American Cancer Society is a voluntary health organization dedicated to the control and elimination of cancer. It supports research through grants to individuals and institutions. The organization also supports service and rehabilitation programs for cancer patients and their families. It develops and directs educational programs for the public and for doctors and other health professionals.
The society is governed by a national board of 124 volunteer directors. Half the directors are laypersons and half are doctors and scientists. Most society funds are raised in its annual community crusade during April, designated as Cancer Control Month by the United States Congress in 1938.
The American Cancer Society was founded in 1913. It has national headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
