100 years ago, the American Cancer Society started the fight of a lifetime – the fight to end cancer. What was the world like when we started? A century ago, the Dodgers were still in Brooklyn. There were no computers. No smart phones. No Internet. And there wasn’t much hope for someone diagnosed with cancer. Back then, the word “cancer” was spoken in whispers, and we lost almost all patients to the disease. But in 1913, we came together to change that. A small group of physicians and business professionals set out to build an army of volunteers to raise awareness about cancer. Their determination
and brave actions started what we know today as the American Cancer Society.
From deadly to treatable and from treatable to
preventable, the American Cancer Society has been leading the fight to end
cancer for 100 years. And while our progress is remarkable, our work is not yet done.
Now is our time to boldly join together to
finish the fight.
How are we doing this?
During the last 100 years, we've learned that
cancer thrives on silence, complacency and business as usual. Progress comes
when we speak out. When we make noise. Because silence won’t finish the fight –
action will. Our own 100th birthday is not a time to rest; it’s a
time to make more noise and take more action. It’s a time to embark on our most
ambitious undertaking yet. We are determined to make this cancer’s last
century.
Who We Are
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots
force of more than 3 million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every
birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest
voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20
percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent
drop in smoking rates.
Thanks in part to our progress, nearly 14
million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it
will celebrate another birthday this year. As we mark our 100th birthday
in 2013, we're determined to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding
cures as the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer
research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing
the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air,
and more.
For more information, to get help, or to join
the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
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