American Cancer Society Steps Up Advocacy Activities

WASHINGTON--The American Cancer Society (ACS) has initiated a new, long-termadvocacy program aimed at enhancing its influence on federal and stategovernment actions that affect efforts to eliminate cancer.

"There is simply no more effective way of helping society bringcancer under control than to work in concert with government," saidACS chief executive officer John R. Seffrin, PhD. "A single pieceof legislation, if it incorporates some action we know could save livesfrom cancer, can immediately impact the likelihood of avoiding or survivingcancer for literally millions of people."

Through its Advocacy Program, the society plans to build and use anextensive network of volunteers to promote and advance ACS positions, policies,and goals. The plan calls for regional and state affiliates to focus greaterattention on national, state, and local issues.

The society will also develop a clearing house for state ACS divisionsand local chapters to use in planning strategy and tracking pending legislationat both the state and federal levels.

Linda Hay Crawford, ACS' newly appointed national vice president forfederal and state government relations, will direct the program. Ms. Crawfordis the widow of Victor Crawford, a former tobacco industry lobbyist turnedantito-bacco crusader, who died of lung cancer.

Catherine R. Grant, a former National Rifle Association official, willdirect development of the grassroots network.

The new program will focus on eight areas viewed by the ACS as vitalto controlling cancer

Goals for ACS NEW Public Policy Advocacy Strategy