Bridgewater Cancer Survivor Leads MA Team to National Recognition

BRIDGEWATER, MA – A team of advocates and staff in Massachusetts, led by a Bridgewater cancer survivor, was recognized by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) for their dedication and exceptional work in cancer advocacy.

ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, presents the State Advocacy Team of the Year award annually to staff and volunteer teams that have successfully collaborated to advance the fight against cancer in their communities. In Massachusetts, the volunteer contingent of this team is lead by State Lead Ambassador Patti Morris, a local cancer survivor, caregiver, and longtime advocate.

“We are honored to recognize the Massachusetts advocacy team for its work to advance first-in-the-nation legislation that will protect future generations from a lifetime of tobacco addiction,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “Under Patti’s leadership, this volunteer team is an extraordinary example of what can be accomplished when dedicated advocates collaborate to improve public health in their community. Their tireless efforts have established Massachusetts as a national leader in the fight against cancer.”

The ACS CAN Massachusetts team was recognized for its success in advancing An Act Modernizing Tobacco Control, statewide tobacco control legislation in 2019 that prohibited the sale of all flavored tobacco products in the Commonwealth, including mint and menthol flavors, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars; taxed e-cigarettes at 75% of wholesale; and improved access to cessation services. These measures, signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker last November, went into effect on June 1 of this year.

During this campaign, Morris and ACS CAN staff counterparts led a statewide contingent of volunteers to meet with lawmakers, share their stories, and impart the critical importance of ending youth tobacco use. She is also committed to recruiting new volunteers to fight cancer through advocacy and fundraise for the organization’s lifesaving mission.

“I volunteer with ACS CAN because I want to make sure that my voice is heard for those that can't have their voices heard, and I’m honored to be part of this award-winning team.” said Morris.

“I have lost 28 loved ones to this terrible disease: enough is enough. I want to make sure that my grandkids never hear the words “you have cancer” and I know ACS CAN’s mission helps bring us closer to that each and every day. Every volunteer on this team has had their lives impacted by cancer in some way, and they are committed to making a difference,” she continued.

The award was presented on Sept. 13 as part of the annual ACS CAN Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Nearly 500 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones met virtually with their elected officials on Sept. 15 to urge them to make cancer a national priority.

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About ACS CAN

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.