ACS To Lobby For Cancer Funding

HARTFORD — The American Cancer Society will hold a Connecticut Relay For Life Celebration on the Hill at Bushnell Park in Hartford on April 27. Ambassadors from every senatorial district in the state will meet with their elected officials to let them know that fighting cancer is a priority to constituents.

Celebration on the Hill is a grassroots event, a celebration of the lives of cancer survivors from across the state. It will empower volunteers to advocate for better laws that will help Connecticut residents fight cancer. It will also remember those lost to the disease.

“I’m really excited to go to Celebration on the Hill to talk to our state officials about what they can do to help make cancer a thing of the past,” said Maureen Franco, ambassador and member of the Celebration on the Hill Operations Committee. “I think this event will help make more people aware of what the American Cancer Society is doing in the fight against cancer.”

In order to have a stronger impact on legislators in Hartford, the American Cancer Society needs volunteers to serve as community ambassadors and event participants.

A community ambassador will put a face on, and give a voice to, the fight against cancer, the ACS said. The ambassadors will attend a regional advocacy message training on April 9 at the Farmington Marriott, conducted by ACS staff, participate in Celebration on the Hill, meet with legislators, assist in promotion of the event at local Relay For Life activities and society programs, help to recruit friends, colleagues and family to participate, walk the Relay track and participate in all ceremonies at Celebration on the Hill on April 27, and be familiar with the American Cancer Society and its mission.

Event participants will attend Celebration on the Hill and recruit others to participate in the event.

To learn more about the event or to register, call Aimee Monroy-Smith at 203-379-4850 or visit www.cancer.org/ctcelebration.