I finally pulled the trigger on something I’ve been thinking about and working toward for more than a year.
I resigned my volunteer leadership role on the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network National Ambassador Team, effective on September 30, 2024.
Let me be clear: I love ACS CAN. I’ve spent 22 years of my life with the organization as either a staff member or volunteer. I’ve been part of incredible advocacy wins that will benefit cancer patients, survivors and their families for decades to come.
Passage of the Affordable Care Act, which made healthcare available to millions of Americans who were not part of the system.
Closure of a loophole in Medicare that resulted in surprise bills for patients when polyps were found during their colonoscopies.
Legislation that makes clinical trials available to underrepresented people.
So much good work, and so much more that will continue to be done.
Without me.
In another life I might experience FOMO, and maybe that will happen. For now, I am adjusting priorities.
Firstly, I need to be more available to support the lovely Sarah. Her mom has been in a nursing home for more than a year and a half. She has dementia. Being a caregiver takes its toll. Even caregivers sometimes need caregivers, and certainly good support.
Secondly, my advocacy priorities have shifted. If you’ve been paying attention on the socials, this won’t be a surprise. I’m focusing on colorectal cancer and men’s mental health while facing cancer.
I’m committed to an organization called Fight Colorectal Cancer on several fronts: as an advocacy volunteer, a Climb for a Cure participant and a member of the Research Advocacy and Training Support team.
Readers of this blog know that some people I love are in the midst of fighting late-stage colorectal cancer, including my best friend, Ryan.
I recently was asked what my personal goals are for being a member of the RATS team. I can honestly say I have never been asked that question by an advocacy organization before, but it matters.
These are my goals, for the RATS team and as a Fight CRC volunteer:
- Better understand the science behind colorectal cancer.
- Better understand the science involved in the research to treat and find cures for colorectal cancer.
- Do everything in my power to help the people I love being treated for CRC get to No Evidence of Disease status.
That last one is my driving why.
I want Ryan and Trevor, JJ, Jason, Sarah, Ruth, Zach, and everyone I know in the thick of the fight, to grow old free of fucking cancer.
Man Up to Cancer is the other organization to which I’m committed. MUTC encourages men to avoid isolation and find connection during their cancer experiences.
I’ve written a bunch about my MUTC experiences.
We’ve built a community of nearly 3,000 men (so far), and serve them with a chemotherapy backpack program, local chapters and virtual meetups, and an annual retreat, which is coming up the first weekend in September.
I’m on the board of directors and the leadership team, helping build a one-of-kind pan-cancer organization to foster social connection, better mental health, improved quality of life and improved clinical outcomes.
Last but not least, Ryan and I have been talking about launching some projects together. More on that when they happen.
Making the decision to leave ACS CAN was difficult, which is why it took me longer than a year to write and then send my resignation letter.
Many of the volunteers I’ve advocated alongside for all these years are like family.
Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN, is someone I admire greatly. The entire team at ACS CAN is incredible. My state staff partners, Nikki and Maddie, are truly the best I’ve ever worked with.
I’d list all the names but I’d leave someone out. I hope it suffices that I love my entire ACS CAN family.
As difficult as it has been to start closing the door, some windows have come open. Once I put it out there that I am leaving, some opportunities I wasn’t expecting have presented themselves in the colorectal cancer space.
More on all that in a future post.
I’ll still be part of the fight against cancer, just in some specialized areas.
There is plenty of work to be done, wherever I am.
Before I depart from ACS CAN, I do have one more event on the horizon.
My last Lights of Hope fundraiser will be held on Thursday, September 19, at ORAU. We have a lovely pond on our main campus in Oak Ridge that will make for a beautiful backdrop for my light display.
One last hurrah.
And never ending hope.
No Comments