American Cancer Society and Genentech Drive Greater Health Equity and Improved Outcomes for People Facing Cancer
For nearly 40 years, the American Cancer Society and Genentech, a biotechnology company and member of the Roche Group, have worked together at the intersection of advancing patient outcomes through access to high-quality care and innovation for everyone. Our partnership showcases the extensive range of our commitments- navigation, clinical trial enrollment, biomarker testing, policy solutions, and improving cancer outcomes for everyone across the continuum of care.
In 2020, Genentech, as the Founding Sponsor, catalyzed the American Cancer Society’s Get Screened initiative, which aimed to rapidly restore and improve screening rates in the wake of the pandemic. This movement focused on those communities who face historical inequities and the greatest impact of the pandemic. Not only did Get Screened activate populations and partnerships with purpose by expanding the reach of screening messages, which also drove community impact, leveraged resources and expertise which included participation on the National Consortium on Cancer Screening and Care. This charted a path on how two organizations can purposefully tackle significant challenges and pioneer ambitious solutions.
In 2023, ACS and Genentech worked to deliver measurable improvements in cancer care and built a path toward progress in cancer equity - ensuring that everyone has access to quality screening, treatment, and resources. Through our efforts, we have forged deeper connections within the community, impacted more lives than ever, and deliberately dismantled barriers to care in an unprecedented manner.
2023 Impact at a Glance:
In part through Genentech’s transformational investment, the American Cancer Society has impacted the lives of cancer patients and their families in the following, meaningful ways:
- Nearly 375,000 cancer screenings completed through community-based screening interventions primarily with FQHCs resulting in:
- More than 4,700 cancer cases diagnosed.
- Nearly 8.5%-point increase in lung cancer screenings.
- More than 501,400 nights of free lodging provided at Hope Lodge removing access issues for those traveling away from home for care.
- Over 47,200 one-way rides provided through Road to Recovery, supporting the removal of transportation related challenges.
- Launched ACS CARES in June, which included more than 3,000 new users and providing non-clinical navigation support.
Advancing Cancer Equity in 2024
In 2024, together, we aim to boldly lead progress towards cancer equity by addressing cancer injustice with measurable sustainable, and systemic solutions to deliver access to high-quality care and treatment for everyone.
While cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship innovations have come a long way, not everyone has benefited equally. Research shows that while overall cancer mortality rates in the U.S. are dropping, certain communities bear a disproportionate cancer burden. These communities often face more significant obstacles than others, and these social determinants of health are typically interrelated, out of a person's control, and are increasingly important predictors of cancer mortality in the U.S. Approximately 80% of cancer outcomes are influenced by social determinants of health such as personal, social, systemic, and societal barriers, while just 20% are dictated by tumor biology Cancer can affect anyone, but it does not affect everyone equally. This unfortunate reality is what guides our partnership vision for 2024.
This work will be anchored at a local level through patient navigation programs in communities where underserved populations continue to bear a disproportionate cancer burden. ACS' patient navigation efforts will pilot sustainable tactics such as screenings and referrals to community resources. The pilots will take place in three locations:
- Georgia
- Ohio
- Oregon
We are committed to tackling the most difficult challenges that people with cancer face and ensuring everyone can access the care they deserve. Our patient advocacy community is critical to helping us understand the underlying structures and systems that lead to health inequity, and we are proud to continue our work with the American Cancer Society to address these root causes and bring innovative cancer care to all patients.
Our partnership reflects the depth and breadth of our commitments to improving the lives of cancer patients and their families across the continuum of care. The strength of our partnership derives from aligned organizational priorities and proven success in addressing emergent needs as we work to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
Advancing equitable health outcomes through the power of patient focused relationships
The real success of this partnership lies in the ability of our two organizations to connect, collaborate and mobilize together at the community level.
Cancer Screen Week
Cancer Screen Week 2023 aimed to authentically reach, educate, and motivate people to learn why cancer screening is important and how they can take action to get screened.
Campaign Goals:
- Drive national coverage about the importance of cancer screening
- Reach and inspire diverse communities to get screened
- Amplify screening education across Genentech channels and in the field
Results & Metrics:
- 360M reached during Cancer Screen Week 2023
- 127M reached through top-tier and major lifestyle placements media channels
- 190K+ Spanish-language speakers reached via Facebook, elevating patient stories and the latest screening guidelines in their newsfeeds
- Panel discussion hosted at the 2023 Los Angeles Comic Con (LACC) to expand the reach at a major cultural moment about the intersection of cancer and comics
- CSW ambassadors -Instagram takeover with Olympic soccer player Lauren Sesselmann and posts from comedian Loni Love, actress and singer Ariana DeBose, and actress Yvette Nicole Brown.
- Field teams events in New York and North Carolina, and the Pennsylvania ecosystem sponsorship with iHeartRadio
Partnering With a Chicago Community to Address Healthcare Disparities
This neighborhood-focused collaboration with Genentech was centered in Bronzeville, a historically African-American area with an average life expectancy lower than that of the wealthier neighborhoods to the north. The Miles to the Horizon initiative featured a geotargeted social media campaign and an in-person event that brought together community leaders and local organizations to promote the benefits of cancer screening. Featuring local Bronzeville community voices, ACS also developed a documentary short about the fight against cancer for the residents of Bronzeville.
Love Letters: Driving Cancer Screening to Improve Outcomes Among Black and Latina Women
In the Spring of 2023, 40 faith-based leaders and other community leaders were brought together for a “Love Letters for Cancer Screening” Kickoff at Brooklyn Borough Hall during National Minority Health Month. With support of community leader and clergy member Dr. Cheryl Anthony and consultant educator Adrian Slaker, MSEd from Women of Faith Advocating Change, Judah International we mobilized a volunteer ambassador team with a goal to reach 2,500 potentially unscreened community members.
“Love Letters for Cancer Screening” is a cancer screening awareness program focused on Black and Latina women, created “by the community, for the community.” The campaign pairs original artwork by Black and Latina artists with personal letters, in English or Spanish, to loved ones who faced cancer.
More than 5,000 pieces of lifesaving cancer screening messages were distributed via community partners to houses of worship, healthcare facilities, and other community hubs. Each resource connects viewers, by QR code, to comprehensive screening information in both English and Spanish.
Love Letters by the numbers:
- During the pilot program in New York City
- 1.7 million broadcast TV impressions
- 7.9K cancer.org visits directed from Love Letters materials
- >25,000 participants at in-person events
- 10 YMCA events, including exercise classes
- 6 health fairs
Since its launch, Love Letters has been expanding across the country. The campaign has reached 16 states and continues to be brought to more communities where there are needs for improved screening for Black and Latina women.
The Miles to the Horizon initiative - a neighborhood-focused collaboration
This neighborhood-focused collaboration with Genentech was centered in Bronzeville, a historically African-American area with an average life expectancy lower than that of the wealthier neighborhoods to the north. The Miles to the Horizon initiative featured a geotargeted social media campaign and an in-person event that brought together community leaders and local organizations to promote the benefits of cancer screening. Featuring local Bronzeville community voices, ACS also developed a documentary short about the fight against cancer for the residents of Bronzeville.
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