ACS CAN North Carolina

08/25/2026

Everyone deserves access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare. Together with One Nation, Overcharged, we’re fighting to make that happen. Sign up and join the movement today ➡️

One Nation, Overcharged is an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) committed to growing the demand for a healthcare system that puts people first and works for all of us.

08/19/2026

To protect the next generation, we must recommit to proven strategies to curb smoking and to***co use that have saved lives for decades.

08/14/2026

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and ACS CAN's Black Volunteer Caucus (BVC) are hosting a nationwide, virtual screening of the short film, Transforming Our Legacy – A St. Louis Story and virtual panel featuring the storyteller...

07/21/2026

Losing his father to pancreatic cancer prompted John to join ACS CAN. Over the last 18 years, John has served in every volunteer role from Legislative Ambassador to now serving on the National Ambassador Team. During the Medicaid Expansion campaign in North Carolina, John travelled all over the state helping collect stories and building our volunteer base as the State Lead Ambassador. His efforts paid off in 2023 when he attended the Governor’s bill signing as NC finally expanded Medicaid. John’s impact is readily seen in the over 732,000 people who have enrolled in Medicaid Expansion since December of 2023. Thank you John for 18 years of advocacy for cancer patients!! Your dedication and determination are making a BIG impact in North Carolina!!

07/01/2026

06/30/2026

North Carolina lawmakers may be leaving Raleigh this week without passing critical legislation that impacts cancer patients. Time is running out to pass legislation to improve access to biomarker testing. We've been sending hundreds of messages to key lawmakers, but we need to keep reaching out to them to make sure biomarker testing is a priority this week.

Biomarker testing goes beyond cancer and applies to many other diseases. Nearly 2 years ago, Elizabeth's daughter, Katie (pictured here), caught a stomach bug that landed her in the emergency room. Her typically active, verbal two-year-old was non-responsive and had very low blood sugar. Katie's biomarker testing confirmed the diagnosis of LCHAD deficiency, a rare long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorder (LC-FAOD) that prevents her body from converting certain fats to energy. Without careful management of her diet, daily medication, and close monitoring of her overall condition, she faces life-threatening consequences.

Katie is one of only a few thousand known cases of LCHAD deficiency in the United States, but despite her diagnosis, her family had hope thanks to an FDA-approved treatment for LC-FAODs. While they know managing her rare disorder will be an ongoing challenge, they are so thankful that Katie is a thriving, happy, energetic four-year-old. They are also fortunate that their health insurance covers the biomarker testing that confirmed Katie's diagnosis and remains an essential tool in monitoring her health – but, unfortunately, that isn't always the case. With all of the worry and unanswered questions prior to her diagnosis, Elizabeth can't imagine adding a barrier to biomarker testing to the list. No patient who could benefit from biomarker testing should ever be denied access.

During this critical week of the session will you send one more message to lawmakers asking them to improve access to biomarker testing?

No patient who could benefit from biomarker testing should ever be denied access. North Carolina lawmakers may be leaving Raleigh this week without passing critical legislation that impacts cancer patients. Will you add your voice in support of this critical legislation?

06/18/2026

For families like Mason's, Biomarker Testing was life‑changing. Mason was just six years old when he was diagnosed with B‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‑cell ALL), an aggressive cancer of the blood and bone marrow. His mother, Ashley, had spent fourteen years as a pediatric oncology nurse before stepping away from her career to become his full‑time caregiver. When Mason's oncology team recommended biomarker testing—fortunately covered by their insurance—the results shaped major decisions in his treatment plan. His maintenance phase was intensified, shifting from steroid and chemotherapy treatments every three months to monthly. And although the standard of care had recently changed to eliminate an additional year of treatment for boys, Mason's genetic profile showed he still needed that extra year.

Today, Mason is cancer‑free. He now uses his voice to advocate for other families, emphasizing how essential biomarker testing was to his survival. As Ashley says, “For many children like Mason facing cancer and other life-threatening diseases, biomarker testing isn't optional—it's essential. No child's chance at survival should depend on insurance coverage or a family's ability to pay."

The North Carolina Senate is considering a bill that would expand access to biomarker testing so that more of our family, friends, and neighbors can benefit from targeted treatments. Will you send a message to lawmakers to ask for their support for this critical legislation?

https://act.fightcancer.org/a/help-kids-mason-get-right-treatment

05/19/2026

Biomarker testing can help ensure cancer patients like Ethan get the right treatment for their exact cancer, often avoiding treatments that would be ineffective or have more adverse effects. But not all patients who can benefit from biomarker testing are able to get it, and we need lawmakers to help change that.

05/15/2026

“When Mason was diagnosed, his doctors recommended biomarker testing,” Ashley said. “The results found his cancer was especially aggressive, which was crucial in shaping his treatment plans. It helped our doctors decide to increase the frequency of his steroids and chemotherapy from every three months to every month, and we went beyond the standard of care to do an extra year of treatment.

“Today, Mason is cancer-free,” Ashley said. “I am so thankful he’s able to be here with you and me today. We stand before you as proof that biomarker testing works. For children like Mason facing cancer and other life-threatening diseases, biomarker testing isn’t optional. It’s essential. No child’s chance of survival should depend on insurance approval or a family’s ability to pay.”

Thank you Ashley and Mason for joining us at Cancer Action Day and sharing your powerful story!!

Will you help us fight for patients like Mason? Sign our petition today! (Linked in the comments).

05/13/2026

What an incredible day with our amazing volunteer team. Our annual Cancer Action Day brings together volunteers from across our state to fight for cancer patients. This year we are advocating for increased access to biomarker testing. We want all patients to get the right treatment at the right time. .