Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
At the American Cancer Society, we’re excited about the progress we’ve made against this disease. From new discoveries on what causes cancer (and how we can prevent it), to advances in early detection and treatment, more lives are being saved than ever before. Despite that progress, significant disparities in cancer incidence and mortality rates still exist across diverse populations. Ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to live a healthy life, prevent cancer, find it early, and receive high quality treatment and support when they need it, is the foundation of our work.
Research and Patient Support
What does it take to outsmart cancer? Research. We've invested more than $4.6 billion in cancer research since 1946, all to find more – and better – treatments, uncover factors that may cause cancer, and improve cancer patients' quality of life. Reducing health disparities across diverse and multicultural populations is one of our priorities.
Public Policy Advocacy
If we are to succeed in our mission to end suffering and death from cancer, it won't just happen in the doctor's office or research lab. It will require action at the statehouse and in Congress. ACS Cancer Action Network volunteers lobby their elected officials to secure funding for cancer research, ensure all Americans have access to cancer care, and support public health legislation that reduces cancer risk and improves cancer care for all Americans.
Career Opportunities & Culture
The American Cancer Society strives to build a workplace culture of belonging and collaboration; a culture where diversity is not only welcomed but is pursued as an essential strategy in the fight against cancer.
A Culture of Inclusion
All staff participate in diversity and inclusion training, designed to expand cultural awareness and promote real dialogue about inclusion.
- Foundations of Diversity and Inclusion includes a cultural awareness self-assessment, and an instructor-led webinar titled The Power of Small; Micro-messages in the Workplace.
- Our “population deep dives” provide comprehensive review of specific communities including history, cultural norms and values, medical beliefs, and patterns of volunteerism and philanthropy. These are among our most popular trainings, utilizing external resources like TED talks to foster appreciation of various multicultural topics and perspectives.
- Our manager program, titled “Leadership Matters”, focuses on the role of people managers in modeling inclusive behaviors, and eliminating unconscious bias from management decisions. The essential learning objective for this program is clear in the title; when it comes to diversity and inclusion, leadership DOES MATTER.
Employee Engagement Groups
At the American Cancer Society, Employee Engagement Groups (EEGs) serve as a resource for their members and the Society by fostering learning, generating dialogue and supporting multicultural engagement. We have six very active groups in place including: the African American and Black EEG; MiACS – our Hispanic Latino EEG; the Military Families and Veterans EEG; the LGBT and Allies EEG; genACS – our millennials EEG, and our AAPI EEG.
Every EEG welcomes all members of the Society, including full-time, part-time, and temporary employees, regardless of identity, background, or heritage. Staff from every region and department are involved in these voluntary, employee-led groups, and many staff participate in several EEGs.
A few examples of projects the EEGs have undertaken include creation of community engagement toolkits; representing the Society at large-scale community events such as PRIDE festivals; and hosting external speakers for continued staff education. In addition to their direct impact on our business goals, participation in our EEGs provides staff the opportunity to expand their peer networks, and develop team leadership skills.
Community Partnerships
All of us have been touched by cancer, and all of us are invested in freeing the world from the pain and suffering cancer causes. The American Cancer Society is honored to partner with prestigious social/civic and faith organizations, as well as individuals in the sports and entertainment industries. These partners not only give generously of themselves, but they also help us mobilize others to support the mission outreach and fundraising required to advance our lifesaving work.
Social/Civic and Faith Organizations
African Methodist Episcopal Church
The A.M.E. Church and the Society share common interests in reaching African Americans and other key constituents with messages relating to cancer. By forming a partnership, both organizations are capitalizing on each other’s strengths to promote mutual goals via multiple communication channels. The two year collaboration focuses on cancer outreach and education, volunteerism, mission support, and the 80 by 2018 Colon Cancer Campaign.
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
The Society collaborates with the National Baptist Convention to conduct outreach and education on breast and colorectal cancer in African American communities. Through church sponsored programs, communities are educated on cancer risk reduction and provided cancer screening information and resources.
The Links, Incorporated
The Eastern Area of The Links, Inc. began a partnership with the Society to address breast cancer disparities and health equity legislative priorities. The partnership has expanded nationwide, focusing on public health advocacy with ACS’s Cancer Action Network, Community Health Initiatives, and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. launched "Project S.W.W.A.C." - Sigmas Waging War Against Cancer - in 1999 to honor Tyrone Kee, a member who lost his battle with the disease. The initiative formalized a partnership with the American Cancer Society that includes education on cancer prevention and early detection, participation in Relay For Life, and public policy advocacy.
CenterLink
CenterLink works with the American Cancer Society to educate Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender individuals on cancer prevention and early detection. Key areas of focus include tobacco cessation and increasing colorectal screening rates.
National Black Justice Coalition
The National Black Justice Coalition collaborates with the Society to reach African American LGBT communities and other constituents with important messages relating to cancer prevention and early detection. The organization also supports the ACS Cancer Action Network’s health equity legislative priorities.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The American Cancer Society’s national partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is aimed at improving the health of its members and activating their communities to join the fight against cancer. The far-reaching partnership includes volunteerism, cancer education and awareness, advocacy, and Relay For Life participation.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc fight back against cancer by fundraising and providing resources to women going through cancer treatment. The sorority’s Wigs for Awareness has donated thousands of new wigs for cancer patients.
Reaching Multicultural Audiences
The American Cancer Society is attacking cancer from every angle, saving lives in every population. Our brand campaign ensures all patients, donors, volunteers and employees see themselves reflected in our lifesaving mission. This inclusive outreach is helping us reach more people, expand awareness, cultivate new partnerships, raise more dollars, and ultimately, save more lives.
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