2014 Relay Advocacy Handbook
About ACS CAN
About ACS CAN
About ACS CAN
YOUR VOICE.
The fight against cancer is a growing nationwide movement, and every
voice matters.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, ACS CAN, is the
advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society and advocates for cancer
patients and their families at all levels of government. ACS CAN and its
members are working to make cancer a national priority.
Putting an end to cancer is an enormous undertaking, which is why we
need as many people as possible to speak up and let Congress know we are
not backing down.
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YOUR STORY.
ACS CAN helps you tell your story so elected officials understand how
important cancer-related issues are to their constituents. Everyone has a
story about how cancer has affected them, and ACS CAN wants to make
sure all those voices are heard. Our volunteers share their stories at lobby
days, via email or phone calls, and on the ACS CAN website.
The personal experiences of ACS CAN volunteers make a very powerful
statement in the fight against cancer. ACS CAN amplifies our voice by
combining your story with those of other people in your community and
around the country. Together, these stories make a real difference.
YOUR FIGHT.
Together with our members and volunteers, we are working to make sure
elected officials are doing all they can in the fight against cancer by:
• Fighting to increase cancer research funding
• Supporting smoke-free laws and higher tobacco taxes
• Advocating for funding for programs that provide lifesaving screening
and treatments
• Ensuring that everyone has access to quality health care
• Advocating for laws to ensure cancer patients have access to care that
will improve their quality of life
To find out the latest information about our fight against cancer, visit us
at acscan.org/relay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the American Cancer Society
and ACS CAN?
ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American
Cancer Society. It was created to enable the steady growth of advocacy efforts
that aim to eliminate cancer through legislative action. Because of the
American Cancer Society’s 501(c)(3) status and IRS guidelines, it is unable
to take on these efforts to the extent of ACS CAN.
How will ACS CAN do its part in eliminating cancer?
Among other legislative activities, ACS CAN will:
• Create and distribute voter guides, detailing candidates’ positions on
specific health-related issues, to ACS CAN volunteers and donors.
• Host debates, town forums, and other events around the country where
candidates' views on cancer-related issues are tested and discussed
• Engage in more active lobbying on cancer issues for all ACS constituents
• Educate the public and media more directly about cancer and the
political cancer agenda
• Hold lawmakers accountable for their votes and voiced opinions
regarding cancer issues
Does ACS CAN have a membership program and does it cost
anything?
By becoming a member of ACS CAN, you join a nationwide grassroots
organization dedicated to eliminating cancer. As a member, you will
receive regular electronic newsletters to keep you informed and up-to-date
on all ACS CAN progress. You may also be contacted to attend ACS CAN
events, or be sent action alerts on important legislative issues asking you
to take action by writing a letter, sending an e-mail, or making a phone
call to an elected leader. The small $10 donation will fund ACS CAN
legislative advocacy efforts to increase government funding of cancer
research, prevention, and treatment programs. This fee also allows ACS
CAN to issue advertisements and create constituent voter guides to put
pressure on elected officials. Please note that donations to ACS CAN are
not tax deductible.
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Will ACS CAN take sides in the political arena?
No. ACS CAN is a nonpartisan organization that operates on a free-form,
ideological basis aiming to find a cure for cancer on behalf of its constituents. ACS CAN will not:
• Expressly endorse or advocate defeat of political candidates or political
parties
• Form Political Action Committees (PACs)
• Contribute money to or on behalf of political candidates
How do I know when it is time to renew my ACS CAN
membership?
ACS CAN membership is valid for a full year after any contribution of $10
or more. ACS CAN will track your donations and send you a renewal notice
before your membership expires to serve as a reminder and to offer options
on how to renew. A few weeks after your first ACS CAN donation, you will
receive a membership card with your “valid through” month and year
printed on it. This date signifies how long your membership will last. If you
donate $10 or more before that “valid through” date, your membership will
be extended for one year from the date of your second gift. You will then
receive a new membership card each time you donate to ACS CAN, with
a new “valid through” month indicating your membership’s extended
expiration date. The membership card will also have your individual ACS
CAN ID number.
How do I find out more?
Please visit www.acscan.org for more information and answers.
Contributions or gifts to ACS CAN, Inc. are not tax deductible.
Membership
Membership
Membership
Membership and Recruitment
Membership FAQs
1. What is the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM
(ACS CAN)? ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate
of the American Cancer Society, dedicated to eliminating cancer as a
major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage lawmakers and
candidates to support laws and policies that will make cancer a top
national priority. For more information, visit www.acscan.org.
2. How do I join ACS CAN? You become a member of ACS CAN by making
a donation of just $10 by credit card on line at www.acscan.org/donate,
or you can make your membership contribution of $10 by cash or check
through the mail. It is important that you complete an ACS CAN membership form with your donation so that we are able to send you your
membership benefits, email newsletters, and action alerts. Membership
forms can be found at: www.acscan.org/resources or by contacting us at
202-661-5700. All donations and completed membership forms should
be sent to: ACS CAN, P.O. Box 720295, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0295.
3. Why should I join ACS CAN? ACS CAN is dedicated to empowering
members to fight the war on cancer by giving them a voice in the
halls of Congress, state capitols, and city halls. To accomplish this,
ACS CAN must build a grassroots movement empowered to fight for
the end of this disease through legislative action.
By becoming a member of ACS CAN, you will join a movement with
countless other cancer advocates, survivors, and caretakers who are
fighting back by demanding that cancer be a national priority for all of
our elected officials. ACS CAN members take action to show lawmakers
that their constituents care about cancer. Your donations to ACS CAN
help fund national and statewide programs to encourage candidates
and lawmakers to fund research and provide access to quality health
care, prevention, early detection, and treatment.
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4. How does ACS CAN use my membership fees and donations?
Membership fees and donations help ACS CAN train and organize its
members so that they can effectively take action and communicate
with their elected officials and candidates to make cancer a national
priority. ACS CAN engages in legislative advocacy and funds issue
advertisements to increase government funding of cancer research,
early detection, prevention, and treatment programs. Voters can
make informed decisions with the help of ACS CAN voter guides
that detail lawmakers’ and candidates’ positions on cancer-related
concerns. In addition, ACS CAN can host debates, town forums, and
other events throughout the country to discuss candidates’ views on
cancer-related issues.
5. Does ACS CAN contribute money to candidates or endorse them?
No. ACS CAN is a nonpartisan advocacy organization; ACS CAN
does not contribute money to or on behalf of political candidates, nor
does it expressly endorse or advocate defeat of political candidates.
6. How much does it cost to join ACS CAN? All donations are
greatly appreciated; however, basic ACS CAN membership begins
at just $10. If you choose to contribute above the basic $10 fee, you
may be eligible for a higher membership tier and additional ACS
CAN membership benefits, which are accrued on a calendar year
basis. More information on membership benefits is available at
www.acscan.org/membership_benefits, or you may contact ACS
CAN at 202-661-5700 or ican@acscan.org.
7. Is my ACS CAN membership
tax-deductible? Because we
use your donations to support
our citizen-based advocacy and
lobbying efforts to end cancer,
contributions or gifts to ACS
CAN are not tax-deductible.
8. Why do I need to complete a membership form with my initial
donation? It is important that you complete an ACS CAN membership
form with your donation. This enables us to easily identify our members
and to send you your membership benefits, email newsletters, and
action alerts.
9. How often do I need to renew my ACS CAN membership? Just like
with any membership organization, you will be sent a renewal notice
about a month before your membership is up for renewal. This letter
will include instructions on how to continue your membership.
10. How do I know when my membership is up for renewal? A few weeks
after your first ACS CAN donation, you will receive a membership
card showing when your membership is up for renewal. Please save
this card, as it contains valuable membership and contact information.
You will receive a new membership card each time you donate and
your renewal date changes.
11. What if I receive two membership cards? Please check the ACS
CAN Member ID on both cards to see if they are different numbers.
If they are different, it is likely that we have more than one record in
our database for you. Please contact us at (202) 661-5700 or
ican@acscan.org so we can correct our records. Keep in mind that
you receive a new member card each time you make a donation to
ACS CAN with an updated “valid through” date.
12. Can I renew my ACS CAN
membership early? Yes, you
can renew your membership
at any time by going to
www.acscan.org/renewals. An
additional twelve months will
be added to your membership
from the date you made your
renewal payment, and you
will be mailed an additional
membership card with a new
“valid through” date.
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We are an ACS CAN Club
Relay For Life event.
Nationwide ACS CAN CLUB Program
The Nationwide ACS CAN CLUB program is an excellent way for Relay
For Life events and teams to get recognized for ACS CAN membership
recruitment. This program is a proven successful strategy to increase our
grassroots power in the fight against cancer, and therefore, ACS CAN
CLUB is going to be available to ALL Relay For Life events.
Divisions may decide to roll this program out to a targeted number of events
based on additional standards that meet the needs of their Relay For Life
overall strategy. The primary purpose of the ACS CAN CLUB is to reward
Relay For Life events that EXCEED their goals for ACS CAN recruitment.
Why ACS CAN?
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the
leading advocacy organization; giving a voice to cancer patients and their
families at the local, state and federal levels of government. Decisions are
made EVERY DAY that could help us prevent, treat and find cures for
cancer — ACS CAN is the grassroots movement that will do whatever it
takes to put an end to cancer as we know it. Donations and membership
dues help ACS CAN fund national and statewide campaigns to encourage
candidates and lawmakers to become champions for cancer research and
policies that will help prevent and treat cancer more effectively.
ACS CAN CLUB National Standards
There are a couple of ways the ACS CAN Club can be implemented.
Divisions may choose to implement this recognition program at the event
level, at the team level, or both. Separate materials will be developed that
promote the team and event program individually. Below is a brief list of
MINIMUM standards that are required for each level of recognition.
ACS CAN CLUB: Event Level Recognition
The ACS CAN CLUB program is easy to implement and will give your
Relay For Life events a significant role in helping to reach the mission of
our organization. The standards listed below are MINIMUM standards.
Communities/Events/States/Divisions may increase the goals set if desired.
• Designate a volunteer or staff member to track results and distribute
ACS CAN CLUB materials*
• Recruit at least 40 ACS CAN members per event
ACS CAN CLUB: Team Level Recognition
The ACS CAN CLUB will also be available at the team level. The standards
for team level ACS CAN CLUB recognition include:
• Designate a volunteer or staff member to track results and distribute
ACS CAN CLUB materials*
• Each CAN CLUB team will recruit at least 10 ACS CAN members
*If there is a Relay/Advocacy Chair in place, this individual should be assigned this responsibility.
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Nationwide ACS CAN CLUB Recognition Program
All events that reach the MINIMUM standards for the ACS CAN CLUB
program will receive the banner pictured below and will receive a sticker
that indicates the year of the accomplishment. Events that reach the ACS
CAN CLUB standards in progressive years, will receive a sticker each year
they achieve the goals set by the program. The sticker (pictured below) will
include the appropriate year each year the standards are met. In addition,
events that reach 100 ACS CAN members will receive a certificate signed by
the ACS CAN president, and events that exceed 200 will be acknowledged
at National and Regional Training opportunities.
ACS CAN CLUB
2013
ACS CAN CLUB
2013
All teams that reach the MINIMUM standards for the ACS CAN CLUB
program will receive a campsite sign. Each team that reaches the ACS CAN
CLUB standards in progressive years will receive a patch each year they
achieve the goals set by the program. The patch will include the appropriate
year. Signs will be available each year for returning (if the sign has been
misplaced) and new ACS CAN CLUB teams.
Nationwide recognition will be standardized, however, if communities/
states/divisions have other ways to recognize ACS CAN CLUB teams and
events that are NO COST options (such as an ACS CAN CLUB lap, mention
on event web page, etc.), that is perfectly acceptable and encouraged.
ACS CAN CLUB Tracking Guidelines
To the right is a picture of a very simple
tracking form for ACS CAN Club event
recognition. A similar form is available for
team-level tracking. You may get both
forms from your ACS CAN staff partner.
Membership Benefits
What kind of benefits do I get for being
an annual member of ACS CAN?
ACS CAN Member — $10
• Legislative toolkit
• Membership card
• Monthly newsletter with “Members Only” premium content
ACS CAN Premium Member —
$20 and up
• Premium Annual ACS CAN member item for 2014 is a purple shoe
key chain (contact your Advocacy
Staff Partner for more information)
• Legislative toolkit
• Membership card
• Monthly newsletter with
“Members Only” premium content
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Leader’s Circle — $250 to $499 (all of the above, plus)
• ACS CAN journal notebook
• Acknowledgement in the annual Advocacy Accomplishments report
Hero’s Circle — $500 to $999 (all of the above, plus)
• Hero’s Circle ACS CAN lapel pin
Champion’s Circle — $1,000 to $2,999 (all of the above, plus)
• Champion’s Circle ACS CAN lapel pin
President’s Circle — $3,000 to $9,999 (all of the above, plus)
• President’s Circle ACS CAN lapel pin
• Regularly scheduled President's Circle conference call
• Sneak preview of upcoming advertising campaigns
• Invitation to the exclusive two-day “Inside DC” President’s Circle trip
• Name on the national donor plaque at ACS CAN headquarters
• Legislative email updates from ACS CAN president
Relay Advocacy Chair Online Training
For everything you need to know about being a Relay Advocacy Chair,
visit acscan.org/relay and click on the Relay Advocacy Chair training button to participate in an online training.
This online training will walk
you through general information
about ACS CAN and will guide
you through your Relay Advocacy Chair responsibilities.
Recruitment Quick Facts!
What is ACS CAN?
• ACS CAN is the leading advocacy organization for all those touched
by cancer – fighting for cures at all levels of government.
• ACS CAN is a movement of survivors, caregivers, and people who
care about cancer and are committed to working to make the fight
against cancer a top national priority.
• ACS CAN is able to hold our elected officials accountable for their
stance on issues impacting cancer by producing voter guides.
ACS CAN and Research — The Millions Versus the Billions
• The American Cancer Society is the second-largest funder of cancer
research.
• The Federal government spends the most on cancer research each
year – in fact, the government spends BILLIONS of dollars each year.
• ACS CAN lobbies the federal government to make sure that our tax
dollars are spent on cancer research funding.
• ACS CAN is the voice that influences our elected officials to do what
works to fight cancer.
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ACS CAN and Quality of Life
• ACS CAN is working to pass federal legislation to improve the lives of
cancer patients by making treatment of their pain and other symptoms and coordination of their care a standard protocol during their
treatment.
• Improving quality of life for cancer patients during and after their
treatment is one of the American Cancer Society's main goals.
ACS CAN and Early Detection
• It is a priority for ACS CAN to get laws passed that ensures everyone
has access to proven screening methods such as mammography.
• Since 1991, more than 7.2 million women have been screened
through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early detection program.
But right now, the program reaches fewer than one in five eligible
women aged 50 to 64.
• ACS CAN is also committed to ensuring that everyone has access to
colon cancer screening – a cancer that can be caught early and
treated effectively when it is.
ACS CAN and Tobacco
• ACS CAN led the fight to have the
Food and Drug Administration
regulate tobacco as a drug.
• ACS CAN won the fight to increase the federal tobacco tax to
62 cents, the largest single increase ever.
• This increase will mean a 4 percent decrease in overall cigarette
consumption and 1.9 million children will not start smoking.
• ACS CAN also works with the
states to fund campaigns to increase their tobacco taxes.
ACS CAN and Smoke-free — Saving Lives
• More than 48.2 percent of the U.S. population is covered by smokefree laws.
• As of April 1, 2012, 23 states, plus the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin
Islands and Puerto Rico, have 100%smoke-free work place laws.
• In 2012, ACS CAN funded smoke-free campaigns in nine states.
ACS CAN and Nutrition and Physical Activity
• ACS CAN is working to pass laws to help decrease cancer deaths related
to obesity.
• Things we can do to accomplish this goal include: improve school nutrition standards; increase the quality and quantity of physical education
in schools; reduce marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to our
youth; increase investments in interventions to reduce overweight and
obesity; improve nutrition and increase physical activity opportunities.
ACS CAN and Health Care Reform
ACS CAN is committed to making sure all Americans have access to quality,
affordable health coverage and will continue to fight to ensure the issues
facing cancer patients – such as pre-existing conditions – are considered
when any debate about Health Care Reform is occurring.
Relay For Life and ACS CAN; We're Better Together!
Team Captain Meeting Script
Hello I am __________ and I am so excited to be here today to talk about
one more way that we can fight cancer together. The key word being
TOGETHER! Just remember, we are BETTER TOGETHER!
How many of you have heard of The American Cancer Society Cancer Action
Network or ACS CAN? My goal is to make sure that each of you here today
learns one new thing about ACSCAN and how you can join us TODAY.
First I would like to show you a short video that will explain some of the
accomplishments of the ACS CAN and how many of our efforts are powered by Relay For Life volunteers just like you.
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SHOW VIDEO
We all work so hard to raise dollars for research to find a cure. Can anyone tell me how much the American Cancer Society contributed to research last year?
It was a 119 million. Let me repeat that. With your support the
American Cancer Society contributed 119 million dollars to fund
research last year.
That support funds studies that will lead to…..
Better, more effective screenings;
Treatments with fewer side effects;
Findings on how we can prevent more cancers.
So much important work is being done with that 119 million dollars. But did
you know that although that’s an incredible number we, the American Cancer
Society, are number TWO in the nation for support of cancer research?
Anyone have any idea who number one is?
That’s right, it’s the federal government. Last year the federal government
contributed 5 BILLION dollars towards cancer research. The Federal Government spends 30 TIMES the amount we spend each year.
BUT remember our theme – BETTER TOGETHER? This is also true when
talking about research funding. The funds you raise help get a researcher
started BUT the funds from the Government help get the research
COMPLETE and help get the treatment, the cures, the prevention from
the labs to OUR communities.
Wouldn’t it be great if we not only got to decide where our $119 million
goes but also how much the government spends on cancer research? The
good news is we CAN!!! This is what ACS CAN does EVERY DAY!!! We are
working the halls of Congress and mobilizing our grassroots volunteers
every single day to ensure cancer research gets funded.
We are fighting cancer TOGETHER. It’s the battle of a lifetime and we
need you to join forces with us. We need to attack this from every angle
possible if we want to succeed in finding cures. I’m asking you to become
a member of the most powerful grassroots movement – working day-in
and day-out to make ending cancer a top national priority.
It’s only $10.00 for an annual membership, for $20 you get an annual membership PLUS this key chain which is a visual reminder that we are spreading the HOPE one step at a time – on the Relay track and in the halls of
government. If our event recruits 40 or more members to ACS CAN, we
will get recognized as an ACS CAN CLUB event – as Relayers we CAN
show our power and we CAN make a difference.
Thank you. Thanks to each and every one of you who will join me today.
[Pass out forms and pause to let volunteers sign up].
We are better together.
ACS CAN Membership Recruitment Sample Script 2
ACS CAN helps to save lives from cancer. ACS CAN gives a voice to patients,
survivors, and caregivers – a voice that must be heard so others don’t have
to be faced with cancer. ACS CAN works to influence our elected officials
to do what we know works to fight cancer. ACS CAN makes an impact by
helping pass laws that help prevent and treat cancer.
As the American Cancer Society is celebrating its 100th Birthday, ACS CAN
will partner in their effort to Finish the Fight. By making lawmakers know
that we care about fighting cancer, ACS CAN continues to be the stronger
voice in the effort to put an end to this disease.
Join ACS CAN TODAY and together, we can urge Congress to use their
power to put an end to cancer once and for all.
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Resources
On-Line Resources
www.acscan.org/relay
This is a page where Relay For Life participants can go to find additional
resources, such as tool kits and campaign information, and to take action and share their activities with other volunteers.
Relay Advocacy Chair Online Training
Visit acscan.org/relay and click on the Relay Advocacy Chair Training
button for all you need to know about your role.
www.acscan.org
Visit this site for more information on the Federal and State Campaigns in
which ACS CAN is involved. Click on the Resources tab to download additional
tools such as the ACS CAN Recruitment Kit and ACS CAN Answer Book.
Facebook, MySpace, Twitter
Join one or all of these social networking tools and learn what other ACS CAN
friends are doing, thinking, and talking about. Support causes and learn
the most up-to-date news and information about cancer-related issues
with a click of a mouse!
ACS CAN YouTube Channel
To view videos about ACS CAN, visit the ACS CAN YouTube Channel.
Quality of Life Campaign
Research
ACS CAN Quality of Life Initiative
1. What is the ACS CAN Quality of Life initiative? It is federal legislation
to improve the lives of cancer patients by making treatment of their pain
and other symptoms and coordination of their care standard protocol
during their treatment for cancer. Studies have shown that coordinating
patient care and treating pain and symptoms leads to increased patient
and family satisfaction.
2. Why is ACS CAN making this a federal legislative priority? Improving
quality of life for cancer patients during and after treatment is one of
the American Cancer Society’s main goals. Cancer patients often have
pain and treatment for cancer can leave survivors with permanent side
effects. The idea here is to take away some of the unnecessary pain, fear
and anxiety that many patients feel, and to make recovery and survivorship easier. The way to do that is to give patients palliative care.
3. What is palliative care? Palliative care is focused on providing patients
with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness. The
goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and other specialists
who work with the patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of
support. Palliative care is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a
serious illness, and can help patients get well faster and easier.
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4. Why aren’t cancer patients getting palliative care now? Many of
them are. Over the last ten years, palliative care has been one of the
fastest-growing trends in health care. The number of palliative care programs within hospital settings has increased by 138 percent since 2000.
5. What would ACS CAN’s legislation do? The ACS CAN legislation
would address patient barriers to palliative care in three key areas by:
(1) ensuring sufficient numbers of specialists to teach doctors and
nurses to provide high quality palliative care; (2) investing in research on
ways to improve patient quality of life through palliative care; and (3) by
delivering high-quality palliative care in hospitals, and later expanding
that care to other community sites where cancer patients are treated.
Palliative care sees the person beyond the cancer treatment. It gives the patient control. It brings trained
specialists together with doctors and nurses in a team-based approach to manage pain and other symptoms,
explain treatment options, and improve quality of life during serious illness. Palliative care is all about treating
the patient as well as the disease. It’s a big shift in focus for health care delivery—and it works.
Support palliative care legislation (H.R. 1339, S. 641 & H.R. 1666). Bring quality of life and care together for the millions facing cancer.
Taylor’s Story: Impact of Cancer Treatment on Quality of Life
Taylor Wilhite was diagnosed with cancer at
only 8 years old. She was diagnosed with
Acute Myeloid Leukemia – a fast growing
cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Taylor
had a bone marrow transplant when she was
nine, and since then, she has been in remission.
Unfortunately, that isn’t where her cancer
story ended.
While Taylor may be in remission, she is still
living with side-effects from her treatment.
Because of the cancer treatment Taylor received to save her life, she is currently battling
avascular necrosis, a disease where there is
cellular death of bone components due to interruption of blood supply.
The result: dying bone tissue and collapsing bones. The side effects have
caused her to need a total hip replacement.
The repercussions of Taylor’s cancer treatment have very much affected
her quality of life. Improving quality of life for cancer patients and their
families during and after treatment is one of ACS CAN’s main goals, and
because of stories just like Taylor’s, we are making this a top priority.
Support Materials for the “Spread the Hope One Step at a Time”
Advocacy Campaign
To order the following materials for your Relay For Life event, work with
your ACS CAN staff partners.
You have the Power to Improve the
for
QUALITY of LIFE
MILLIONS OF AMERICANS
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, life changes forever.
By supporting palliative care legislation you will be taking one
large step to ensure cancer patients and their families get the
support and care they need to live the best quality of life possible.
Along with three million other Americans, I participate in Relay
For Life to help put an end to cancer. As my elected official, you
have the power to make a difference and I’m asking for your help.
Join the Relay For Life participants in your community and
support the palliative care legislation (H.R. 1339, S. 641,
H.R. 1666) .
By supporting this legislation, you will be helping cancer patients
and their families get what they need when faced with the disease,
such as: coordinated and patient-centered care, pain and stress
management, nutritional, caregiver, and psychological support.
Bring quality of life and care together
for the millions facing cancer.
FY 2014 ACS CAN Relay For Life Petition: Each pad
includes 50 petitions. These petitions will be delivered
to members of Congress to help urge them to make
the Quality of Life issue a priority. You should order
up to four per Relay For Life event.
Name: __________________________________________*
Email:____________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________
City: _____________________ State: _____ Zip: __________
*We care about your privacy and protect how your information is used. To view our complete privacy policy, or if you have any questions, please visit acscan.org.
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FY 2014 ACS CAN Relay For Life Lapel Sticker:
These lapel stickers come in rolls of 50 and should
be used at Relay For Life events when a participant
takes an advocacy action.
FY 2014 ACS CAN Relay For Life Banner: The intention of this banner
is to help those participating in Relay For Life events understand the
many components of quality of life for cancer patients and make them
aware that legislators have the opportunity to vote for improved quality
of life for all cancer patients, their families, friends and caregivers. Banners
are 6’ wide by 4’ tall.
FY 2014 ACS CAN Relay For Life Membership
Premium: These keychains will be a great way
to encourage ACS CAN membership at the $20
level. Strict standards will be placed on orders
to ensure proper use of the product. Work with
your staff partner to obtain these items.
ACS CAN Relay For Life Track Sign: Your staff partner can help you
order track signs for your event. There are three different track signs in the
series for each event. H-stands should be ordered separately ONLY if they
are needed. Track signs help promote ACS CAN messaging at Relay For
Life events. Signs are 18” wide by 24” tall.
fo
QUAL
ITY of LIFE
ACS CAN Relay For Life Interactive
Quality of Life Activity: New for 2014!
Relayers tell a story on each shoe and
write what quality of life means to
them. The shoe signs can be attached
to walls, fences or hung from tent
awnings at Relay events for all participants to read.
rs
om
e o ne f
it
ac e d w
s...
ean
rm
ce
an
hc
.
ACS CAN Relay For Life Membership Recruitment Brochure: A brochure
has been created to help you recruit Relayers to join ACS CAN.
(Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr.) First Name MI Last Name Home Address City Yes! I want to join the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
Inc. or ACS CAN)
A minimum $10 contribution is required in order for you to become a
member and participate in program activities.
Event Name ____________________________________________________
Exp. Date: Month Year Credit Card No.
$10 $20 $40 $100 Other $_________
Cash Check (To American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network,
American Express Discover Mastercard Visa
Signature ___________________________________________________
acscan.org/relay
State Zip Code -
Follow us on Twitter! Tweet at us and Retweet
@ACSCAN.
Your gift along with this form can be returned to:
ACS CAN, PO Box 720295, Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0295
Facebook.com/acscan
.
Make sure you like us on Facebook for up-to-date
information!
@
Social Media
Home Phone w/Area Code --
Step 2: Stay Informed. For more information
about what ACS CAN is doing to secure
government funding for research projects
that make cancer breakthroughs possible,
and other legislative initiatives, as well as
how Relay participants can get involved,
please visit www.acscan.org/relay.
Email Address
Step 1: Join. Joining ACS CAN is easy! Simply fill
out the attached form. For as little as $10,
an annual membership will go a long way
in the hope to make cancer history.
CONTRIBUTIONS OR GIFTS TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CANCER ACTION
NETWORK, INC. (ACS CAN) ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE AS CHARITABLE
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES; THEY SUPPORT YOUR
CITIZEN-BASED ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING EFFORTS.
Join ACS CAN Today
When You Join ACS CAN
Your Voice Has More Power!
Join the Fight.
Join us. Join
ACS CAN.
Be HEARD!
By taking action and joining ACS
CAN, you can let your elected officials
know that cancer is an important
issue to you. Together, we can urge
them to maintain funding for cancer
research and critical programs that
contribute to cancer survival rates.
When you join ACS CAN, you
support our efforts to:
• Increase funding for
cancer research
• Improve cancer screening and
prevention programs
• Establish quality of
life programs
• And more!
Join our efforts to spread the hope one step at a time
by filling out the attached membership form and
becoming a member of ACS CAN today.
ACS CAN and Relay For Life are
fighting cancer together. It is the
battle of a lifetime and we need the
power of our grassroots movement to
be successful in finding cures.
Your voice will help us put an end to
cancer. Join ACS CAN today.
We Are
RELAYERS.
We joined ACS CAN to have a
stronger voice with lawmakers.
HOPE
to end cancer.
acscan.org/relay
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Spread the Hope by Recruiting New ACS CAN Members
Calendar
Calendar
January
Bring in the New Year!
Every January, Congress gets back to work – new priorities, new budgets,
challenges and opportunities. Let's start the year off right by letting our
elected officials know that we want fighting CANCER to be one of the priority issues.
Each January, the president addresses the country in the annual State of the
Union address to the nation. During this address, the president's legislative
priorities are laid out to Congress and the rest of the country. Each year
ACS CAN volunteers have house parties across the country to watch the
State of the Union address together to see if the president mentions cancer or
any of our other legislative priorities. ACS CAN hosts an online chat and
creates fun interactive tools for you to use at your house party.
Visit acscan.org to download tools and to find the link to the live chat.
acscan.org
HOPE for breakthroughs in research
2014
January
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February
President’s Day Recess & Valentine’s Day
Start working with your Relay committee chairs and staff partner to ensure
you have what they need for team captain meetings. Start deciding if you
are inviting federal, state and local elected officials to your Relay For Life
events. Be sure to visit acscan.org/relay for legal guidance when contacting
elected officials.
Congress typically celebrates President’s Day with a congressional recess.
During recess, members of Congress will return home to listen to constituents
and hear their concerns. Contact your ACS CAN staff partner to find
meetings in your area. A face-to-face meeting is one of the most effective
ways to encourage lawmakers to support our legislative priorities.
Deliver Valentine’s Day cards to elected officials. This is another opportunity to bring cancer issues to the minds of our elected officials. ACS
CAN will provide a specific legislative message for the cards, but sharing
your personal story will be the most effective way to persuade lawmakers.
Visit www.acscan.org/relay to learn more about current campaigns.
acscan.org
ACS CAN is the voice of
HOPE for all cancer survivors.
2014
February
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March
National Nutrition Month
Did you know that one of the best things we can do to help prevent cancer
is to prevent youth from starting bad habits while they are young? Imagine if our youth never started to smoke, ate healthy and were physically active throughout their lives so they never became overweight or obese, and
when they got older got all of their recommended cancer screenings. If all
of these things happened, we could prevent up to HALF of cancer deaths.
Use the National Nutrition Month to speak about ways ACS CAN is working
to decrease cancer deaths related to obesity.
At your team captain or committee meeting discuss the following ways we
are working to make an impact on this issue:
• improving school nutrition standards;
• increasing the quality and quantity of physical education in schools;
• reducing the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to our youth;
• increasing investments in interventions to reduce overweight and obesity;
• improving nutrition and increase physical activity opportunities.
We are spreading the HOPE one step at a time. The voice of Relayers will
make a difference on these issues and more. This is a great way to help
promote ACS CAN membership through your Relay For Life this month!
Ask your staff partner to share the Nutrition and Physical
Activity Quiz and script you can use at your team captains
meetings to help promote this important issue.
acscan.org
ACS CAN takes the
HOPE of Relayers to lawmakers.
2014
March
Sunday
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April
The Power of Membership
If you haven't already done so, take a minute to join ACS CAN online at
www.acscan.org/relay. By joining ACS CAN, you are becoming part of a
movement that is committed to making cancer a national priority.
Participate in a congressional spring recess event. Contact your local
ACS CAN staff partner to find out what the focus is for this upcoming recess and how you can get involved.
This is also a perfect time of the year to recruit team captains to become
members of ACS CAN. You may want to introduce the ACS CAN CLUB
to them and encourage them to recruit their team members to join ACS
CAN as well. Sample scripts are posted on acscan.org/relay but the best
way to recruit members is to tell your personal story.
acscan.org
We
HOPE to dance at our grandson's wedding.
2014
April
Sunday
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May
Mother’s Day & Memorial Day Recess
Send a special Mother’s Day message to the special ladies in your life;
encourage them to join ACS CAN in the fight against breast cancer. ACS CAN
is fighting cancer by working to ensure that uninsured and underinsured
women have access to lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings.
Around Mother’s Day, we are asking volunteers to urge Congress to put the
power of the purse behind research funding that will help us to improve
prevention, detection and treatment methods for breast cancer. Visit
acscan.org/makingstrides to find out other ways we can put an end to
breast cancer as we know it.
Participate in Memorial Day congressional recess events. Contact your
ACS CAN staff partner to find out when meetings are being scheduled in
your area. A face-to-face meeting is one of the most effective ways to
encourage lawmakers to support legislative priorities.
acscan.org
I have
HOPE that my children will never face cancer.
2014
May
Sunday
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June
National Cancer Survivors Month
Help celebrate the 12 million cancer survivors in this country. Honor all
survivors by calling on your member of Congress to urge them to support
quality of life/palliative care legislation.
Plan for the advocacy and ACS CAN recruitment activities at your local Relay
For Life event. Contact your ACS CAN staff partner regarding materials
and additional resources that might be available to you.
Be sure you have all of your ACS CAN Relay materials for your event:
• Quality of Life petition
• Quality of Life interactive activity
• Quality of Life Event Banner
• Lapel Stickers
• Track Signs
acscan.org
We share the
HOPE of a world without cancer.
2014
June
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July
July Recess
Participate in a Fourth of July congressional recess visit. Contact your local
ACS CAN staff partner to find out when meetings are being scheduled in
your area.
Take time to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper urging
lawmakers to do their part in supporting ACS CAN’s legislative agenda.
To find out more and get the latest up-to-date information, visit
www.acscan.org!
Help spread the HOPE by recruiting ACS CAN members. It isn't too late –
if your event is over, try recruiting at wrap-up parties!
If your event has achieved ACS CAN CLUB status, take the time to
CELEBRATE that success!
acscan.org
We
HOPE to know more survivors.
July
Sunday
2014
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August
Summer Congressional Recess
Even though your Relay For Life event might be over for this year, getting
involved in advocacy campaigns is a great way to FIGHT BACK against
cancer. To find out the latest ways ACS CAN is making cancer a top
national priority and how you can get involved, visit www.acscan.org/relay.
Spend this month working with your staff partners to deliver messages,
petitions, and personal stories to district congressional offices. Be sure to
develop pictures from your Quality of Life activities you did at your event
and deliver them to your member of congress with the petitions attached.
Show your elected officials you want them to make this issue a priority!
Work with your ACS CAN volunteer leaders and your staff partner to plan
ways to promote Lights of HOPE with your Relay For Life event participants.
Lights of HOPE is an event in September during Leadership Summit and
Lobby Day where we light luminary bags around the Capitol Reflecting
pool. Relay participants can honor or remember their loved ones while
sending a message to Congress to make cancer a priority!
acscan.org
Cancer research funding means more
HOPE for survival.
2014
August
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September
ACS CAN Membership Recruitment Month
Join ACS CAN by visiting www.acscan.org/relay. Tell your friends and family
to log on to learn about the latest ACS CAN and Relay For Life campaigns
and join the movement to make cancer a top national priority!
As Relay For Life fall trainings and workshops are being planned, work
with your staff partners to include ACS CAN recruitment and planning.
Congress will be in the process of deciding how much they spend on cancer
research. Make sure your representatives and senators know that you
want them to increase funding for cancer research so we can end cancer
as we know it.
acscan.org
Spreading the
HOPE one step at a time.
2014
September
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October
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Visit www.acscan.org/makingstrides.
This Web page will have information that explains how you can take action
to urge Congress to increase funding for research. Increasing funding for
research will improve screening, treatment and patient care for breast
cancer.
Take part in Breast Cancer Awareness Month by sending a letter or making
a phone call to your elected leaders. Urge them to support the National
Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). Currently,
there is only funding for fewer than one in five eligible women to receive
lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings.
Ask Congress to use the Power of the Purse to increase funding for cancer
research. Find out how by visiting acscan.org/makingstrides.
acscan.org
HOPE has no age limit.
2014
October
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November
The Great American Smokeout
Get active in a campaign to prevent smoking. To find out how ACS CAN
is fighting tobacco in your area, visit www.acscan.org and click the link for
state advocacy campaigns.
Participate in a media event for the Great American Smokeout. Contact
your local staff partner to find out if your community is hosting a media
event to bring attention to important smoking-related issues.
Let fellow Relay For Life participants know everything ACS CAN is doing
to protect people from secondhand smoke with smoke-free laws. Visit
www.acscan.org for more information.
Find out how your state measures up on tobacco control and prevention
issues by visiting acscan.org/smokefree.
acscan.org
HOPE lives on in every survivor.
2014
November
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December
Holiday Season & Celebrate Success
Host a holiday party with your elected officials to educate them on
important issues facing the cancer community. Work with your ACS CAN
staff partner to find out if you can help organize this type of event.
With the end of the year, it’s time to celebrate our victories and prepare for
the next year of success. Visit your local elected officials’ offices and give
them holiday cards, thanking them for their support, as well as providing
a “wish list” of cancer priorities that you want them to accomplish in the
new year.
Participate in opportunities to highlight the advocacy and Relay For Life
successes of the past year. Work with your ACS CAN staff partner to work
on a strategy to highlight the great work your Relay has done! If you don't
plan to be the Advocacy chair again next year, work with your staff partner
to recruit someone else to serve in that role.
acscan.org
We share the
HOPE for new cancer treatments.
2014
December
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Notes
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Notes
888-NOW-I-CAN
www.acscan.org/relay