This week, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, launches its first ever national solo television ad campaign. The ad, which calls for health care reform "NOW, not later," shows just how desperately families touched by cancer need a better health care system.

“As the leading patient voice in the debate, ACS CAN is redoubling its efforts at the most critical moment in the health care debate to heighten awareness on the gaps that exist in the system for families affected by cancer,” said John R. Seffrin, PhD, CEO of the American Cancer Society and ACS CAN. “Congress must act now to deliver on meaningful health care reform because the cost of waiting any longer is too great.”

ACS CAN has been working tirelessly in support of health care reform, pushing lawmakers to take action to fix the system this year. The ad is just another example of those efforts. It features the story of Dan Brodrick of Gainesboro, TN, who lost his wife to cancer because she couldn't get the care she needed. The Brodricks lost their insurance after a back injury forced Dan to leave his job, and dozens of insurance companies turned them down because his wife had a pre-existing health condition. He is now saddled with debt because of her medical bills.

“The sobering reality is that tens of millions of families across the country are one cancer diagnosis away from financial catastrophe,” said Daniel E. Smith, president of ACS CAN. “We need to reform the health system to improve the lives of those with cancer and other chronic diseases so that no one goes through what Dan Brodrick and his wife did before she lost her battle with cancer.”

The ad will run on Sunday morning talk shows on September 27 and will appear the following week on major national cable channels including CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC.

To see the ad, visit www.acscan.org.

Reviewed by: Members of the ACS Medical Content Staff