For more than 112 years, the American Cancer Society has been leading the fight to end cancer.
With your support, we have helped usher in an era where more people survive cancer than ever before. By translating our research findings into action, we’ve seen a 40% decline in US cancer death rates since the early 1990’s.
We invite you to join us for mission impact through the Portland Hope Gala in our ongoing effort to put an end to cancer.
Jessica became involved with the American Cancer Society (ACS) Gala Committee in 2024, serving as the Auction Chair. She is a multiple myeloma survivor, currently navigating an ongoing battle with the disease since 2017. Her personal journey—including participation in several clinical research trials—drives her unwavering commitment to the ACS mission: improving the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support.
Cancer has touched multiple generations of Jessica’s family. Her mother is a colon cancer survivor, and her grandmother has survived breast cancer twice. Sadly, both of her grandfathers passed away—one from esophageal cancer and the other from lung cancer. These deeply personal experiences inspire Jessica to advocate for better access to treatments, critical research funding, and comprehensive patient support services that give families hope and a fighting chance.
Outside of her advocacy, Jessica enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, son, daughter, and their two dogs.
During this year’s Fund the Mission Paddle Raise, your generosity will directly support the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission by advancing groundbreaking cancer research.
For more than 75 years, the American Cancer Society has been the nation’s largest private, nonprofit funder of cancer research. Through a rigorous peer-review process, ACS invests in the most promising scientists and innovative research projects, helping accelerate discoveries that lead to new treatments, improve patient outcomes, and bring us closer to a world without cancer.
Many of today’s most significant breakthroughs began with funding from the American Cancer Society, supporting researchers at every stage of their careers and driving innovation across all cancer types.
Every paddle raised is an investment in hope. Together, we can fuel the next breakthrough, improve and save lives, and move closer to ending cancer as we know it—for everyone.
Learn MoreFor more than 10 decades, the American Cancer Society has been dedicated to pursuing better outcomes for every cancer, every life. Today, more people are surviving cancer than ever before, but there is still work to be done. Join us, support us, and help us end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
towards cancer research
winning scientists received research funding
through all patient support initiatives in 2024
