History
The American Cancer Society was founded in 1913 by 10 doctors and 5 laypeople in New York City. It was called the American Society for the Control of Cancer (ASCC). At that time, a cancer diagnosis meant near certain death, was rarely mentioned in public, and steeped in fear and denial. Doctors sometimes did not tell their patients they had cancer, and patients often did not tell their friends and families. The Society's founders knew they had to raise public awareness about cancer if progress was to be made against this disease. Despite the enormity of their task, our founders and their colleagues set about writing articles, publishing a monthly bulletin of cancer information, and recruiting doctors throughout the country to help educate the public. The American Cancer Society has since exponentially expanded research funding, educational and prevention campaigns, and investments in programs and service to support those affected by cancer.
Specialties
The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Our Global Headquarters are located in Atlanta, Georgia, and we have regional and local offices throughout the country to ensure we have a presence in every community. The American Cancer Society's mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. While most people know us for our research, we do so much more. We attack cancer from every angle. We promote healthy lifestyles to help you prevent cancer. We research cancer and its causes to find more answers and better treatments. We fight for lifesaving policy changes. We provide everything from emotional support to the latest cancer information for those who have been touched by cancer. And we do it all 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.