An_Analysis_of_the_American_Cancer_Society_and_Its_Part_in_Eliminating_Cancer_Worldwide

Riegelman (2010) defined public health as: “The totality of all evidence-based public and private efforts that preserve and promote health and prevent disease, disability, and death” (p. 4). Public health has been a community effort dating back to the ancient times (Riegelman, 2010). However, this effort was limited to minuscule sections of each individual community. Public health will be at its best when an organized effort can be obtained at a global level. Since ancient times, public health organizations have been created and have united the public health efforts. There are numerous public health concerns, one that is of increasing magnitude, cancer. Luckily, America has one of the largest non-profit voluntary public health organizations in the world: the American Cancer Society (American Cancer Society, 2008). The American Cancer Society has devoted its existence to researching, educating, and advocating the population on cancer and ways to help eliminate incidences throughout the world. Fifteen doctors and businesspersons founded the American Cancer Society in 1913 in New York City; up until this point, cancer was not in the forefront of public thought because it was not mentioned in the public often. The American Cancer Society’s front-runners knew in order for progress to be made, public awareness was needed (2008). Since then, the American Cancer Society has been fulfilling its mission “to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service” (American Cancer Society, 2008). The American Cancer Society consists of one national home office, 12 charted, geographic division affiliates, and over 900 local offices (American Cancer Society, 2008). The National Home Office is responsible for overall planning, development, and implementation of the American Cancer Society’s information and support programs and services to assist people who are fighting back against cancer. The National Home Office also manages the American Cancer Society’s research programs as well as provides technical support and materials to Divisions and local offices. The National Board of Directors oversees the National Home Office. The National Board of Directors consists of medical and lay volunteers from across the country (American Cancer Society, 2008). The 12 charted, geographic division affiliates are responsible for awareness efforts, fundraising and public information events, and program delivery in their geographic regions. Division Boards of Directors composed of medical and lay volunteers throughout the United States and Puerto Rico govern the American Cancer Society’s 12 Divisions. The 900+ local offices, work in more than 5,100 communities, offer programs, and services at the community level. The American Cancer Society has strategically placed its offices around the country in an effort to maximize the impact of its efforts. While the American Cancer Society does not have a physical office in every community, its staff and volunteers are available in every community and are ready to help people with cancer as well as their families (American Cancer Society, 2008). The American Cancer Society has committed itself to assisting the public with staying and/or getting well, fighting back politically, providing access to care, and researching to find cures (2008). This is done in several different ways; however, most importantly, it is done at the local, national, and international levels. The American Cancer Society assists communities with increasing awareness about cancer and educating people in what they can do as a society to help. Locally, northeast Ohio has a regional office in Cleveland that provides support to all the local communities. There are many different ways northeast Ohio participates in this public health concern. Some include: fellowships, scholarships, community outreach, Ohio facts and figures (one is completed for each state and made available in each state’s local communities), volunteering, and research (American Cancer Society, 2008). Just in the next six months, the northeast chapters has the following events planned: Relay for Life, Golf Classic, Making strides against breast cancer, Ohio State Lobby Day, Dining at the Diamond, Fashion Show, Bike riding (American Cancer Society, 2008). These are all community events that assist the American Cancer Society with raising money, increasing awareness, and providing comfort to cancer survivors and families. This has a ripple effect because these events allow the research to continue and the fellowships and scholarships to be a reality. One of the ways American Cancer Society assists at the national level is by celebrating More Birthdays. Celebrating More Birthdays is dedicated to increasing birthdays nationwide. More Birthdays is a celebration of each additional birthday a person has had since their cancer diagnosis. Anyone can create a birthday card (page) for a cancer survivor and the purpose is to celebrate loved ones birthdays while raising awareness and money for American Cancer Society (American Cancer Society, 2008). More Birthdays will also assist people who are actively fighting cancer. They will provide free lodging for people who need to relocate for treatment as well as provide transportation and to and from appointments (American Cancer Society, 2008). There are numerous other ways that American Cancer Society assists on the national level, some include: Daffodil Days, DeteriNation, Choose You, Coaches vs. cancer, plus all the efforts that are made on the local level are done nationwide through local involvement (2008). The American Cancer Society asserted that since cancer is a global health problem then the American Cancer Society should take a global approach to providing awareness and education to the ever-increasing leading global killer: cancer (American Cancer Society, 2008). Some ways in which the American Cancer Society helps on the global level include: Global Cancer Facts and Figures, World Cancer Day, Relay for Life, International Tobacco Control, and many other programs and activities (American Cancer Society, 2008). The American Cancer Society is able to help at the local, national, and international level because its annual budget allows for it; as mentioned, the American Cancer Society is one of the largest non-profit voluntary public health organizations in the world (2008). According to the American Cancer Society, Inc.’s annual financial statements, in 2009, The American Cancer Society had a net asset of $1,589,634 with $1,017,679 allocated towards its budget (2009). American Cancer Society, Inc. reported that its budget is as follows: 15% research, 17% prevention, 13% detection/treatment, 27% patient support, 6% management, and 22% fundraising (2009). Public health will adapt and change with the times, but always the same basic guidelines that drive public health concerns: preventable diseases and death. Cancer has become a public health concern because everyone is affected by cancer in one form or another. The American Cancer Society has increased support through community involvement at the local level, celebrating birthdays at the national level, and educating at the international level just to name a few. The American Cancer Society will continue to be a productive effort because it is a public health organization that applies to all situations of cancer. In addition, the American Cancer Society takes a holistic approach to the fight against caner. As a result, the American Cancer Society has devoted itself to broadening the knowledge and reducing the incidences at the global level. This organization has assisted and will continue to assist the world with the fight against all types of cancers. References American Cancer Society (2008). About the American Cancer Society: Saving lives by helping people stay well, get well, find cures, & fight back. Retrieved March 5, 2011, from http://www.cancer.org/AboutUs/index American Cancer Society, Inc (2009). Combined financial statements as of and for the year ended August 31, 2009 with summarized financial information for the year ended August 31, 2008 and report of independent auditors. Retrieved March 26, 2011 from http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@ocoo-ocmdo/documents/document/acsq-019007.pdf Riegelman, R. (2010). Public health 101: Healthy people—healthy populations. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.