The American Cancer Society is a voluntary organization operating throughout the United States. Its main goal is to raise funds and awareness about the severity and prevalence of cancer. Cancer education and research are where most of the attention and monetary donations are used. The American Cancer Society strives to achieve its goal of “less cancer and more birthdays” across all generations and populations (ACS Inc., 2011). The American Cancer Society began its fight in 1913 as the American Society for the Control of Cancer. (ASCC), which included fifteen members in New York (ACS Inc, 2011). Cancer has never been a high priority disease and has often been pushed aside due to lack of treatment, difficult conditions and poor diagnosis. In 1945, after World War II, the ASCC was reorganized and renamed the American Cancer Society (ACS) (ACS Inc, 2011). At this point, America was able to recognize the problems on the home front, whose major public health problems were evident. In 1946, a woman named Mary Lasker, a member of the original ASCC, helped raise more than $4 million for the Society, $1 million of which was used to establish and fund the infamous cancer research ( ACS Inc., 2011). Shortly thereafter, Dr. Sidney Farber, one of the Society's first research fellows, achieved the first temporary remission of cancer in a child with acute leukemia using the drug Aminopterin (ACS Inc, 2011). The ACS has been developing research theories for decades, with approximately $3.5 billion dedicated to finding a cure for cancer through research (ACS, 2011). With the ACS name recognized nationally, they have been able to help fund many prevention strategies and research at the national, government, and hospital levels. Even though my friend lost his battle with esophageal cancer, he raised over $50,000 for ACS with the help of our community, family and friends. He wanted to thank ACS for what they had done for him and wanted nothing more than to save someone else from what he had to go through. ACS stood by him until the end providing hope and support, and for that I think it is a remarkable organization. I don't think any improvement is needed for this organization. They use all types of prevention and education tools, including technology, media and events. ACS can only continue its research in hopes of finding a cure for cancer. Time is the only factor that can be for or against the Company's efforts. Spreading faith, knowledge and strategies to beat cancer is the only way to protect individuals from the burden of cancer..