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American Cancer Society

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American Cancer Society
FormationMay 22, 1913; 111 years ago (1913-05-22)
FocusCancer prevention
HeadquartersAmerican Cancer Society Center
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
OriginsNew York, New York, U.S.
Area served
United States
MethodCancer research, public policy, education and service[1]
Key people
Karen E. Knudsen[2]
Websitewww.cancer.org Edit this at Wikidata

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating cancer. Established in 1913, the society is organized into six geographical regions of both medical and lay volunteers operating in more than 250 Regional offices throughout the United States.[1] Its global headquarters is located in the American Cancer Society Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The ACS publishes the journals Cancer, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians and Cancer Cytopathology.[3]

History

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ACS offices in Washington, D.C.

The society was founded on May 22, 1913, by ten physicians and five businessmen in New York City under the name "American Society for the Control of Cancer" (ASCC).[4][5] The current name was adopted in 1944.[6]

At the time of founding, it was not considered appropriate to mention the word "cancer" in public and information concerning this illness was cloaked in a climate of fear and denial.[citation needed] The top item on the founders' agenda was to raise awareness of cancer, before any other progress could be made in funding research. Therefore, a frenetic writing campaign was undertaken to educate doctors, nurses, patients and family members about cancer. Articles were written for popular magazines and professional journals.[citation needed] The ASCC undertook to publish their own journal, Campaign Notes, a monthly bulletin with information about cancer. They began recruiting doctors from all over the United States to help educate the public about cancer.[citation needed]

In 1936, Marjorie Illig, an ASCC field representative, suggested the creation of a network consisting of new volunteers for the purpose of waging "war on cancer". From 1935 to 1938 the number of people involved in cancer control in the US grew from 15,000 to 150,000. According to Working to Give, the Women's Field Army, a group of volunteers working for the ASCC, was primarily responsible for this increase.[7]

The sword symbol, adopted by the American Cancer Society in 1928, was designed by George E. Durant of Brooklyn, New York. According to Durant, the two serpents forming the handle represent the scientific and medical focus of the society's mission, and the blade expresses the "crusading spirit of the cancer control movement".[8]

In 1972, Offie Wortham, unaffiliated with ASCC and acting as a private citizen, suggested to the Philadelphia Chapter the creation of a button which said, "HELP! Your smoking is hazardous to my health." Initially, 50,000 buttons were produced, the first evidence of a campaign against secondary smoke. [citation needed] In 1973 the tobacco industry agreed not to advertise on billboards and in cinemas, and the first health warnings were displayed on cigarette packages in 1974.[citation needed]

In 2012, the American Cancer Society raised $934 million and spent $943 million. This prompted a national consolidation and cost-cutting reorganization in 2013.[9] It centralized its operations and consolidated, merging previous regional affiliates into the parent organization. It also required all employees to reapply for their jobs.[9][10]

In February 2021, Tennessee-based advertising agency Tombras Group was named the Society's agency of record.[11] Karen E. Knudsen was named the chief executive officer in 2021. She is the first woman to lead the organization as CEO.[12]

Activities and fund allocation

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1938 American Society for the Control of Cancer poster

The ACS' activities include providing grants to researchers, including funding 49 Nobel Laureate researchers; discovering the link between smoking and cancer; and serving one million callers every year through its National Cancer Information Center. The Nobel Prize laureates include James D. Watson, Mario Capecchi, Oliver Smithies, Paul Berg, E. Donnall Thomas, and Walter Gilbert.[13] The American Cancer Society's website contained a chronological listing of specific accomplishments in the fight against cancer in which the ACS had a hand, including the funding of various scientists who went on to discover life-saving cancer treatments, and advocating for increased use of preventative techniques.[14]

The organization also runs public health advertising campaigns, and organizes projects such as the Relay For Life and the Great American Smokeout. It operates a series of thrift stores to raise money for its operations. The ACS participates in the Hopkins 4K for Cancer, a 4000-mile bike ride from Baltimore to San Francisco to raise money for the society's Hope Lodge.[15][16]

The society's allocation of funds for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, lists 79% of funds for Program Services (Patient Support 36%, Research 19%, Prevention 14%, Detection and Treatment 10%). The remaining 21% are allocated for supporting services (Fundraising 17%, and Management, General administration 4%).[17] This meets the Better Business Bureau's Standards for Charity Accountability: Standard 8 (Program Service Expense Ratio) of at least 65% of total expenses spent on program activities.[18]

In 2020, the American Cancer Society launched Gamers Vs Cancer, a series of charity online streams that feature professional gaming live streamers.[19][20]

The ACS continues to sponsor many pledge-based activities such as the American Cancer Society Pennsylvania Perimeter Ride Against Cancer.[21]

Dietary advice

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The ACS recommends a healthy dietary pattern similar to the Mediterranean diet that consists mostly of plant-based foods (fruits, legumes, vegetables and whole grains) that are high in dietary fibre with fish and poultry whilst avoiding or limiting intake of red and processed meats to reduce cancer risk.[22][23] The ACS also recommends people to avoid or limit sugar-sweetened beverages, highly processed foods and refined grains.[22]

In 2020, the ACS in their "Diet and Physical Activity Guideline", stated "evidence that red and processed meats increase cancer risk has existed for decades, and many health organizations recommend limiting or avoiding these foods."[24]

Evaluations and controversies

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ACS Hope Lodge in Manhattan

In 1994, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, a nonprofit industry publication, released the results of the largest study of charitable and non-profit organization popularity and credibility, conducted by Nye Lavalle & Associates. The study showed that the American Cancer Society was ranked as the tenth "most popular charity/non-profit in America" of over 100 charities researched, with 38% of Americans over the age of 12 choosing "love" and "like a lot" for the ACS.[7][25][26]

As of January 2012, the Better Business Bureau listed American Cancer Society as an accredited charity meeting all of its Standards for Charity Accountability.[18]

In 1995, the Arizona chapter of the American Cancer Society was targeted for its extremely high overhead. Two economists, James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo, issued a report analyzing the chapter's financial statements and demonstrating that the Arizona chapter used about 95% of its donations for paying salaries and other overhead costs, resulting in a 22 to 1 ratio of overhead to actual money spent on the cause. The report also asserted that the Arizona chapter's annual report had grossly misrepresented the amount of money spent on patient services, inflating it by more than a factor of 10. The American Cancer Society responded by alleging that the economists issuing the report were working for a group funded by the tobacco industry.[27]

For the 2009–2010 fiscal year, then-CEO John R. Seffrin received $2,401,112 salary and compensation from the charity.[18] At that time, this was the second most money given to the head of a charity, according to CharityWatch. The money included $1.5 million in a retention benefit approved in 2001, "to preserve management stability".[28] Seffrin's compensation for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2012, was $832,355.[29]

The American Cancer Society was criticized in 2011 for turning down participation from the Foundation Beyond Belief in its Relay For Life "National Team" program.[30][31]

As of November 2020, using data from 2019, the Charity Navigator gave the American Cancer Society a score of 80.88, earning it a 3-Star rating, with the finance category being scored as 73.13 (2-Star) and the Accountability & Transparency category being scored as 97.00 (4-Star). As of last check on Jan 2024, using real time data, the score has improved from 80.88% to 99%. "This charity's score is 99%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence. This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 80% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% Culture & Community."[32][failed verification]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Facts about ACS". ACS website. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  2. ^ "American Cancer Society Names Dr. Karen Knudsen as its Next CEO". cancer.org. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  3. ^ "Other American Cancer Society Resources". ACS website. Archived from the original on October 1, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  4. ^ "The Organization of National and Local Forces in the Campaign Against Cancer", by Curtis E. Lakeman, M.D., Executive Secretary of the American Society for the Control of Cancer, in Journal of the Missouri State Medical Association (October 1915) p455
  5. ^ Frederick L. Hoffman, The Mortality from Cancer throughout the World (Prudential Press, 1913)
  6. ^ "American Cancer Society turns 100 as cancer rates fall". Fox News. Associated Press. May 22, 2013. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  7. ^ a b "American Cancer Society: History". Working to Give: Philanthropies & Philanthropic Work. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013.
  8. ^ "Our History". ACS website. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Nearing, Brian (April 18, 2013). "Cancer Society chapters facing reorganization". Times Union. Albany, NY. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  10. ^ Hrywna, Mark (May 31, 2013). "ACS: Next 100 years". The NonProfit Times. Morris Plains, NJ. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  11. ^ "Exclusive: American Cancer Society Names Tombras as Media Agency of Record". Adweek. February 26, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  12. ^ "American Cancer Society Names Dr. Karen Knudsen as its Next CEO". cancer.org. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  13. ^ "Nobel Prize Winners". Cancer.org. ACS. Archived from the original on February 13, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2009.
  14. ^ "Milestones: American Cancer Society Accomplishments 1946-2004: Hope. Progress. Answers". Cancer.org. ACS. Archived from the original on November 19, 2008. Retrieved November 19, 2008.
  15. ^ "Hope Lodge Baltimore: News". ACS. Archived from the original on November 3, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2008.
  16. ^ "Baltimore's Hope Lodge to Benefit from Hopkins 4K for Cancer" (Press release). Office of News and Information, Johns Hopkins University. May 24, 2004.
  17. ^ "2019 Annual Report | American Cancer Society" (PDF). American Cancer Society, Inc. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  18. ^ a b c "Charity Review: American Cancer Society". National Charity Reports. Better Business Bureau. January 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  19. ^ "Freya Fox & American Cancer Society team up for 'Gamers vs Cancer'". InvenGlobal. May 5, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  20. ^ "gamers vs cancer". www.cancer.org. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  21. ^ "Pennsylvania Perimeter Ride Against Cancer". American Cancer Society. February 28, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  22. ^ a b "American Cancer Society Guideline for Diet and Physical Activity". cancer.org. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  23. ^ "Common Questions About Diet, Activity, and Cancer Risk". cancer.org. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  24. ^ Rock, Cheryl L.; Thomson, Cynthia; Gansler, Ted; Gapstur, Susan M.; McCullough, Marjorie L.; Patel, Alpa V.; Andrews, Kimberly S.; Bandera, Elisa V.; Spees, Colleen K.; Robien, Kimberly; Hartman, Sheri; Sullivan, Kristen; Grant, Barbara L.; Hamilton, Kathryn K.; Kushi, Lawrence H.; Caan, Bette J.; Kibbe, Debra; Black, Jessica Donze; Wiedt, Tracy L.; McMahon, Catherine; Sloan, Kirsten; Doyle, Colleen (2020). "American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention". CA. 70 (4): 245–271. doi:10.3322/caac.21591. PMID 32515498. S2CID 219550658.
  25. ^ "The charities Americans like most and least". The Chronicle of Philanthropy. December 13, 1996.
  26. ^ Peterson, Karen S. (December 20, 1994). "Charity begins with health". USA Today (Final ed.). p. 1D.
  27. ^ Dougherty, John (January 26, 1995). "Charitable taking the Arizona division of the American Cancer Society eats up 95 percent of its budget with salaries and overhead. Cancer victims get the leftover crumbs". Phoenix New Times. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012.
  28. ^ Charity Rating Guide and Watchdog Report. 59. CharityWatch. December 2011.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link)
  29. ^ Pitts, Kathy: Ernst & Young US LLP (May 3, 2013). "IRS Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax for American Cancer Society, Inc. National Home Office" (PDF). Part II: p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 17, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  30. ^ Levy, Piet (October 3, 2011). "Atheists say cancer volunteering thwarted". The Christian Century. Religious News Service. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013.
  31. ^ Christina, Greta (May 11, 2012). "Atheism's new clout". Salon. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  32. ^ "American Cancer Society". Charity Navigator. November 1, 2019. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020. This rating was published 11/01/2019 using data provided by the charity on a consolidated pro forma 990 which was verified against 990s received from the IRS.
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