In lieu of flowers
Background
Updates
Update from Feb. 5, 2026
About American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. We are the only organization working to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.Frequently asked questions
Answered by a team member at American Cancer Society
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What is your mission?
The mission of the American Cancer Society is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer.
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How are donations used?
While most people know us for our research, we do so much more. We attack cancer from every angle. We promote healthy lifestyles to help you prevent cancer. We research cancer and its causes to find more answers and better treatments. We fight for lifesaving policy changes. We provide everything from emotional support to the latest cancer information for those who have been touched by cancer. And we do it all 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call us on our helpline 1-800-227-2345 or visit us on cancer.org
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What can be done with a $100 donation?
$100 can provide two free nights at an American Cancer Society Hope Lodge community to patients and their caregivers, saving them more than $5,674 in lodging costs. It also has the potential to provide 4 free rides to treatment for cancer patients who would otherwise have no means of transportation.
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What progress has been made already thanks to your donors?
By taking what we’ve learned through research and translating it into action, we’ve contributed to a 26% decrease in the overall US cancer death rate since 1991. That means that we helped avoid nearly 2.4 million cancer deaths during that time.
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What is the history of your organization?
The American Cancer Society was founded in 1913 and has been the leading cancer fighting organization since that time. We’ve been part of major Cancer Breakthroughs in the Past Century, such as:
• The first successful chemotherapy treatment
• The adoption of the Pap test for uterine and cervical cancer screenings
• Requiring a warning label on all cigarette packets
• The first to scientifically prove a link between smoking and cancer
• Helping pass legislation that banned smoking in public places
• The first to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of mammograms for early detection
• We have the most contributions to bedside treatment breakthroughs
• And we have funded the most (49) Nobel Laureates in cancer research
Recent contributions to American Cancer Society
About Lasagna Love
Lasagna Love was started at the beginning of the pandemic when one mom was looking for a way to help moms in her community. She and her toddler started making and delivering meals to families in the neighborhood who were struggling, whether that struggle was financial, emotional, or simply a feeling of overwhelm.Lasagna Love has since grown into an international movement, with thousands of people all cooking and delivering meals to families in their communities. What we do is simple: feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities. Our mission is not only to help address the incredible rise in food insecurity among families but also to provide a simple act of love and kindness during a time full of uncertainty, stress, and loneliness.
Frequently asked questions
Answered by a team member at Lasagna Love
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What is your mission?
Lasagna Love is a global grassroots movement powered by thousands of volunteers cooking and delivering lasagna to neighbors in need. Our purpose is simple yet profound: feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities. We are united by our commitment to confront the rising tide of food insecurity and to offer a tangible act of love, compassion, and hope in a world often marked by uncertainty and stress. Together, we are proving that kindness has the power to nourish not only bodies, but also hearts and communities everywhere.