American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Vermont - ACS CAN

04/24/2026

Our volunteers truly are the reason why we are able to see so many great successes in Vermont and throughout the country. We are so lucky to work with Vermonters who are so passionate and dedicated to the fight against cancer!

If our posts have moved you to get involved with ACS CAN VT please sign up to join our volunteer team. https://fightcancer.org/VolVT

04/22/2026

Our post today is a very special one. We are so deeply grateful to each volunteer who took time out of their busy days to advocate for biomarker testing in Montpelier today! It was a deeply moving and impactful afternoon of networking, legislative conversations, floor recognition, ice cream, and more!

04/22/2026

Today, volunteers from across Vermont are in Montpelier for our 2026 Cancer Action Day to share stories and discuss legislative work that would help cancer patients and their families.

Please join us in sending a message to your lawmakers to amplify our message!

ACS CAN is the leading cancer advocacy organization that is working every day to make cancer issues a national priority.

04/21/2026

Our next highlight is our new State Lead Ambassador, Melissa Cox. Originally from Wallingford, she now calls West Rutland home. Melissa has been volunteering with ACS CAN since 2020 and we are thrilled to have her! She is a powerhouse advocate, fundraiser, and friend to all volunteers who have the chance to know her.

Q + A with Melissa

Q: What is your personal cancer connection?
A: I have known far too many people who have been diagnosed with cancer, with varying outcomes. I started fundraising in 2000 in various organizations, and found my home with Relay For Life, and eventually ACS CAN.

Q: What do you like about advocating with us?
A: Helping amplify the stories of cancer patients and their families. I love giving power to those who may feel helpless in the battle against cancer.

Q: What is your proudest ACS CAN moment?
A: Hearing of the passage of MCED, after working on it for almost 6 years!

Q: When you're not advocating for cancer patients, what can people find you doing?
A: I teach group exercise classes and have focused on working with older adults to help them with strength, balance, and cognitive health to maintain or improve independence.

Stay tuned this week for more introductions to our leadership team!

04/20/2026

For our first highlight, we're thrilled to introduce Jason Kirchick, our brand new Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT) Lead for Vermont. He lives in Burlington and has been part of the volunteer team for 3 years. Jason is such a vibrant, passionate advocate with the organization and we're so glad to have him on our leadership team.

Q + A with Jason

Q: What is your personal cancer connection?
A: I'm a hematology and oncology nurse whose life has been deeply shaped by the impact of cancer — not only at the bedside, but at home. I lost my father to colon cancer, my sister is a breast cancer survivor, and my mother faced uterine cancer. These experiences fuel my commitment to fighting for every patient and family navigating this journey.

Q: What do you like about advocating with us?
A: The people. ACS CAN brings together an incredible community of advocates who show up with purpose, passion, and heart. It's an honor to stand alongside them.

Q: What is your proudest ACS CAN moment?
A: Watching legislators commit to supporting policy and legislation that has the potential to impact countless lives. But equally meaningful has been bringing colleagues into this work — teaching them why advocacy matters, watching them show up at the State House for the first time, and seeing them carry this mission forward. That ripple effect is everything.

Q: When you're not advocating for cancer patients, what can people find you doing?
A: Before I became a nurse, I was an opera singer and performed with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus at Boston Symphony Orchestra. I'm originally from the Cape Cod area and still feel most at home near the ocean. I'm also currently pursuing my Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certificate, working toward an oncology fellowship, and I serve as a regional coordinator for Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society of nursing. When I'm not advocating or studying, you might find me walking my dog Seven or working on a memoir about the critical illness that changed my life and led me to nursing.

Stay tuned this week for more introductions to our leadership team!

04/19/2026

We are so glad to kick off with a shout out to volunteers from Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont who attended ACS CAN's Spring Leadership Summit! Our volunteers are the strongest, passionate, and most resilient bunch and we are so blessed to have them advocating with us!

Stay tuned this week for highlights of ACS CAN Vermont's leadership volunteers!

03/31/2026

🍦 Ready to get the scoop on fighting cancer? 🍦

Join us for our ice cream social Cancer Action Day on Wednesday, April 22nd! Before our event, we’ll send you everything you will need to be successful, including training on how to advocate with lawmakers. Your voice will make a difference, and this is an event you won’t want to miss! https://act.fightcancer.org/a/vtcad26

03/27/2026

ACS CAN is the leading cancer advocacy organization that is working every day to make cancer issues a national priority.

03/11/2026

Join the largest cancer advocacy group in the country on April 22nd for our 2026 ACS CAN Cancer Action Day & Ice Cream Social! This event will bring together individuals who are passionate about advocating for cancer patients and their families. Register at https://act.fightcancer.org/a/vtcad26

While at the State House, you can share your personal stories with state lawmakers to advocate for better policies that improve access to life saving cancer treatment all over some tasty ice cream. 🍦

First time meeting with an elected official? Don't worry! We will provide all the training, support, and materials you need to effectively advocate with us at ACS CAN. Register today! https://act.fightcancer.org/a/vtcad26

02/03/2026

Moments ago, Congress passed the most impactful cancer-fighting bill in years. It happened thanks to cancer advocates like you who refused to back down!

Together, you sent more than 120,000 messages, made phone calls, and took to social media to urge lawmakers to reject cuts and invest in cancer research. They heard you, and they did.

Your advocacy made a difference: This bill becoming law means more people can be screened for cancer earlier, get treatment sooner, and have a better chance to survive and thrive.

Thank you for everything you do. ❤️