American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society began in 1913, and has had the mission to eliminate cancer since that time. The American Cancer Society is the national community-based voluntary health organization devoted to getting rid of cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. It is one of the oldest and largest voluntary health agencies in the United States, with more than two million Americans united to conquer cancer through balanced programs of research, education, patient service, sponsorship and rehabilitation. In 1946, it began funding research. In fact, the Society is the nation’s largest private, nonprofit source of cancer research funding, and it supports 179 cancer research projects totaling more than $98 million in funding. (Eyre, 2004)
The American Cancer Society consists of a National Society, with chartered Divisions throughout the country and more than 3,400 local units, organized to cover the counties and communities in the United States. There are thousands of community leaders who direct the Society's programs at this level. More than 2 million volunteers nationwide who donate their time and services accomplish the Society’s mission of cancer control.
Those diagnosed with cancer have often found themselves waging war not only the disease but the system that maze of services set up to help, but that too few patients are aware of or are able to access.
Helping patients and their families effectively tap that system is the purpose of the American Cancer Society's Patient Navigation Services program. Developed by the Illinois division of the society, its goal is to reduce cancer deaths and improve quality of life. (Knowles, 2004).
Lately, ACP introduced its own web site, which will improve navigation and streamline search features that make it even easier to find a greater variety of cancer information..................
