- RESEARCH: The donations given help fund the research that we know will one day find a cure. In 2003, more than $25 million was
allocated to hospitals and learning institutions in the Pennsylvania Division through more than 50 research grants. All of these
focused on a common set of goals – to eliminate cancer, save lives, and diminish suffering from cancer.
- PATIENT SUPPORT & SERVICES: Your dollars also help fund the vital local services and support for cancer patients, survivors, and
their families. These services include:
- Man to Man - Meetings for men with prostate cancer that provide education and the opportunity to network with others
who have the same diagnosis. Support for partners is also available. Volunteers are needed as group facilitators and/or to
be trained for one-to-one counseling.
- Reach to Recovery - A program in which trained volunteers who are breast cancer survivors offer practical tips on self-
care and a listening ear to anyone with breast cancer at diagnosis, during treatment, and beyond.
- Road to Recovery - Provides local transportation for patients to cancer treatments and doctors’ appointments.
- Relieving Cancer Pain
- I Can Cope - A series of educational classes for people who are facing cancer including patients, families and friends.
Health care professionals provide information, encouragement, and practical advice about living with cancer. All classes
are held in a supportive and caring environment and are co-sponsored by a local hospital or health care institution.
- Look Good…Feel Better - A free workshop facilitated by trained cosmetologists who teach women with cancer how to
understand and care for changes in skin and hair that may occur during treatment. It is a partnership of the American
Cancer Society, the National Cosmetology Association and the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association.
- Camp Can-Do - A week-long camping program held every August at Gretna Glen in Mt Gretna, which gives children with
cancer a break from treatments and hospitals, while providing a place for these young survivors to act like children. They
are treated to the typical camping activities like hiking, arts and crafts, rocketry, camp sing-alongs, swimming, canoeing,
archery, games of all sorts, and even a themed dance.
- Camp Can-Do II - A week-long camp for siblings of child cancer patients held every year in June in Gretna Glen.
- Cancer Survivors Network - including CanSurmount, a one-to-one support program for cancer patients who are newly
diagnosed or are in active treatment. Whenever possible, patients are matched by diagnosis, age, and/or gender with a
trained volunteer who is at least one year post-treatment.
- Cancer Survivors Conferences
- Hope Lodge
- Nutritional Well Being
- Taking Charge of Money Matters
(Some of the above programs and services may not be available in all regions of Pennsylvania because volunteers are needed to get them
started! To become involved in any of these activities or to find out more about volunteer opportunities in the Pennsylvania Division,
contact the American Cancer Society, Lebanon Unit office at (717) 273-4582 or call 800-ACS-2345.)
- EDUCATION & PUBLIC AWARENESS: In order to reduce cancer incidence by 25% in the year 2015, the American Cancer Society
knows that educating the public about cancer is key. Some of the services in the Pennsylvania Division include:
- Tell A Friend
- Let’s Talk About It
- Great American Smoke-out
- Comprehensive School Health Education
- Advocacy/Government Issues
- Youth Tobacco Leadership Institute
- Targeted Awareness Campaigns for Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, and School Health Ambassadors and
Allies.
- LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY: Many of the endeavors of the American Cancer Society have required additional support in legislative
areas. The American Cancer Society recognized this need and, in 1999, formally added advocacy to its mission statement.
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