• An image with dark blue background on the left half and a light-blue background on the right half. The left side reads "NCCS is now... CANCER NATION [logo]". The right side reads "We are Cancer Nation. We are here to be heard. | We are evolving our identity to put survivors front and center, strengthening our collective voice to demand better care. Cancer Nation is the voice of America’s 18 million cancer survivors: those living with, through, and beyond cancer. We are uniting to demand cancer care that not only helps us survive, but thrive." Orange button reads: Find out more about our next chapter."

  • Cancer Nation Advocates

    Cancer Nation Advocates brings together individuals who care about cancer care to learn how policy shapes our health care system—and how we can improve it together.

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  • Our mission is to advocate for quality cancer
    care for all people touched by cancer.

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    advocate for quality cancer care

  • Cancer Survivorship Checklist

    Empowering patients to be actively engaged in their care.

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News

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Events

Who We Are

In 1986, the founders of Cancer Nation set out to establish an organization that would replace the words “cancer victim” with “cancer survivor,”
and bring about a different notion of the cancer experience. The founders envisioned an organization that would deal
with the full spectrum of survivorship issues related to living with, through, and beyond a cancer diagnosis.

Who We Are

In 1986, the founders of Cancer Nation set out to establish an organization that would replace the words “cancer victim” with “cancer survivor,” and bring about a different notion of the cancer experience. The founders envisioned an organization that would deal with the full spectrum of survivorship issues related to living with, through, and beyond a cancer diagnosis.

Learn More

What We Do

18.1 M+

Cancer Survivors
in the United States

39

Years Of Advocating for
Cancer Survivors

1.5 M+

Resources
Distributed

1100 +

Cancer Nation CPAT
Advocates

Cancer Nation News & Events

a photo of a Researcher using micropipettes with purple-colored solution, for biologic tests

Cancer Nation Responds to OMB Proposed Rule On Medical Research

Cancer Nation submitted comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), both independently and alongside fellow cancer advocacy…
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a graphic with a text headline reading "Cancer Nation Announces New Leadership Academy Cohort", underneath are Headshots of all 12 2026 cancer Nation Ambassadors side-by-side

Meet the 2026 Cancer Nation Leadership Academy Ambassadors

We are proud to welcome the 2026 Cancer Nation Leadership Academy cohort. Following a competitive application process, 12 survivors,…
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Eshan Vishwakarma Advocate Spotlight Banner

Saved by a Trial, Building the Fix: Eshan Vishwakarma’s Path from Patient to Founder

Diagnosed with neuroblastoma at three, Eshan Vishwakarma now builds tools to fix cancer care navigation. A Cancer Nation Advocate shares his story and why he is passionate about access and survivorship.
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Graphic with text. Cancer Nation Town Hall | The Right to Thrive: A Conversation on the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act | Bold, bipartisan legislation designed to strengthen survivorship care and improve quality of life. | Logos for Cancer Nation, Children's Cancer Cause, Lymphoma Research Foundation

The Right to Thrive: A Conversation on the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act

On June 15, Cancer Nation co-hosted a virtual town hall with the Lymphoma Research Foundation and Children's Cancer Cause to build…
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A graphic showing the Medicaid.gov website

Cancer Nation Statement: Medicaid Work Requirements Will Unfairly Burden Cancer Survivors

Cancer Nation strongly supports a health care system free of waste, fraud, and abuse. Health care resources must be directed to delivery…
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Image with graphics and text that reads Cancer Nation Understanding Blood-Based Testing in Cancer Care | Watch Now | With Support From: Guardant Health Logo

Webinar – Understanding Blood-Based Testing in Cancer Care

Cancer Nation's Webinar Series presents a clear, practical conversation about advances in blood-based testing and how they're shaping…
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a picture of susie leigh similing wearing a purple top. Words over the photo read In loving memory, Susie Leigh, Cancer Nation Co-founder, 1947-2026

Remembering Susie Leigh: A Founder, a Force, and a Friend

Susan (Susie) Leigh, BSN, RN-Retired — one of the founding members of Cancer Nation, a five-time cancer survivor, and one of the…
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Jesse Lindemann, MD Advocate Spotlight Cover

From Diagnosis to Doctor: When No One Was Listening, Jesse Lindemann, MD, Became the Doctor She Needed

Jessie Lindemann, MD, spent months being dismissed before her Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis. Now she's a cancer survivor, family doctor, and advocate building survivorship care in North Dakota.
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Cancer nation logo on dark blue background

Cancer Nation Applauds the Introduction of the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act

Washington, DC, May 14, 2026 – Cancer Nation applauds the introduction of the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act,…
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Bright lime green background with the words Cancer Nation Leadership Academy in White and blue text

Introducing The Cancer Nation Leadership Academy

Elevating Survivorship is now the Cancer Nation Leadership Academy. We're changing the name — and expanding the mission. This…
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Tom Warren Headshot

Outliving the Odds, Rewriting the Path: Tom Warren’s Story of Survivorship and Advocacy

Meet Tom Warren. Six years after a rare cancer diagnosis he was never expected to survive, Tom is redefining what it means to live with and beyond cancer; navigating lasting side effects, loss of identity, and a new path forward through advocacy.
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Webinar – Bispecific Antibodies in Cancer Care: What to Know, What to Expect

Cancer Nation's Webinar Series presents Bispecific Antibodies in Cancer Care: What to Know, What to Expect, with Tara Graff, DO, MS.…
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Various photos of Erin Cummings

Remembering Erin Cummings, A Passionate Advocate for Survivors and Founder of Hodgkin’s International

We at Cancer Nation are heartbroken over the loss of Erin Cummings, founder of Hodgkin's International. Erin was one of us. And she…
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Daria Ross Advocate Spotlight cover image

Faith, Family, and the Power of Saying Yes: Daria Ross on Turning Survivorship Into Action

Meet Daria Ross: Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor and Advocate whose work focuses on patient education, community-centered advocacy, and turning lived experience into policy change.
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Introducing Cancer Nation Advocates: Turning Lived Experience Into Lasting Change

Cancer Nation is relaunching its Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team program with a broader, more inclusive vision for the entire Cancer…
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Blue graphic with cancer nation logo at top-left, below text reads Advocate Spotlight | Brandon Hertzendorf | Research Made Survival Possible: Turning Experience Into Advocacy. To the right, a cutout photo of Brandon.

Research Made Survival Possible: Brandon Hertzendorf on Turning Experience into Advocacy

Brandon Hertzendorf’s path to advocacy sits at the intersection of lived experience, research, and a deep belief that cancer care can and must be better. Born and raised in South Florida, Brandon describes his childhood as fairly typical. That changed during high school [...]
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Photo Credit: Lauren Tabak

The Meaning We Make: Laurel Braitman’s Path from Co-Survivor to Advocate

Advocate Spotlight: Laurel Braitman Laurel Braitman has spent her life at the intersection of story, healing, and human connection.…
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Image with blue background and text. Cancer Nation Survivorship Survey | 2025 Survey Results Briefing | Images of the speakers liana gainsboro and Shelley Fuld Nasso. to the right, a button reads Watch Now.

Cancer Nation Releases Survivorship Survey 2025 Results

Cancer Nation worked with Edge Research to conduct our seventh annual nationwide survey of cancer survivors, exploring their experiences…
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Pazdur posing with award, and Califf

Statement on Dr. Richard Pazdur Being Named FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Director

November 13, 2025 – Cancer Nation applauds the choice of Dr. Richard Pazdur as the Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and…
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Flyer for webinar Navegando la terapia de células T con CAR: su camino hacia la recuperación | Mira Ahora

Webinar – Navegando la terapia de células T con CAR: su camino hacia la recuperación

La serie de seminarios web de Cáncer Nation presenta “Navegando la terapia de células T con CAR: su camino hacia la recuperación”,…
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Woman facing the Washington DC Capitol building

30+ Patient Orgs Urge Congress to Extend Health Care Tax Credits Immediately

Cancer Nation and more than 30 other patient advocacy organizations are calling on Congress to immediately renew the enhanced premium…
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graphic with a blue background reading in white text Cancer Nation Webinar Series - Navigating CAR T Cell Therapy: Your Journey to Recovery | Watch Now | Webinar Sponsor Kite | Headshots of speakers Arnoldo Rodriguez and Shelley Fuld Nasso are on the right side of the image.

Webinar – Navigating CAR T-Cell Therapy: Your Journey to Recovery

Cancer Nation's Webinar Series presents "Navigating CAR T-Cell Therapy: Your Journey to Recovery," a conversation about the journey…
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Protect Our Health Care: Tell Congress to Extend ACA Tax Credits

Millions Could Lose Health Coverage if Congress Fails to Act 22 million Americans rely on Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax…
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Webinar: Navigating Communication on Clinical Trials in Oncology

Effective communication between patients and oncologists is essential to ensure understanding, participation, and optimal outcomes. This webinar discusses the role of communication in clinical trial participation. Viewers will gain insight into how communication can influence trial participation, improve patient understanding, and address concerns such as eligibility, side effects, and informed consent.
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Advocate Spotlight: Janice Cowden- From Survivor to System Challenger

Janice Cowden: From Survivor to System Challenger

At Cancer Nation, we are powered by the voices of those who live with, through, and beyond cancer. We don’t speak on behalf of survivors—we amplify those who are already speaking. This month, we’re honored to feature Janice Cowden, a metastatic breast cancer (MBC) advocate whose work in research, policy, and peer support continues to shape the future of care.
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Image flyer for webinar - Cancer Nation Webinar Series - Clarifying Cancer Diets: A Critical Look at Trending Cancer Diets and Practical Tools to Create a Personalized Nutrition Plan, featuring Kirstin Nussgruber, BCHN, CNC, EMB

Clarifying Cancer Diets: A Critical Look at Trending Diets & Practical Tools for Nutrition Planning

Cancer survivors often find themselves confronted with trying to navigate through the maze of confusing and contradictory nutritional…
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Cancer nation logo on dark blue background

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship Is Now Cancer Nation

For nearly 40 years, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) has been the leading voice for quality cancer care. When…
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Advocate Spotlight: Arlene Kutoroff- From Counselor to Cancer Advocate: Arlene Kutoroff’s Journey of Strength, Intuition, and Impact

From Counselor to Cancer Advocate: Arlene Kutoroff’s Journey of Strength, Intuition, and Impact

Meet Arlene Kutoroff. She’s a fiercely independent survivor and longtime volunteer advocate who channels her background in counseling into helping others navigate life after cancer.
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Joe Biden

NCCS Statement on President Joe Biden’s Diagnosis with Metastatic Prostate Cancer

We are deeply saddened to learn of President Joe Biden’s diagnosis with metastatic prostate cancer. As a father, a caregiver, and…
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Advocate Spotlight: Gena Gurman, OTDS Gena Gurman: Bridging the Gap in Survivorship Care with Compassion, Creativity, and Cognitive Support

Gena Gurman: Bridging the Gap in Survivorship Care with Compassion, Creativity, and Cognitive Support

Meet Gena Gurman, OTDS. An occupational therapy doctoral student, Gena created a powerful new resource to help cancer survivors understand and manage cognitive changes after treatment.
Read more
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Link to: Survivorship Champions

Get Involved in Research

Cancer Nation conducts an annual Survivorship Survey to explore how patients and survivors are living with, through, and beyond cancer. This study captures a range of perspectives to better understand how Cancer Nation can support its mission to advocate for quality cancer care for all.

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Link to: Cancer Nation Advocates

Join Cancer Nation Advocates

Cancer Nation Advocates is a program that brings together individuals who care about cancer care to learn how policy shapes our health care system—and how we can improve it together

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Link to: Survivor Stories

Share Your Story

Cancer Nation represents the millions of Americans who share a common experience – living with, through and beyond a cancer diagnosis. By sharing your story of how you have been touched by cancer, you are supporting the national cancer survivorship movement.

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Cancer Survivor Stories