American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Iowa - ACS CAN

We hope you can join us virtually for this amazing film and discussion on Wednesday, August 7th @ 6:30pm CST. Please see link to register below.

Join us to watch a short film on the Medicaid coverage gap ACS CAN and ACS CAN's Black Volunteer Caucus (BVC) are hosting the first nationwide, virtual screening of the short film, In Due Season and virtual panel featuring the storytellers from the film.

ACS CAN Applauds House’s Commitment to Bipartisan Legislation Critical to Advancing Innovative Cancer Early Detection Tests Tomorrow, the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means is expected to mark up the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act.

Please join us tonight, Monday, June 3 at 7pm CST as the ACS CAN Young Leaders Caucus (YLC) is hosting a virtual event focused on adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivorship, and the challenges faced by this group, including social and emotional issues, implications for school or work, financial stress, fertility questions, and more. Life after cancer is important to understand, as cancer journeys do not end when treatment ends. Check out the event details and please register:

Stories of Young Adult Survivorship ACS CAN is the leading cancer advocacy organization that is working every day to make cancer issues a national priority.

We're thrilled to announce the newest addition to our Volunteer Ambassador team: Marshall Ndhlovu. Marshall's journey with us began at this year's Cancer Action Day, where his dedication stood out. Despite facing significant challenges, Marshall's unwavering commitment and passion for advocacy shine through. We're immensely grateful to have him join ACS CAN.

Here is what Marshall had to share, “My name is Marshall Ndhlovu, and I recently became an American citizen after immigrating from Zimbabwe. At the age of 18, I arrived in the U.S. with only $10 to my name and embarked on a journey that led me to Drake University. Last May, I proudly graduated with dual degrees in Business Law and Data Analytics. Next, law school awaits me! I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I've been given; they have truly transformed my life. However, amidst my journey, I tragically lost my father to multiple myeloma at the age of 50. This deeply personal experience has ignited a passion within me to work with organizations like ACS CAN, striving to eradicate this disease and improve the lives of those battling it. I am committed to volunteering for causes I believe in for as long as it takes to conquer this illness. My hope is to contribute to a future where we can declare victory in the fight against cancer.”

Welcome to the team, Marshall! We are so glad you are here! Your passion for making a difference will undoubtedly make a significant impact in the fight against cancer.

Make sure you RSVP for this important discussion on Tuesday, May 21st, 11:00 AM-12PM CT about cancer inequities among AANHPI people. RSVP here: www.fightcancer.org/AAPImayevent

ICYMI: To honor , ACS CAN’s AAPI Volunteer Caucus is hosting a virtual event with Oncology Nursing Society. Make sure you RSVP for this important discussion about cancer inequities among AANHPI people who face stereotypes, stigma, and cultural and language barriers.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about how disaggregated data, representative and culturally component oncology care, and equitable and accessible patient navigation services can improve access to cancer care and cancer outcomes for AANHPI people.

RSVP here: www.fightcancer.org/AAPImayevent

We are thrilled to announce Traci McCausland has joined our leadership team as the ACT Lead for the 2nd Congressional District. Traci has been involved with cancer advocacy since 2018, a year after she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. Her advocacy work began with the National Breast Cancer Coalition, where she previously joined other advocates in Washington, D.C. to meet with lawmakers. She also currently holds a volunteer leadership position on the American Cancer Society Iowa Area Board.

Traci attended Cancer Action Day for the first time this year. She shared she was inspired by the advocacy work of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and is eager to dig in and learn more. Please make sure to welcome Traci! We are so grateful to have her joining our leadership team!

Please join us for this important conversation. Register to join us in person or via live stream: FightCancer.org/NationalForum

Our annual on the Future of Health Care is next week!

How can we make affordable for everyone and alleviate the burden of that many cancer patients, survivors and their families face?

➡️ Register to join us in person or via live stream: FightCancer.org/NationalForum

It is a BIG day for cancer patients in Iowa! Governor Kim Reynolds just signed the biomarker testing bill into law, requiring more insurance plans to cover this game changing testing. Governor Reynolds has this to say during the signing “Research and technology have helped save countless lives from cancer and this bill opens new opportunities for Iowans to receive the best care they can to win the battle against cancer. I’ve seen firsthand what a difference biomarker testing can make. These necessary advancements will be available to patients across Iowa.”

Thank you to all the volunteers that sent messages to their lawmakers, attended Cancer Action Day, posted on social media, shared their story, and so much more. Your voices were heard today and made a difference for patients all over Iowa.

We are so thankful for our State Lead Ambassador (SLA), Morgan Newman, who traveled to Charlotte, NC to gather for our annual this weekend. This event is an opportunity for lead volunteers to connect, strategize, innovate and recharge. State Lead Ambassadors were able learn about our local, state and federal priorities, , and what’s on the horizon with biomarkers and patient navigation.

We’re so grateful to Morgan for taking the time and dedicating the focus at this incredibly impactful event. Morgan is ready to bring the energy from the weekend back to our team in Iowa! Thank you, Morgan for your continued dedication and leadership on our team!

We did it! Biomarker testing has passed the full House! The bill is on its way to Governor Reynolds’ desk. Thank you for all you have done to help us get the bill to this point. The voice of volunteers is helping make biomarker testing more accessible for the people who need it.

Iowa legislators have eliminated dedicated funding for to***co control and cancer screening programs in the proposed budget bill. Which means there is no guarantee dollars will be dedicated to to***co prevention programs or breast, cervical or colon cancer screenings. Our Iowa lawmakers should be ensuring access to cancer prevention and early detection services, including to***co control, not eliminating funding. We need you to send a message TODAY. https://act.fightcancer.org/a/take-action-now-contact-your-senator-and-representative

We are so excited to share that biomarker testing has passed the full Senate unanimously. Huge thanks to volunteer ACT Lead Maria Steele for coming to the capitol today and further thanks to all of you for all of your continued advocacy! The bill is on its way to the full house for a final vote before it heads to the Governor’s desk. Please take a moment to thank your Senator for supporting this legislation that will truly impact so many Iowans https://act.fightcancer.org/a/take-action-now-thank-your-senator

Biomarker testing and biomarker-informed treatments can be game changing for cancer patients. Ask your lawmaker to vote YES on the Senate biomarker bill: https://act.fightcancer.org/a/take-action-now-contact-your-senator

It passed! Biomarker testing has passed the House of Representatives!

The bill is on its way to the Senate. Please take a moment to thank your Representative for supporting this legislation that will truly impact the lives of so many Iowans. https://act.fightcancer.org/a/take-action-now-thank-your-representative

We still need the full House to take action to bring the biomarker testing bill a step closer to the Governor’s desk. Let’s continue to help more Iowans gain access to testing that can match them with the most effective treatments for their disease. Contact your Representative here: https://act.fightcancer.org/a/send-your-representative-message

Way to go, Team Iowa! Thank you for all your hard work ensuring the voices of cancer patients and their families were top of mind for members of Congress.

You helped make this happen! Today, the House Appropriations Committee unanimously voted to move the biomarker testing coverage bill forward to the full House for a vote. This bill will expand access to critical testing that will help allow Iowans to receive the right treatment at the right time. Thank you for making your voices heard! Please continue to follow along to find out ways to engage your representative.

The House appropriations subcommittee just voted to support ACS CAN’s biomarker testing coverage bill, sending it to the full House appropriations committee! ACS CAN volunteer and cancer center director, Richard L. Deming, spoke to the committee about how access to biomarker testing helps patients get the right treatment at the right time, often leading to improved quality of life and reduced costs.

Thank you to subcommittee members Representative Lohse, Representative Fry, and Representative Ehlert for their support for expanding access to this important testing.

We need your help to keep the momentum. Take action now to urge the full House Appropriations committee to move the bill forward. https://act.fightcancer.org/a/take-action-now-contact-your-lawmaker

We are so excited to announce Iowa’s new District 3 ACT Lead volunteer, Maria Steele! Maria started her advocacy journey in 2020 when she was diagnosed with radon induced lung cancer. Since her diagnosis, Maria has found passion in sharing her story in hopes to create change for other Iowans.

During her time volunteering with ACS CAN she has testified on multiple bills in both the house and senate, attended several in person and virtual Cancer Action Days, has been interviewed by tv, print, and radio, and so much more! We are so lucky to have her leadership on our team! Be sure to comment with a welcome message for Maria!

Please join ACS CAN’s LGBTQIA+ & Allies Engagement Group on Tuesday, March 19th at 9:00 am (PDT) / 12:00 pm (EDT) for a panel discussion on the unequal burden of cancer among LGBTQIA+ people. Our featured panelists include: Don Dizon MD, FACP, FASCO, Director of Women's Cancers at Lifespan Cancer Institute, Director of Medical Oncology at Rhode Island Hospital and Gladys Arias, MPA, Principal for Health Equity Policy Analysis and Legislative Support at the ACS CAN.
Register today!

Join us to discuss the unequal burden of cancer among LGBTQIA+ people Join ACS CAN’s LGBTQIA+ & Allies Engagement Group for a virtual event to discuss the unequal burden of cancer among LGBTQIA+ people as they face unique risk factors, screening disparities, obstacles to prevention, detection, and treatment because of systemic barriers.

Iowa Representatives are scheduled to vote on expanding access to biomarker testing coverage tomorrow!

Passage of this bill means more of our family, friends and neighbors have access to the doctor recommended testing that is most important for their specific cancer.

Will you join us now in connecting with your Representative? Encourage them to vote YES on the biomarker bill. https://act.fightcancer.org/a/urge-iowa-representatives-support-biomarker-legislation-1

You helped make this happen! Today, the House Commerce Committee unanimously voted to move to the biomarker testing coverage bill forward to the full House for a vote.
This bill will expand access to critical testing that will allow Iowans to receive the right treatment at the right time.
Thank you for making your voices heard! Please continue to follow along to find out ways to engage your representative.

Yesterday, ACS CAN Iowa volunteer and cancer advocate, Maria Steele, shared her biomarker testing story publicly with Iowa lawmakers and KCCI. We are asking Iowa lawmakers to pass legislation that will expand access to biomarker testing. Check out Maria's story and learn how you can get involved with ACS CAN below!

Advocates gather at Iowa Capitol to call for increased accessibility for cancer tests Advocates gathered at the statehouse Tuesday for Cancer Action Day in an effort to persuade lawmakers to do their part to reduce the risk of the disease.

Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers for showing up and using their voices at Iowa’s 2024 Cancer Action Day! We asked Iowa lawmakers to support legislation that would expand access to biomarker testing to ensure more Iowans get the right treatment at the right time.

🚨🚨🚨Today, the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously voted to move to the biomarker testing coverage bill forward to the full Senate for a vote.
This bill will expand access to critical testing that will allow Iowans to receive the right treatment at the right time.
Please continue to follow along. We will be sharing ways to engage with your senator over the next couple of days.

Did you know, nearly 60% of all cancer drugs approved in the last 5 years require or recommend biomarker testing before use? Take a couple of minutes to send a message to your lawmakers and help ensure more patients have access to the cancer testing their doctor recommends. https://act.fightcancer.org/a/urge-iowa-lawmakers-senate-commerce-committee-support-biomarker-legislation

Great news!
ACS CAN's biomarker testing coverage bill made it out of Senate subcommittee and is making its way to the full Senate Commerce Committee.
Maria Steele made her way to the Capitol (in the snow and the cold) to share how biomarker testing impacted her treatment plan. Because of biomarker testing, Maria has been on a targeted therapy that has allowed her to live a full life with minimal treatment side effects.
Thank you to subcommittee members Senator Brown, Senator Koelker, and Senator Petersen for their support in expanding access to this important testing.