NGO Post

My NGO research topic was the American Cancer Society (ACS), which was once the American Society for the Control of Cancer (ASCC). The ASCC was founded in 1913 by ten physicians and five laypeople in New York City. These fifteen people wanted to make a change in cancer diagnosis. Back when it was first founded, a cancer diagnosis for an individual was a near-certain death experience. In 1945, its name changed to its current name, seen throughout the world today. While the logo itself has changed throughout the years, the direction the society aimed to head never did. They've always strived to "improve the lives of people with cancer and their families." In 1995, the society launched its "Global Relay For Life" movement against cancer, which reached audiences around the world. It's also focused on funding research, providing support for patients, and promoting early screenings, all while highlighting cancer as a global issue. To execute their goal, employees put extensive time into scientific research, run public campaigns, improve screening accuracy, and provide affordable treatment for all patients. Though the society has also created partnerships with organizations such as the Union for International Cancer Control to broaden its global research. This has allowed them to expand their international footprint through these partnerships without involving direct governmental control. While the NGO has spread its information throughout the world, it's primarily based in the United States. Most ACS building members consist of volunteers, healthcare workers, donors, researchers, and professionals. All of which provide essential support for patients so they can feel informed and comforted about their diagnosis. Atlanta, Georgia, houses the American Cancer Society's headquarters and over 350 offices. The NGO has been very vital in today's society, helping decline cancer mortality rates within the United States. They do this by emphasizing early screening tests and raising public awareness. While it's not easy to see how the organization impacts on a global scale, its partnerships have helped it reach international levels beyond the US. The majority of funding brought into the society has come from corporate partnerships, grants, Relay For Life events, and individual donors. In the end, the American Cancer Society shows that an NGO doesn't need to have a facility located in other countries for it to have a worldwide impact.

I also have a personal family connection to the American Cancer Society. My mom, unfortunately, has had cancer 3 times throughout her life. In 2025, her second treatment was done in Manhattan, New York. The New York Proton Center, where she got her treatment, had offered her to stay at Hope Lodge, New York, New York. The ACS built hope lodges across the US to provide a 'home away from home' lifestyle for individuals receiving cancer treatment. This way, she didn't have to commute an hour+ every weekday from NJ to NY and back. During her 6-week treatment from February to March, she was able to stay in a single room provided by the American Cancer Society and take Uber to and from the NY Proton Center. The American Cancer Society has helped my family tremendously by providing my mom a safe place to stay during her 6 weeks of treatment in New York City.