American Cancer Society - Your Opinion

JeninMichigan

Last year our company adopted the "Relay for Life" as a wellness initiative. This year they have gone over the top with the sponsorship and fundraising. They want me on the Relay for Life committee ... probably as the token cancer survivor. The deeper I get with ACS the more unsure I am about them. I wanted us to support Metavivor or Breast Cancer Research Foundation but the company says that is too focused. In 2014, we lost four people to cancer (3 lung, 1 breast) and so we need something that represents everyone. The Relay for LIfe allows the company to get our name out there as a good citizen. So far, I have not agreed to join the committee.

Your thoughts?

Jen

Kandy

Can I ask what you mean by that you are unsure about ACS? I do understand your company's position of representing everyone. Not sure I understand why you don't want to do it. Wishing you nothing but the best.

DivineMrsM

I don't know much about ACS but I see they could score better with Charity Navigator.


I can understand the company wanting an all inclusive chairty to support. You have to decide if you want to be a team player and go with the flow or if you want make more of a statement by declining to be on the committee. There's no right or wrong. They are just choices. Sometimes it's better to work within the structure and help steer it in the right direction, other times you need to refuse to join because it goes against your personal principles.

sueopp

Jen, can only offer my personal experience. I got in touch with the ACS when I was first diagnosed 16 years agobecause I didn't know where to go. Actually they were terrific. I called the hotline and was put in touch with a woman living with my kind and stage of breast cancer and she talked with (hysterical) me frequently by phone. The ACS also steered me to accredited centers near me to check out radiation services, and also offered support and resources, including written materials and a nurse to talk to when I had medical questions.

I participated in Relay for Life for many years. The circumstances were special however. My events were located not here in Baltimore but in the little town where my sister and her husband (20 year cancer survivor) live. The whole doggone town participated (or so it seemed) and it had a beautiful feel - hundreds of people came together once a year to come up with money for cancer support. I had the impression that the whole thing was locally controlled.

I think maybe as far as Relay is concerned, the community that puts it together may determine whether it is worth doing (?). I'm sure that you will make a good decision for you. Fondly, SUE

scuttlers

ACS has been wonderfully supportive. When I went out of town for surgery, they arranged a suite for my husband, I, AND our cat to stay for 12 days at no charge to us. It was a HUGE relief!

JeninMichigan

I see that they score a C- on their operations and it cost them $41 for every $100 they raise. Further their CEO brings home a hefty $832,000. However as an overall cancer charity, I know the do have programs that are helpful for patients and families. I have such a sour feeling toward Komen that I shy away from non research centered charities. But your responses so far have reminded me that patients still need other support services and that is a good thing. Last year I actually gave a speech at the Luminera ceremony. THis year I don't feel feel the same. Maybe it is because our participation is not as genuine It is good to see some of you have benefitted.

Jen

CarlaK

I got involved in Relay because the woman who really helped me get through my initial treatment was very into it and it meant a lot to her, so I wanted to give back. It does bother me that ACS has too much overhead, but Relay can be very emotional, empowering and healing for patients and families. The symbolism of walking for 24 hours because a cancer patient never gets a break from cancer-that very much describes the Stage 4 life. I also like fundraising for all cancers because some (like lung cancer) really do get ignored compared to breast cancer.

Lauriesh

They helped me when I did a her2 vaccine trial in Seattle. They paid for my airfare and hotel for 2 out of my 4 trips that I had to take.

DivineMrsM

Is it possible to bring the information you have about ACS to the table and explain to those who are asking you to join a committee that these are the reasons you hesitate to be a part of it? It could be an effective way of educating others on how we should all be aware of how an organization spends its funding. Many people just want to throw money at something hoping it does some good, and they want to feel good about themselves because they donated. In this day and age, with information so easily available on line about organizations, people should insist upon knowing the finer details of where their donations are actually going and use the knowledge to decide if they want to be a part of it.

In a letter to the editor of my local newspaper last October, I addressed this issue by writing: "consumers buying pink items to show support should know how much money from their purchase is being donated and verify that the organization receiving the money distributes it in ways truly benefiting those with breast cancer. Anything less has little meaning."

exbrnxgrl

I understand you hesitancy, especially in light of their high overhead. My personal experience with them is limited but I have known others who have received much needed assistance with the types of things previous posters have mentioned. Those things meant more comfort and help in the moment than research would have. My school district allowed the use of school grounds for Relay for many years, until it became so big that neighboring school districts with bigger sites jumped in.

I like that they focus on all cancers. Clearly, bc is what effects me, but for an event like this, I feel acknowledging all cancers really brings a community together. In the end, you must be true to yourself and make the decision that's right for you