Cancer Prevention Study II, an ongoing study which concentrates on risk factors and reports have been published which include information on smoking, diet, and breast and colon cancers, among others. Through its commitment to primary prevention of cancer, detection, and treatment of cancer, services to patients and families, advocacy, income development, and research, the ACS has been instrumental in affecting the survival rate. The five-year survival rate in 1913 was one in nine; today, it is 4 in 10.

The American Cancer Society is a volunteer-driven organization. As a volunteer, you can honor a survivor or a loved one lost to cancer, help save lives in your local community, and around the world. It only takes a little time to do a lot of good. Discover how rewarding it is to be a volunteer. Our local offices are open to the public and are the center for our support in communities nationwide. Within the programs that the American Cancer Society has available staff/volunteers help by connecting local cancer patients with programs and services, planning and coordinating fundraising activities and events, and promoting the Society within the local community. The American Cancer Society has many programs that an individual can volunteer within: Reach to Recovery, Road to Recovery, Hope Lodge, Look Good Feel Better, Community Events, Advocacy and local office assistants. Within these programs volunteers are needed to help fight the battle to end cancer. Help the American Cancer Society finish the fight against cancer, review volunteer opportunities at www.cancer.org/involved/volunteer, and join the more than three million people who choose to volunteer for the American Cancer Society.