American Cancer Society/Central & Greater Ventura County

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

Description:
Our Vision 2015 Goals
*Reduce cancer incidence by 25%
*Reduce cancer mortality by 50%
*Improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their families

Our Results (from 2004/2005fiscal year)
*19% drop in cancer deaths since 1988
*12% drop in cancer incidence since 1988
*49% decline in childhood cancer mortality (1975–2004)
*More than 64,000 cancer patients in California received services from the American Cancer Society
*580,366 adults received education to help themselves and their families prevent and detect cancer
*More than 203,000 rides to and from cancer treatment given to more than 7,000 patients
*More than 2,200 breast cancer patients received volunteer support during treatment and recovery

History:
The American Cancer Society was founded in 1913 as the American Society for the Control of Cancer (ASCC) by 15 prominent physicians and business leaders in New York City. It was one of the most remarkable moments in the history of public health.

In 1945, the ASCC was reorganized as the American Cancer Society. It was the beginning of a new era for the organization and, in many ways, for the country as a whole. In 1946, Mary Lasker and her colleagues met this challenge by raising more than $4 million for the Society - $1 million of which was used to establish the Society's research program. With the help of dedicated volunteers like Lasker and Elmer Bobst, the Society's research program quickly began to bear fruit.

In 1947, the American Cancer Society also began its public education campaign about the signs and symptoms of cancer. They were termed "Cancer's Danger Signals."

Over the years, scientists supported by the American Cancer Society have established the link between cancer and smoking; demonstrated the effectiveness of the Pap smear; developed cancer fighting drugs and biological response modifiers such as interferon; dramatically increased the cure rate for childhood leukemia; proved the safety and effectiveness of mammography; and much, much more. All told, the Society has committed about $3 billion to research, funding 40 Nobel Prize winners - often early in their careers before they had received recognition and monetary support for their work (for a listing of accomplishments, refer to the American Cancer Society Accomplishments 1946 - 2003).

Contact person: Lorissa Morales, Administrative Assistant, (phone), (email)

Main office number: 1-800-ACS-2345
Office fax number: (805) 644-4345

Address:

2186 Knoll Dr. Ste A Ventura, CA 93003 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.cancer.org

Directions:

We are located on Knoll Dr. the cross street is Market.

Last updated on January 5, 2010