Suzanne Mages, Relay For Life Senior Community Manager

07/09/2026

Talk About it Thursday: A Remarkable Breakthrough in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Decades of research – funded in part by the American Cancer Society – have led to a truly remarkable approach to treating pancreatic cancer. A new drug still in clinical trials, daraxonrasib, is showing great promise in treatment and survivorship.

A lot of pancreatic cancer research is focused on finding better treatments. Learn more about research that is being done in medical centers across the world.

06/26/2026

Relay For Life of Mills County - Iowa, Relay For Life of Cass County - Iowa, Relay For Life of Carroll County - Iowa, Relay For Life of Des Moines County - Iowa, Relay For Life of Henry County - Iowa, Relay For Life of Boone County - Iowa, Relay For Life of Audubon County - Iowa, Relay For Life of Guthrie County - Iowa, Relay For Life of Buchanan County - Iowa, and Relay For Life of Dubuque County - Iowa can we help get this map colored in this weekned!

🎉 It’s officially here! 🎉

In honor of our Regional Challenge (June 22nd-28th), we’re launching our 99 County Challenge to celebrate ACS CAN’s 25th anniversary — and our goal is simple:

Raise $25 in all 99 Iowa counties.

Every dollar fuels our work to advance cancer‑fighting policies and advocate for patients statewide.

Let’s fill the map together — which county will you claim?

https://acscan.donordrive.com/participant/ACSCANIOWA2026

06/26/2026

☀️💜 Fact Friday: Protect the Skin You're In! 💜☀️
Summer is here, and many of us are spending more time outdoors—so this Fact Friday, let's talk about something that could make a lifesaving difference: sun safety.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, but many cases can be prevented. Taking a few simple steps today can help protect your health for years to come:
🌳 Seek shade whenever possible, especially during peak sun hours.
🧢 Wear protective clothing, including hats and sunglasses.
🧴 Apply and reapply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, even on cloudy days.
☀️ Protect your skin year-round, not just during summer months.
At the American Cancer Society, we're committed not only to helping people fight cancer but also to helping prevent it whenever possible. Prevention is powerful, and small healthy choices can have a big impact.
Learn more and access helpful sun safety resources in our toolkit here:
🔗 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news/stay-sun-safe-this-summer.html
This week, while you're enjoying the sunshine, making memories with family and friends, or cheering on your favorite summer events, take a moment to protect yourself and encourage those you love to do the same.
💜 Because the best summer memories are the ones that last a lifetime.
💜☀️🧴

Spending time outdoors is part of a healthy, active life. Stay safe by protecting your skin from the sun.

06/01/2026

June is Relay Month in the Midwest… and my heart is FULL 💜
As we head into an incredible season of Relay For Life events across our states, I just want to take a moment to celebrate the AMAZING community that makes this movement so powerful.
✨ To our Event Leadership Teams (ELTs) – THANK YOU for your vision, your passion, and your unwavering dedication. You are the heartbeat behind these events, and your leadership continues to inspire hope in every community you serve.
🎨 To our teams – your creativity, your planning, and your FUNdraising efforts never cease to amaze me! You bring energy, joy, and purpose to everything you do, and it shows in every detail of your events.
💜 To our supporters, sponsors, and donors – thank you for believing in this mission and investing in it. Because of YOU, we are able to continue moving forward—supporting survivors, honoring loved ones, and ensuring no one has to face cancer alone.
👏 And to our incredible staff partners – whether you are near or far, thank you for walking alongside our volunteers every step of the way. Your commitment to empowering volunteers, encouraging innovation, and helping reimagine what Relay can be is truly making a difference.
Together, we are creating experiences that are more meaningful, more personal, and more impactful than ever before.
Here’s to an unforgettable Relay season across the midwest 💫
Let’s keep showing up, lifting each other up, and fighting for a world without cancer.
WOOT WOOT for Relay Month!!! 💜🔥

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.