Suzanne Mages, Relay For Life Senior Community Manager

03/25/2026

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month – and you can take charge of your health by getting screened.

I’ll be talking to my doctor about getting screened … will you?

03/13/2026

Fact Friday: March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month – and more young people than ever are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer than ever before.

Together, we can end colorectal cancer as we know it, for everyone. 💙

03/09/2026

🌟YOU’RE INVITED! Make Your Voice Heard This March & April! 🌟
We have TWO powerful opportunities coming up for anyone who cares about cancer advocacy, public health, and making real change in our communities. Your voice truly matters — and we’d love to have you join us! 💜💪

📅 March 30 — Virtual Cancer Action Day Training
🕔 5:00–6:30 PM CST
Not able to attend live? No worries — a recording will be sent on Tuesday, March 31!
This training will get you ready, confident, and energized for the work ahead.

📅 April 1 — Iowa Health Initiative Lobby Day
🕑 2:00–4:00 PM CST
This year, ACS CAN will proudly participate in a coalition lobby day to advocate for increasing Iowa’s to***co tax — a proven policy that saves lives and reduces cancer risk. 🚭💙
If you’ve ever wanted to take action, meet with lawmakers, or use your voice for change, this is the perfect opportunity.
👉 RSVP TODAY:
🔗 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe1yLz8PNBSUgOAaHGA5s9DK2YyZVDAdo2lR4nQlB0Wk9QI3A/viewform

Let’s stand together, speak up, and make a difference for all Iowans. 💜
Your voice matters. Your story matters. YOU matter.
If you'd like, I can also create a shorter version, a graphic to go with it, or a version geared toward volunteers!

02/27/2026

I’m thrilled to share some personal news — I’ve recently been promoted from Senior Development Manager to Associate Director within the CCF team! 💜

As excited as I am for this next step, what I feel even more deeply is gratitude. Every mile of this journey has been shaped by the truly AMAZING volunteers I’ve had the privilege to work alongside over the last 12 years. You’ve welcomed me into your communities, shared your stories, rolled up your sleeves, and shown what compassion in action really looks like.

You are the heartbeat of Relay For Life.

And I hope you never forget how much what you do matters.
Because every lap walked… every dollar raised… every sponsorship secured… every candle lit… helps someone’s loved one, friend, neighbor, or coworker feel supported on one of the hardest journeys they’ll ever face. Your passion, creativity, and determination change lives — and I am constantly inspired by you.

As I step into this new role, I’m excited to continue growing, supporting, and championing the work we do together. Please keep Relaying, keep dreaming big, and keep showing up with that purple power that makes such a difference.

Thank you for being part of my story — and for letting me be part of yours. 💜✨

Here’s to the next chapter, and to making an even bigger impact… together.

02/15/2026

😎 EARLY MISSION MONDAY (PROM SEASON EDITION)

Something happened this weekend that officially unlocked a new level of motherhood for me. Our third kid is getting ready for prom and casually drops this question like she’s asking if she can go to Target:
“Mom… can I use a tanning bed?”

I didn’t even blink. I didn’t breathe. I didn’t soften my tone. “No. Absolutely not. Tanning beds cause cancer.” (In case context is needed, I have worked for the American Cancer Society for almost 13 years. She has, in fact, heard this her entire life.)

Her response? “Well if I just do it occassioally untill prom what difference does it make?”
Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor. 😅 Teen logic is truly undefeated.

Then I pulled out what I thought was my mic-drop moment: “It’s not up to me — it’s illegal in Iowa.” Turns out… motherhood keeps you humble. I double-checked, because facts matter.
👉 Iowa does heavily regulate tanning facilities (permits, warning statements, safety rules), but there isn’t currently a statewide law that flat-out bans tanning beds for everyone under 18.
There have been bills trying to restrict minors (including parental consent requirements), but right now it’s not a total ban. Darn it!!🤯

So there we were: • Me: “I’m not signing anything.” • Her: “It’s not a big deal.” • Dad: lost in his phone but smiling silently like Switzerland 🇨🇭 (zero help, full peacekeeping).

Now, let me be clear — I am not judging anyone. I tanned in high school. I tanned for my wedding. I tanned for my honeymoon. I tanned for vacations.
But I haven’t touched a tanning bed in about 10 years because when we know better, we do better.
(See also: the time I put Bounce dryer sheets on my kids to keep mosquitoes away because the internet told me to. 😬
Spoiler: we don’t do that anymore either.)

I attempted a pivot to the next teen-approved compromise: “What about self tanners or a spray tan?” And that’s when my mom brain kicked in: Is it actually safer? What’s in it? If it stains the bathroom walls (which it DOES), what exactly is it doing on her skin?

So I spent my Sunday doing what moms do best: 🧠 Googling 📚 Reading studies ☕ Drinking coffee 🧽 Scrubbing self-tanner off the bathroom wall and floor while questioning all my life choices! (If you were a mom to my generation of teen this is the new Gen Z equivalent to “White rain scum” on EVERYTHING!)
Here’s the short, non-preachy version of what I learned:
✨ TANNING BEDS UV tanning devices are officially classified as cancer-causing. There’s no “safe” tanning bed. The risk adds up over time.
✨ SPRAY TANS / SELF-TANNERS Most use an ingredient called DHA that colors the top layer of skin (not the same way the sun tans you). They’re generally considered safer than UV tanning — BUT: • DHA is meant for external use only • You don’t want to inhale it • You don’t want it in eyes, lips, or mouth • Ventilation and face protection matter
✨ IMPORTANT MOM PSA A fake tan is NOT sunscreen. A glow does not equal protection. Sunscreen still applies. Always.

So where did we land? For our family:
❌ No tanning beds
✅ Sunless tanning with common sense, precautions, and transparency

I’m not here to tell anyone what to do. I’m just here to say: Teenagers are persuasive. Prom is expensive. Dads will remain neutral. And prevention is still the mission. 💛

If you’re navigating prom season, competion dance season, wedding season, or just standing in your bathroom wondering how self-tanner got on the ceiling — I see you.

Sources and science in the comments for anyone who wants them. Because facts > fear. And moms deserve good info (and a sense of humor). 😉

02/03/2026

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer, deciding what's next can be overwhelming. [ACS CARES](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs.../acs-cares.html) (Community Access to Resources, Education, and Support) is the only app that equips those facing cancer with curated content, programs, and services to fit their specific cancer journey. Please share this link with those you love who are on a cancer journey.

01/24/2026

The American Cancer Society has released its Cancer Facts & Figures 2026 report, offering a clear look at today’s cancer landscape in the U.S. - including where progress is being made and steps you can take to help reduce cancer risk. Take a deeper look at the data and insights that can help inform conversations and advocacy for people facing cancer:

https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/all-cancer-facts-figures/2026-cancer-facts-figures

01/24/2026

What team will be #100 to register their Gold Together team at a 2026 Relay For Life season? We currently have 99 teams! Will it be you? www.relayforlife.org/goldtogether

01/20/2026

🚨 ACS Fundraising App Update Alert! 🚨
A new version of the ACS Fundraising App was released late last week, and we want to make sure everyone is using the latest and greatest version!
📲 Please uninstall the app and then reinstall it to ensure you’re fully updated.
This helps fix bugs, improve performance, and make your fundraising experience even smoother. 💜
Spread the word to your teams! 🙌

01/13/2026

Talk about it Tuesday: Dr. Byrne is an ACS funded researcher who I have gotten to meet and talk with multiple times! This is so EXCITING! Our mission and donor dollars at work!

James Byrne, MD, PhD, and his team have developed a tiny but powerful device that could change the way certain bladder cancers are treated. 🩺✨

The drug-releasing intravesical floating technology, or DRIFT, device is about the size of a dime and gently floats in the bladder and releases chemotherapy on a controlled schedule. This could mean fewer long clinic visits, less invasive procedures, and even the possibility for patients to remove the device themselves once treatment is done.

Learn more with the link in the comments.

01/07/2026

started with one volunteer’s vision to renew his commitment to Relay For Life and encouraged others to join him. Since then, Joe Gillette’s vision has spread globally and on the first Saturday of the New Year, Relayers worldwide take their first lap of the year together. We invite everyone to continue Joe’s vision and take your first steps of the season with us on Saturday, Jan. 10, and register for your local 2026 Relay For Life event! More information is available in https://www.acsresources.org/relayforlife/firstlap2026/.