OUR MISSION

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

More than two-million volunteers who donate their time and resources, with the help of a relatively small professional staff, accomplish the work of the American Cancer Society.

More than 75% of all dollars raised support the American Cancer Society's primary objectives, which include providing service to cancer patients and their families, funding cancer research and offering public and professional education programs. The American Cancer Society relies solely on the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations for its support.

Locally, the Northwest Suburban Regional Offices of the American Cancer Society can be seen hard at work in your community. With hundreds of volunteers, we are able to effectively educate thousands of men, women and children on the prevention and early detection of cancer, provide information on cancer surgeries, treatments, diagnoses, and lend emotional support to cancer patients.

Patients and their families can find the cancer information they need by calling or visiting their Northwest Suburban Regional Office, calling our toll-free information line at 1-800-ACS-2345, or browsing the American Cancer Society web-site at www.cancer.org. We also can provide facts about cancer patient's rights, referrals to programs or summer camps for children with cancer, direction in locating a second opinion and assistance with transportation to and from cancer treatment centers.

American Cancer Society Basic Facts:

• The American Cancer Society is the premier non-government cancer fighting organization in America.

• The American Cancer Society Illinois Division is not a part of United Way.

• The American Cancer Society has funded the work of 32 researchers who went on to win the Noble Prize.

• Very aggressive goals have been set by the American Cancer Society to impact cancer rates in Illinois by the year 2015. These goals are to decrease cancer incidence by 25%, decrease the age-adjusted cancer mortality rate by 50%, and improve the quality of life from the time of diagnosis and for the balance of life for all cancer survivors.

• More than 8+ million Americans alive today have had cancer.

One in three Americans will eventually develop cancer.

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