To pursue its mission of preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering, the American Cancer Society has invested more than $5 billion in cancer research since 1946. Currently, ACS has 96 funded research grants totaling $52,367,700 in California.

“The vast majority of that money comes from everyday people,” says Nikki B, ACS Hope Gala volunteer chair and real estate agent with Realty ONE Group Complete. “These are you and your neighbors raising whatever is possible and that fuels our work.” 

Here in Sacramento, volunteers are making a significant impact. “Through COVID, many people delayed their screenings and as a result I think there is going to be an uptick in diagnoses. Many of those will rely on ACS,” says Lynsay Allen, ACS Hope Gala volunteer chair and vice president and commercial relationship manager at Tri Counties Bank.

“One of the ways volunteers engage the Sacramento region is with the annual ACS Hope Gala and annual ACS Golf Classic,” says Julie Shutler, ACS Golf Classic volunteer chair and annual fund director for Sacramento State Athletics. These events are key contributors to the local mission and have raised more than $7 million in the past 10 years. To sponsor, donate or volunteer at these events, visit the websites http://acsgolf.org/sacramento and http://SacramentoHopeGala.org.

Another powerful funding engine is the network of ACS Discovery Shops throughout California and other western states. An ACS staff member manages operations, but the core work is done by volunteers. One local Discovery Shop located in Roseville surpassed $1 million in sales in 2021 — the first among all stores to reach that milestone. 

“We’ve seen tremendous gains in fighting cancer in the past decade and our goal is to accelerate those gains through unique, innovative research programs,” says Pam Gunning, ACS senior development manager. “We’re grateful to people like Lynsay, Nikki and Julie and the Greater Sacramento region for engaging in this battle against a disease that affects all of us.”

For cancer information, to donate or become a volunteer, call 800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.