Together, We Can End Cancer As We Know It, For Everyone.
From 24/7 support to free lodging and rides to treatment, the American Cancer Society helps everyone access the care they need. We have contributed to almost every major cancer research breakthrough over the last 110 years and champion every person facing cancer with personalized guidance and a caring community.
Impact at a glance
Our leadership vision
What we can do together is greater than what any one of us can do alone. Every breakthrough, every patient served, every barrier removed, and every life touched is the result of people bringing their strengths to the same urgent challenge. The progress reflected in this report belongs to every donor, volunteer, advocate, researcher, partner, and supporter who chose to be part of something bigger than themselves. Together, we are accelerating discovery, expanding access to care and support, and creating more opportunities for people facing cancer to survive and thrive. We have already shown what sustained commitment can accomplish. Together, we have the opportunity to do even more.
Latest progress against cancer
Improving the lives of people facing cancer
From 24/7 support to free lodging and rides to treatment, the American Cancer Society helps everyone access the care they need.
Whether you’re a patient, survivor, or caregiver, we have information, support, and resources whenever you’re ready. We're by your side every step of the way.
Helping patients reach critical treatment
In just one year, American Cancer Society Hope Lodge® communities saved cancer patients and their families $85.6 million and provided 565,000 free nights of lodging. During the same time, more than 7,500 patients received 93,000 rides to their medical appointments from Road To Recovery® volunteer drivers. Our vital transportation and lodging services help patients access the care they need, easing their burden.
Innovation in cancer care
We are making it easier for people to access cancer information and support through new digital tools and programs. Our Innovation in Cancer Care storytelling project highlights how we are helping people navigate their cancer journey with confidence and making cancer care more accessible through resources like ACS CancerRisk360TM, ACS CARES®, and ACS ACTS.
Improving outcomes
The American Cancer Society has contributed to almost every major cancer research breakthrough over the last 110 years.
We've invested more than $5 billion in cancer research, making us the largest nonprofit funder of cancer research in the United States, outside of the federal government.
Publishing updated tools to understand the cancer burden
The Cancer Atlas, 4th Edition presents the most up-to-date scientific data and evidence-based consensus across the cancer continuum.
The U.S. Tobacco Atlas provides a comprehensive overview of the tobacco epidemic in the US, emphasizing its health and economic impacts and relevance to cancer prevention and control.
Cancer Prevention Study II (CPS-II) celebrates landmark findings
CPS-II launched in 1982 and grew to 1.2 million participants, producing findings that helped shape some of the American Cancer Society’s current cancer prevention guidelines. Other landmark findings include:
- The association between regular aspirin use and reduced colorectal cancer risk
- Excess body weight increases the risk of premature death and multiple site-specific cancers
- Greater adherence to American Cancer Society nutrition and physical activity guidelines lowers cancer mortality and reduces deaths from other chronic diseases
Updated Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
In December 2025, the American Cancer Society updated screening guidelines for cervical cancer to include information on when people may be able to safely exit screening, as well as self-collection of vaginal samples for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing.
Improving lives through advocacy
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network advocates for science-backed policies to lessen the impact of cancer on all communities.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) harnessed the power of volunteers across the country to drive meaningful change. Our voices were the catalyst for lifesaving public policy victories critical to impacting cancer. Thanks to unwavering commitment, we achieved monumental progress over the last year.
Improving access to early detection and cancer screenings
After five years of advocacy, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act was signed into law. This historic legislation creates a pathway for Medicare coverage of innovative multicancer early detection tests, once they are approved by the FDA and shown to have clinical benefit.
Expanding access to biomarker testing
As of March 31, 2026, 23 states have enacted biomarker testing coverage laws, expanding access to and helping reduce cost and coverage barriers for testing essential for precision cancer treatment for millions of people covered by state-regulated health plans including Medicaid.
Voices of cancer research
After the administration proposed a significant cut to federal funding, the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill demonstrated bipartisan commitment to advancing cancer research and saving lives by continued and increased funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The rejection of administration cuts and commitment by Congress to continue with robust funding levels followed months of tenacious advocacy by ACS CAN volunteers nationwide.
The people and partnerships behind the mission
Our donors, partners, and volunteers are the backbone of the American Cancer Society's mission. Their generosity fuels groundbreaking research, expands vital patient services, and empowers advocacy efforts that save lives.
Your gift means we can continue to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families.
Fundraisers making a difference
The American Cancer Society saw a significant increase in high-impact fundraising events, growing from 29 events each raising over $1 million in 2025 to 36 such events in fiscal year 2026. This growth highlights our expanding community engagement and the generosity of our supporters, enabling us to fund more groundbreaking research, provide critical patient services, and advocate for policies that improve cancer care nationwide.
Our valued partners
Progress against cancer doesn't happen in isolation; it happens when mission-driven organizations unite behind a shared purpose. The American Cancer Society is proud to stand alongside our corporate partners who bring innovation, dedication, and compassion to the forefront of cancer research, advocacy, and patient support.
The impact of legacy giving lives on
Legacy gifts help ensure progress against cancer continues for generations to come. By including the American Cancer Society in their estate plans, supporters provide long-term funding that helps advance groundbreaking research, expand access to care, and strengthen advocacy efforts that improve and save lives.
This enduring generosity helps make our mission possible, from supporting more than 10.6 million lives through patient programs and services to investing more than $524 million in cancer research and continuing a legacy of contributing to almost every major cancer research breakthrough over the last 110 years. Legacy donors are helping build a future where more people can prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.
American Cancer Society stories
Sharing stories is our way of inspiring hope and raising awareness. Read stories of real people who have survived cancer, learn about the dedicated researchers advancing treatments, and meet the generous donors whose support fuels our mission. Discover the positive impact the American Cancer Society has on countless cancer journeys and hear from those making a difference in the lives of people with cancer and their families.
Without Hope Lodge, participating in this clinical trial would have been financially toxic. I would have been sinking money for accommodations that would have strained the budget.
Join our vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
We could not continue this important work without our supporters. With your support, we can help even more people facing cancer.
