American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) shared on LinkedIn:
“Our first full day of Cancer Lobby Day was a success! We started off the program with our fantastic volunteer emcees:
Corey Seaman, ACS CAN Oklahoma State Lead Ambassador (SLA), and Bonita Sherman, with ACS CAN Virginia Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT) Lead!
John Manna, ACS CAN Board Chair, Terri McClements, American Cancer Society Board Chair, and Shane Jacobson, CEO of ACS and ACS CAN, welcomed advocates and highlighted their role as leaders.
Lisa A. Lacasse, ACS CAN President, emphasized advocates’ impact in the fight against cancer over the past two decades as we celebrate our 25th anniversary.
Cancer advocates then attended breakout sessions where they honed their skills in storytelling, volunteer base building and more, and learned about emerging issues in the cancer space.
During lunch, Jeff Martin, ACS CAN Vice President of Grassroots Advocacy, announced a new leadership program for ACT Leads:
The Coleman-Montle Ambassador Constituent Team Leadership Catalyst. Vince Marchetta, ACS CAN Board member and Ohio SLA, moderated a panel about making Clinical Trials more accessible with Hope Krebill, Assistant Director of Community Outreach and Engagement at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, and Rev. Richard Lockette, ACS CAN Kentucky ACT Lead.
After lunch, we moved into Hill meeting prep where advocates learned about our legislative asks including increasing funding for Cancer Research, as well as tips and tricks for their upcoming lawmaker meetings from members of ACS CAN’s Federal Advocacy Team:
Julie Nickson, Vice President; Elizabeth Darnall, Director; and Nishith P., Director; along with Christopher Kush, CEO of Soapbox Consulting.
Advocates also had the chance to see a Hill meeting roleplay session with Lexy Mealing, ACS CAN New York SLA, Vince Marchetta, and Erika Ninoyu, a Director on ACS CAN’s Federal Advocacy Team.
With their skills brushed up, advocates moved to state meeting prep breakouts where they had the opportunity to practice our legislative asks with their teams.
In the evening, the CANOpener brought together volunteers to celebrate their fundraising work for Lights Of Hope to help continue our mission to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
Check back tomorrow for more updates!”
You can also read:
ACS CAN Expands Cancer Advocacy at Pride Events Nationwide in 2026
