Initiatives and Partnerships
As part of the AACR’s mission to prevent and cure cancer through research, education, communication, and collaboration, the AACR has partnered with national and international organizations on events to further this critical goal.
national cancer research month
Each May, the AACR celebrates National Cancer Research Month, which recognizes the importance of cancer research and the contributions of researchers, physician-scientists, survivors, and patient advocates throughout the country who are dedicated to the conquest of cancer. In 2021, President Joseph Biden sent a letter to the AACR commemorating May as National Cancer Research Month. In his message, the president, who lost his son Beau Biden to a deadly form of brain cancer in 2015, said that organizations like the AACR are crucial partners in the fight to end cancer. You can read the full letter from President Biden on the AACR website.
wORLD CANCER RESEARCH DAY
World Cancer Research Day (WCRD), held annually on September 24, is an international initiative that aims to raise awareness about the vital role research plays in improving cancer treatments and reducing the global burden of this devastating collection of diseases. The AACR is a promoting organization for WCRD.
PAST EVENTS
PROGRESS AND PROMISE AGAINST CANCER
In conjunction with past AACR Annual Meetings, the AACR presented community events titled “Progress and Promise Against Cancer” in the cities where the meetings were held. Featuring some of the greatest minds in cancer research, these events were an opportunity to educate the public on a variety of topics including cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Local patient advocates were also invited to share their inspirational stories.
In 2018 and 2019, the AACR expanded the Progress and Promise Against Cancer concept with two all-day telecasts in collaboration with NBC10/Telemundo and the City of Philadelphia. Held in advance of the AACR Philadelphia Marathon, these interactive events brought together cancer research experts representing seven of the Philadelphia region’s largest health care and academic institutions to answer questions from viewers.
PEOPLE V. CANCER PRESENTED BY THE ATLANTIC
On November 12, 2019, the AACR was proud to serve as a presenting underwriter for The Atlantic’s People v. Cancer, an interactive summit of researchers, survivors, and advocates who discussed the latest advances in cancer science, treatment options just on the horizon, and what it means to live with cancer today. Topics such as the scalability of immunotherapy, Medicaid expansion, nutrition’s impact on cancer care, and many others were discussed throughout the day.
BIDEN CANCER COMMUNITY SUMMIT
On Friday, September 21, 2018, the AACR and WHYY, Philadelphia’s NPR affiliate, hosted Progress and Promise Against Cancer: A Biden Cancer Community Summit with special guest Dr. Jill Biden. The summit was held in conjunction with the Biden Cancer Initiative, which convened a national Summit in Washington, D.C. As the largest summit in Philadelphia, Progress and Promise Against Cancer featured leading cancer researchers who discussed the latest advances in cancer research spanning prevention, treatment, and survivorship.
CONTACT
To contact a member of the AACR public relations team, please see our list of media contacts.