American_Cancer_Society

American Cancer Society Prior to the beginning of 1913, cancer claimed more than 75,000 lives yearly. A group of 15 well-known physicians and business leaders out of New York City founded the American Society for the Control of Cancer (ASCC) (American Cancer Society, 2010). Before and during the formulation of the ASCC, there was fear and denial among the public that limited people discussing the disease. The ASCC founders saw a need to raise the awareness of the program and the growing problem of cancer. Through articles submitted to popular magazines and medical journals written by colleagues and member of the society, the awareness of cancer and the organization started to rise. The society also began publishing a bulletin named Campaign Notes. This bulletin had a wealth of information about cancer. The society began recruiting other physicians across the United States to help bring awareness to the public about the affects of cancer. Through the ASCC, other organizations began to spring to help spread the causes of cancer. One group was the Women’s Field Army their sole purpose was to wage a war against cancer. They canvassed streets across the country to inform people about the risk of cancer and to raise money to support the growing ASCC. In 1945, while going through a reorganization the society renamed the American Society for the Control of Cancer to American Cancer Society (ACS) (American Cancer Society, 2010). The end of World War II brought on new challenges for the ACS. Raising the bar to raise more money to educate the public and help support research for finding a cure and new medications to treat patients. Through the supported effort of multiple organizations, medical staff, and advertisement, billions of dollars are raised for the commitment of research, funding Nobel Prize winners for their cancer research work. The many accomplishments made through the ongoing cancer research continue to advance in ways that the original founders most likely did not imagine. Without the willingness of the original 15 forming the organization, society would not have the advance knowledge about the types of cancer, possible cures, cancer fighting drugs, and article raising awareness for the public and medical fields. Through the organizations continual efforts in raising societies awareness of cancer a cure for this deadly disease will one day be found. References American Cancer Society. (2010). ACS History. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/docroot/AA/content/AA_1_4_ACS_History.asp'sitearea=&level=