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Joy Stafford, DHA
Director, Regional Corporate Relations
Southeast Region
615-294-2696
[email protected]        

PO Box 332047Nashville, TN 37203
cancer.org

WHAT DOES THE MONEY DO?
OUR PROGRAM OF WORK

Your donations save more lives than ever before by empowering activists, conducting breakthrough research, providing patient services and access to care, and so much more.

Despite significant progress, difficult challenges remain, and time is not on our side.

Every Cancer.

Every Life.

Every Step of the Way.

Ensuring no one
has to face a cancer journey alone.

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Advocacy

By activating grassroots volunteers, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network℠ (ACS CAN) fights cancer in city halls, state houses, and Congress to advance policy change. We are making cancer a priority in Kentucky and nationwide through our advocacy efforts:

  • ACS CAN impacted 25.6 million lives through incredible advocacy work to improve equitable access to care, reduce and prevent tobacco use, and accelerate access to innovation.
  • Generated more than 91,000 messages and collected more than 51,000 petition signatures calling on Congress to protect and increase funding for cancer research and prevention.
  • Hosted 51 Cancer Action Days with over 2,600 volunteer attendees.

Research

We have played a role in most of the cancer research breakthroughs in recent history.

As the largest nonprofit funder of cancer research in the US outside of the federal government, we've invested more than $3.6 billion in cancer research since 1991.

We continue to build progress in Kentucky and beyond:

  • $7.7 million in active research grants at Kentucky institutions including University of Kentucky and University of Louisville

Patient Support

The American Cancer Society works to ensure no one has to feel alone at any point on their cancer journey, from prevention to detection and diagnosis, through treatment and survivorship, and, for some, the end of life.

We ensure people in Kentucky impacted by cancer and their families have the support, information, and resources they need to reduce the burdens that come with a cancer diagnosis.

American Cancer Society
touched 179,050 lives in Kentucky in 2025 by:
  • Serving 137,780 through health system partnerships.
  • Providing 18,780 rides to treatment.
  • Providing 21,050 nights of lodging.
  • Assisting 1,440 people through our 24/7 helpline.

KENTUCKY CANCER BURDEN

There will be an estimated 31,440 new cancer cases in Kentucky in 2026, and 10,510 deaths.

Globally, 81% of our financial resources go directly toward advancing our mission to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

The American Cancer Society is proud to hold top ratings from Charity Navigator, the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, and Candid. High ratings from these widely recognized and respected charity rating and watchdog groups demonstrate our continuing commitment to accountability, transparency, and ethical practices.

You can give with confidence, knowing that we have been independently evaluated for effectively stewarding donations.