American Cancer Society

Professional services

A nationwide nonprofit organization working to prevent cancer, improve patient outcomes, fund research, and reduce disparities in cancer care.

Last updated August 26, 2026

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Overview

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a United States-based nonprofit organization focused on reducing the human and social burden of cancer. Its work combines public education, patient and caregiver services, scientific research funding, advocacy, prevention guidance, fundraising, and publication of medical information. Unlike a commercial healthcare brand, ACS operates as a charitable institution: it raises money from individual donors, corporate partners, community events, charitable shops, and other fundraising activities, then directs those resources toward cancer programs. The organization began in New York City on May 22, 1913, as the American Society for the Control of Cancer. At a time when cancer was often discussed only in private and surrounded by fear and stigma, the founders made public education a central part of the organization’s mission. Early activities included information campaigns for physicians, nurses, patients, and families, articles in general and professional publications, a monthly bulletin, and recruitment of medical volunteers. In 1944, the organization adopted its current name, the American Cancer Society. ACS has used mass communication and community mobilization throughout its history. Its early educational work included the 1921 silent film The Reward of Courage, which encouraged medical checkups and attention to early symptoms. In the 1930s, volunteer organizing expanded substantially, including the Women’s Field Army. The organization also developed a recognizable sword emblem in 1928, intended to express both the scientific and medical dimensions of cancer control and the movement’s campaign-oriented character. Its modern activities span the cancer continuum. ACS funds biomedical and clinical research, supports evidence-based prevention and screening information, provides navigation and practical assistance for patients and caregivers, operates a national cancer information service, and advocates for policies related to prevention, access, treatment, research, and tobacco control. It publishes Cancer, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, and Cancer Cytopathology. The society has also supported researchers who later became Nobel laureates, although its research portfolio and institutional contribution should not be confused with sole attribution for individual discoveries. Community fundraising is a major part of the brand’s public presence. Relay For Life, established in 1985 by Gordon Klatt, became its signature fundraising movement and expanded internationally. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer uses noncompetitive walks to support breast-cancer awareness, community, and fundraising. The Great American Smokeout promotes quitting tobacco and broader tobacco-control goals. In 2020, ACS added Gamers Vs Cancer, a charity livestream initiative that connected cancer fundraising with online gaming communities. ACS also publishes public guidance on diet, physical activity, screening, tobacco, and cancer risk. Its dietary recommendations emphasize plant foods, whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and other healthier patterns while advising people to limit red and processed meat, sugary drinks, highly processed foods, and refined grains. The organization’s financial allocation, governance, executive compensation, and chapter-level operations have periodically attracted scrutiny, but it remains an active national cancer nonprofit with a large volunteer, donor, research, advocacy, and patient-support infrastructure.

History

The American Cancer Society traces its origin to May 22, 1913, when ten physicians and five businesspeople founded the American Society for the Control of Cancer in New York City. Cancer was then heavily stigmatized and was often treated as a subject that should not be discussed openly. The founders therefore treated communication as a prerequisite for progress. The organization sought to inform clinicians and the public about cancer symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and the importance of seeking medical attention. During its early decades, the society experimented with multiple communication channels. It distributed educational material, published articles, recruited physicians, and issued a monthly bulletin known as Campaign Notes. In 1921, it commissioned the silent film The Reward of Courage, an early attempt to use popular entertainment to encourage checkups and prompt medical consultation. In 1928, it adopted a sword emblem designed by George E. Durant. The emblem’s snakes were associated with medicine and science, while the sword conveyed the movement’s campaign against cancer. Volunteer organization became increasingly important in the 1930s. Marjorie Illig, an ASCC field representative, proposed a broad volunteer network in 1936, helping inspire the Women’s Field Army and related mobilization. Participation in cancer-control work expanded markedly during that period. In 1944, the organization changed its name to the American Cancer Society, a title that better reflected its national public-health role. ACS subsequently developed activities in research, prevention, tobacco control, patient services, and advocacy. Its public-health work contributed to awareness of smoking-related health risks and included participation in campaigns against tobacco use and secondhand smoke. The Great American Smokeout became a recurring national campaign encouraging smokers to stop or make a quit attempt. The society also promoted screening and risk-reduction practices and published guidance on diet and physical activity. Research funding became a central institutional function. ACS grants supported scientists working across cancer biology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The organization has stated that its funding helped support researchers who later received Nobel Prizes, while its broader contribution has included fellowships, grants, public education, and advocacy for cancer research investment. Its publishing activities include Cancer, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, and Cancer Cytopathology. The society’s fundraising model expanded through community events and donor programs. Relay For Life began in 1985 after physician Gordon Klatt organized an endurance fundraising event. It developed into a major community-based movement and later spread beyond the United States. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer created another large-scale platform for breast-cancer fundraising and community support. ACS also operates charitable resale activities and, in 2020, introduced Gamers Vs Cancer to engage digital communities through livestreamed fundraising. Institutional restructuring has shaped the recent organization. Reported financial results for 2012 preceded a 2013 national consolidation that centralized operations, merged regional affiliates into the parent organization, and introduced significant staffing changes. In 2023, ACS sold its former Atlanta headquarters as it adopted a more distributed and hybrid working model. Karen E. Knudsen led the organization as chief executive from 2021 until 2024 and was the first woman to serve in that position. After her departure, ACS was described as operating under an interim executive team. The organization remains active nationally through research, patient support, information services, advocacy, fundraising, and prevention programs.

2023
Former Atlanta headquarters sold
[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
The sale supports a more distributed and hybrid operating model.
2021
Karen E. Knudsen becomes chief executive
[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
Knudsen becomes the first woman to lead ACS as chief executive officer.
2020
Gamers Vs Cancer launches
[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
ACS begins a charity livestream initiative involving gaming creators and online communities.
2013
National restructuring
[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
ACS centralizes operations and consolidates regional affiliates following reported financial pressure.
1985
Relay For Life begins
[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
Gordon Klatt establishes the fundraising event that develops into ACS’s signature relay movement.
1944
Current name adopted
[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
The American Society for the Control of Cancer becomes the American Cancer Society.
1936
Volunteer mobilization expands
[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
A proposal by field representative Marjorie Illig helps establish a wider volunteer network associated with the Women’s Field Army.
1928
Sword emblem adopted
[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
The organization adopts a sword symbol combining medical imagery with a campaign-oriented message.
1921
The Reward of Courage promotes early medical attention
[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
ACS commissions an educational silent melodrama encouraging checkups and consultation at the first sign of illness.
1913
American Society for the Control of Cancer is founded
[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
Ten physicians and five businesspeople establish the organization in New York City on May 22.

Products and positioning

A large, science-oriented cancer nonprofit combining research, patient support, public education, fundraising, and policy advocacy. Its public positioning emphasizes practical help for people affected by cancer and long-term progress toward preventing and eliminating the disease.

Fundraising event · 1985
Relay For Life
A community-based fundraising and awareness movement founded in 1985 by Gordon Klatt. Participants typically organize relay-style events to honor people affected by cancer, remember those who died, and raise money for research, patient support, education, and advocacy. The format expanded from its American origins into an international movement.
Fundraising and community event
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
A series of noncompetitive walks, generally three to five miles, centered on breast-cancer awareness, fundraising, survivorship, caregiver support, and community participation. The program gives survivors, patients, families, and supporters a visible public platform while generating funds for ACS services and research.
Public-health campaign
Great American Smokeout
An annual tobacco-cessation campaign encouraging smokers to quit or make a serious quit attempt. It forms part of ACS’s broader tobacco-control work, which includes public education about smoking, secondhand smoke, prevention, and policy measures intended to reduce tobacco-related disease.
Information and support service
National Cancer Information Center
A cancer information and support service providing guidance to patients, caregivers, families, and members of the public. The service helps people find understandable information about cancer types, treatment, side effects, prevention, screening, and practical support.
Scientific publishing
Cancer journals
ACS publishes Cancer, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, and Cancer Cytopathology. These journals extend the organization’s professional and scientific role by distributing research, clinical reviews, cancer-control information, and material relevant to oncology and pathology audiences.

Controversies

2010
Executive compensation scrutiny
CharityWatch and other commentators drew attention to compensation paid to then-chief executive John R. Seffrin, including a retention-related benefit reported in the 2009–2010 fiscal year.
Source
1995
Arizona chapter overhead controversy
Two economists criticized the Arizona chapter’s reported spending and alleged that an unusually high share of donations went to salaries and overhead, while also alleging that patient-service figures were overstated. ACS disputed the criticism and alleged that the report’s authors were connected to a tobacco-funded group.
Source

2020Gamers Vs Cancer
United States · Online
A series of charity gaming livestreams designed to connect ACS fundraising with professional streamers and gaming communities.
Outcome. Expanded the organization’s digital fundraising and audience-engagement approach.
Source
1985Relay For Life
United States · International
A relay-style community fundraising program supporting cancer research, patient services, education, and advocacy.
Outcome. It became ACS’s signature fundraising movement and expanded internationally.
Source
1972Secondhand-smoke awareness button
United States
A Philadelphia-area initiative promoted the message that an individual’s smoking could harm other people, helping frame secondhand smoke as a public-health issue.
Outcome. The initiative is described as an early public campaign against exposure to secondary smoke.
Source
1921The Reward of Courage
United States
A silent educational film commissioned to reduce fear and encourage regular medical checkups and prompt consultation for symptoms.
Outcome. An early example of ACS using mass media for cancer education.
Source

Brand decisions

2023
Adopt a more distributed workplace modelStrategy
Background
The organization reassessed its real-estate and working arrangements after the shift toward hybrid work.
Action taken
ACS sold its former Atlanta headquarters while retaining an Atlanta presence through distributed operations.
Aftermath
National staff operations became more flexible, with regional offices and remote teams playing a larger role.
Source
2020
Enter livestream-based fundraisingStrategy
Background
Digital communities and livestream entertainment offered a way to reach younger and online-oriented donor audiences.
Action taken
ACS launched Gamers Vs Cancer, using charity streams and gaming creators to support fundraising.
Aftermath
The initiative broadened ACS’s fundraising channels beyond conventional walks, relays, and direct donations.
Source
2013
Centralize and consolidate national operationsStrategy
Background
Reported 2012 revenue and expense figures contributed to pressure for a more efficient operating structure.
Action taken
ACS consolidated regional affiliates into the parent organization, centralized operations, and required employees to reapply for jobs.
Aftermath
The reorganization reduced the prominence of the previous regional structure and reshaped staffing and administration.
Source

Recent events

2024
Karen E. Knudsen steps down as chief executive[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
Leadership change
Knudsen left the chief executive role; the organization was subsequently described as being led by an interim executive team.
2024
American Cancer Society receives a four-star Charity Navigator rating[3]Charity Navigator: American Cancer Societycharitynavigator.org
Other
Charity Navigator reported an overall score of 99 out of 100, including strong ratings for accountability, finance, leadership, adaptability, culture, and community.
2023
ACS sells former Atlanta headquarters[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
Other
The society sold its Atlanta headquarters at 250 Williams Street NW as it moved toward a more flexible hybrid operating model while retaining an Atlanta presence.
2021
Karen E. Knudsen becomes the first woman to lead ACS as chief executive[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
Leadership change
Karen E. Knudsen was appointed chief executive officer, becoming the first woman to hold the organization’s top executive role.
2020
American Cancer Society launches Gamers Vs Cancer[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
Campaign
The organization introduced charity livestreams featuring professional and online gaming personalities to reach new donors and support cancer programs.
2013
American Cancer Society adopts nationwide consolidation and cost controls[1]American Cancer Societyen.wikipedia.org
Other
Following reported financial pressure in 2012, ACS consolidated regional operations into a more centralized structure and required employees to reapply for positions.

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