A light can honor someone we love.

It can also show us where we still need to go.

This campaign supports my American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Lights of Hope fundraising efforts and the work to make cancer research, prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship a priority for our elected leaders.

For more than two decades, ACS CAN has brought together cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and advocates to push for public policies that reduce the burden of cancer. Since 2001, that work has helped secure billions of dollars for cancer research and expand access to quality, affordable health care.

The mission behind this fundraiser comes down to two basic beliefs:

We should keep searching for the next breakthrough.

And when that breakthrough comes, people should be able to access it.

Cancer research funding helps scientists make discoveries that lead to better ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat cancer. ACS CAN advocates for sustained federal funding for cancer research, including funding that supports the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute.

Research can give us new treatments and new hope.

But a breakthrough does little good for a patient who cannot afford care, cannot find a provider nearby, lacks adequate insurance coverage, cannot take time away from work, or lives hours from the treatment or clinical trial they need.

That is why ACS CAN also fights to break down barriers to health care.

ACS CAN advocates for policies that help people access comprehensive and affordable health coverage, cancer screenings, medications, treatment, and other services they need throughout their cancer experience.

The need is clear.

A 2026 ACS CAN survey found that 53% of cancer patients and survivors living in rural communities reported difficulty affording their cancer care. Nearly one in four said they had skipped or delayed recommended medical care because of cost.

Where you live and what you earn should not determine whether you have a chance to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

That principle is especially important here in Florida, where ACS CAN advocates for increased cancer research funding and policies that expand access to quality, affordable health care.

This shirt was inspired by a life that showed what can happen when someone uses their success to open doors for others.

Books were placed in the hands of children.

Resources were invested back into communities.

People were reminded that where you come from does not have to determine where you can go.

That same spirit drives this campaign.

We can invest in discovery.

We can open doors to care.

We can stand with families facing cancer.

And we can use our voices to make sure lawmakers understand that cancer research and access to health care are not competing priorities. We need both.

Every shirt purchased helps support ACS CAN?s advocacy work through Lights of Hope.

Wear it for someone in treatment.

Wear it for a survivor.

Wear it for someone you have lost.

Wear it because the next research breakthrough matters.

Wear it because everyone deserves the opportunity to benefit from that breakthrough.

Together, we can light the way toward better research, fewer barriers, and more hope.