Paula Green, Vice President of the American Cancer Society of Greater Philadelphia, discusses their work in advocacy, research, prevention and direct services to men, women and children.  We reviewed their online and phone counseling, where a trained peer volunteer is available 24/7 to speak with patients, especially crucial after a diagnosis.  ACS offers peer support, information and referrals for most cancers.  They also offer online reference material and information about signs and symptoms, screening and diagnosis, making treatment decisions and long-term concerns for the family and caregivers.  

We discussed other direct patient services, including Road to recovery which provides transportation for patients to and from doctor visits and treatment, Hope Lodges, offering housing to patients traveling for care within the area, screening and peer groups.  

She discussed their important role in funding new research, their seed money has led to countless Nobel Prize winners and breakthrough discoveries.   In an effort to drive diversity in the lab and promote health equity, we talked about the ACS Voices of Black Women, a new investigatory project which will examine health care disparity and access to care, and look for causes for their higher mortality rates.  100,000 women are being recruited and she asks Black women and those identifying as women to participate in the on-going research.   She asks interested listeners to go to Voices.Cancer.org for more information. 

Finally, we talked about the many fundraising opportunities they offer, including the annual breast cancer awareness Making Strides Walk, with three planned in October; October 13 in Ocean City, October 20 at Cooper River Parke for the greater Philadelphia area, and October 27 in Delaware.  Learn more and find the walk closest to you across the country at makingstrideswalk.org.   She also spoke of the annual Coaches and CEOS against Cancer campaigns and the Relay for Life bike ride, all found at CANCER.org.