Light Up the Globe: Honor Every Life Touched by Cancer
The American Cancer Society (ACS) has a long history of reducing barriers for cancer patients in the U.S., but cancer knows no borders. Our global mission spans 57 countries, focused on cancer prevention, reducing suffering, shaping global policy, and empowering local cancer organizations to increase visibility and awareness.
We are excited to continue partnering with Microsoft employees year-round to give cancer organizations around the world a platform to increase their visibility and generate cancer awareness. The ACS Relay For Life Program unites 35 countries from 6 continents with Global Relay For Life events to bring people together to honor those affected by cancer and light up the dark by displaying Luminaria bags that are decorated in remembrance of patients, survivors, and those we have lost.
We invite you to help light up the globe by dedicating a Luminaria bag to a loved one or a co-worker who has lost their battle to cancer, in honor of those who won and those who are still fighting the disease. Be sure to log your volunteer hours or have your donations matched by Microsoft.
Use this form to dedicate a Luminaria bag in honor of, in memory of, or in support of a loved one or someone you know who has been impacted by cancer. Upload a design to help light the path of hope for cancer survivors or thrivers currently undergoing treatment or to remember someone we have lost to cancer.
Please log your volunteer hours through Microsoft's GIVE program by searching for the American Cancer Society, Inc. and selecting the project Light Up the Globe: Honor Every Life Touched by Cancer.
Get Involved
Continue the momentum of Microsoft employees who have dedicated 2,725 Luminaria's in 27 participating countries. Through Microsoft's volunteer matching, $29,853 benefited the American Cancer Society and India-based employees matching supported the Indian Cancer Society, raising $24,989.
- Donate to the American Cancer Society and Microsoft will match your donations.
- Create a Luminaria bag and log your volunteer hours.
- Join a Relay For Life event: United States or Global
Our Global Work
The American Cancer Society's global work is focused on lower-income countries, where we work across the full cancer continuum, predominantly in national referral hospitals, often the only facilities where cancer is currently addressed. We seek measurable results in countries where Ministries of Health, hospitals and civil society partners can make the most significant impact. Areas of prioritization include controlling risk factors, infection-associated cancers, women's cancers, and pediatric/adolescent cancers.
Our flagship program, the Building Expertise, Advocacy, and Capacity for Oncology Navigation (BEACON) Initiative, strengthens health institutions and cancer organizations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through patient navigation—a proven model of patient-centered care. Drawing on our success with this model in the U.S., we are helping LMICs improve cancer outcomes and patient experiences.
Our global cancer preventative work is focused on preventing and treating cervical cancer. One woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes resulting in over 340,000 preventable deaths annually and 9 out of 10 cervical cancer deaths globally occur on LMICs. For example, India has 1 in 5 cases of cervical cancer in the world but has less than a 5% screening rate. The HPV Vaccine and cervical cancer screening are both underutilized but effective tools for prevention.
Our Global Patient Support team works with health care facilities and organizations in LMICs to help cancer patients and their caregivers on their cancer journey by promoting patient-centered care through the implementation of patient navigation and cancer education for patients and caregivers. The goal is to remove barriers to care, reduce patient suffering, increase treatment adherence, and improve health outcomes. The team provides training, guidance, and mentorship to health care facilities and cancer-focused organizations to ensure that cancer patient care and support services are coordinated, comprehensive, and effective.
"When I learned that I had cancer, I was very scared. However, after meeting with Helen, one of the navigators, I learned a lot more about cancer and felt encouraged to seek treatment. Helen served as an advisor throughout my difficult journey through chemotherapy, as she helped me learn about the side effects of treatment and how I could manage them. Now, I'm almost finished with treatment and am deeply grateful for all that the navigation team has done to help me through this time."
The American Cancer Society has a long history of working to reduce barriers for cancer patients in the United States (US). However, the needs of cancer patients and their families in LMICs can be even greater than for patients in the US. These patients are often more vulnerable due to higher rates of poverty, health facilities and systems that are severely under-resourced (e.g., specialized staff, equipment, medicines, etc.), low levels of understanding cancer, and limited patient support services. All these factors contribute to poor health outcomes.
To learn more, please visit our global work website.
Recent Luminarias
In Honor Of Rebecca Casto
Honoring your journey as a survivor of thyroid cancer, and admiring how you advocated for your health and wellness when you knew something wasn't right. There's strong, and then there's Rebecca strong. I'm so proud to know you and wish you continued health and happiness!
Shared from United States of America 1 month ago
In Honor Of Toni
Your strength is an inspiration
Shared from United States of America 1 month ago
In Memory Of Matthew
Lost his battle way too young.
Shared from United States of America 1 month ago
In Memory Of Tottie Pharms
I hope to be as brave and strong and fun and loving as you were during your journey, should I ever have to take my own. I love you forever.
Shared from United States of America 1 month ago
In Memory Of Fred Ohm
I miss your sense of humor and fantastic outlook on life. I hope you are eating plenty of donuts and ice cream up there!
Shared from United States of America 1 month ago
In Support Of Sam
Be strong and have hope. You are loved.
Shared from United States of America 1 month ago
In Honor Of Amparo Reyes
I never met you Grandma, but I'm so blessed to have my mom and live your legacy through her. I love you very much and I know you are looking for us every day.
Shared from United States of America 1 month ago
In Support Of Veronica Kemeny
5 years ago my mother, Veronica, beat breast cancer. In 2017, she was diagnosed and the world seemed to stop for our family. Years of treatment, daily phone calls, and a countless number of wigs later - my mom is on the other side cancer-free and ready to continue to live life to the fullest. In her words, " Just take one day at a time. And hair and eyelashes do grow back."
Shared from United States of America 1 month ago
In Support Of Aunty Gbemi Ogutuga
Sending my love and support to my Amazing Aunty who is currently fighting Bone Marrow Cancer. She is the strongest most generous person I know and I know we can beat this!!
Shared from United States of America 1 month ago
In Memory Of Gloria Harvey
Love, miss and honor you always my beautiful Mum.
Shared from United Kingdom 1 month ago
In Memory Of Nebraska N. Bess, Sr
Grandpa, Not a day goes by that your children and your oldest grandchildren don’t miss you. You and the cherished memories of you will forever be a blessing and a guiding light for those who got the chance to know you and for those of us who didn’t. We’re learning you through our parents and older cousins. I know that you were amazing, and I wish I had gotten a chance to be blessed by you on this side of heaven.
Shared from United States of America 1 month ago
In Honor Of Families
In honor of the families who lost loved ones to cancer
Shared from United States of America 1 month ago
In Support Of Charlotte Donovan
You have been the bravest little girl I know! I am so proud of you for staying strong and BEATING this thing!
Shared from United States of America 1 month ago
In Support Of Caregivers
Taking a moment to thank you for all that you do to support your loved one going through cancer. Your love and support mean the world in this difficult time.
Shared from Canada 1 month ago
In Memory Of Megan
A life too short your family miss you so much
Shared from Canada 1 month ago