at the National Home Office, and has been working at the American Cancer Society since 2000.

Cancer is a taker. It can take away loved ones, limbs, money, hair, and other things that make us who we are. But I learned when I lost my mother, now more than 20 years ago, that cancer can also be a giver. It can give you courage, strength, friends. And I learned over the past few weeks that with enough support, cancer can propel you to the top of a mountain.

Just a few weeks ago I was honored to be a member of an expedition to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, which was comprised of cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers, and led by longtime ACS volunteer Dr. Richard Deming. Having seen first-hand the experience of cancer patients while in treatment – whether during hospital stays or living with the sometimes relentless side effects of chemotherapy, surgery or radiation – I am in no position to compare the nine-day journey to the arduous task of responding to a cancer diagnosis. Yet, I cannot help but think that the depth of strength it took for some of my fellow climbers to dig in for another step was made possible by the test they had already been through.

As one of the survivors put it as we made our way to the top of Kilimanjaro, “I’m not a ‘survivor.’ That’s too passive. I’m a conqueror!”

I’ve been back in the warmth of my home, family life, and work life for a week since the Kilimanjaro trek. It was easy to fall back into the rhythm of daily life where I take for granted the ability to take a shower, change clothing, find fresh fruits and vegetables, and have access to safe drinking water. But lingering from the trip is the indelible impression of trust and caring and the kind of ‘survivorship’ that is manifested when we are far away from our established routines and creature comforts.

Just as each person in the group found the strength and encouragement to take a trip across the globe and climb the highest peak in Africa, every one of us was once where so many American Cancer Society volunteers and constituents are today: facing a daunting disease or anticipating difficult side effects from treatment, or caring for a loved one in those circumstances, and needing strength from wherever they can find it.

Not every person whose life is interrupted by cancer will ultimately climb a mountain, but it’s a comfort to me to know that so many will have the chance to try.

Seventeen cancer survivors and 20 caregivers reached the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point on the African continent, late in the afternoon on January 10^th.  We had spent the previous ten hours ascending the steep mountain face with coughs, headaches, intestinal disorders and enough courage to fill up the dormant volcanic crater that would be our home for the night. Our expedition chose a non-traditional route up. Most groups ascend the face of Kilimanjaro at night in order to reach the summit at dawn and then, after a brief celebration at the top, descend quickly to a safer (lower) altitude. We wanted to spend the night at the top of the mountain. We knew this would give us the mountaintop to ourselves for 12 hours of magnificent beauty and afford us the opportunity to conduct the world’s highest Relay for Life.

The fastest of our group reached Stella Point (19,000 feet) by mid-afternoon, and then descended a few hundred feet into the large base of the crater to prepare the campsite and the Relay track. They arranged the luminaria to spell out HOPE in the snow near our tents which were located at the base of a huge wall of ice, the leading edge of the glacier that calls Mount Kilimanjaro its home. 

I have travelled all over the world.  I had seen pictures of Mount Kilimanjaro in preparation for this trip. I was not prepared for the stunning beauty that presented itself to us.  The peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro are actually the high points on the rim of the crater.  They ringed our campsite, along with sheer glacier walls and deep blue skies. The sun and blue skies quickly transformed into a cloudless night filled with the stars of the southern hemisphere. The full moon rose over the rim of the crater and illuminated our campsite.

Our team had been awaiting this moment for weeks. We did not climb the mountain for mere bragging rights. We were here to demonstrate to the world that cancer does not have to limit one’s life, to celebrate survivors, remember those who had died, and motivate everyone to fight back against this disease. And so we began our Relay for Life.

As the sun set, we lit luminaria in honor of those who had died of cancer and in honor of those surviving the disease. We paid tribute to all the family, friends and patients who had shown courage, grace, grit, and determination in their fight. We circled HOPE as the stars came out.  We then huddled in our tents on top of Africa and struggled to find warm and sleep at 19,000 feet.

The sky began to brighten at 6:30 am, the sun finally showing its face above the rim of the crater at 7 am. The sun brought light and warmth and courage to all of us. We had brought 800 prayer flags with us, decorated with images and phrases commemorating the lives of individuals who had died of cancer or survivors who couldn’t make the journey, but wanted to be with us in spirit. We strung the prayer flags onto strands of rope and created two arcs from the top of the glacier wall over the word HOPE. I spotted the face of my mom on one of the flags as it danced in the breeze. She died of lung cancer when I was in medical school. I saw the faces of Chris, Marjean, Jill, Suzanne, and countless other patients of mine who had inspired me. I also saw the names and faces of patients of mine who were still fighting. Every one of us gazed knowingly at the flags.

The Relay began with a survivor lap. Now, in addition to cancer, these 17 remarkable people had survived a grueling climb to the top of Africa’s highest mountain. The next lap was for the caregivers. We all walked in their honor, including our African porters and guides, who had been caregivers to all of us during the trip. We then paid tribute to those who were no longer with us. The faces of family members, patients and friends looked down on us from the prayer flags fluttering in the wind above us. We silently circled our track and reflected on how our lives had been enriched by the intersection of theirs with ours. Finally, we vowed to fight back. We and those we inspired with our climb will do everything we can to reduce the burden of cancer and create a world with more birthdays.

As we completed the final lap of our Relay, we came together in a huddle beside HOPE.  The cancer survivors included men and women ages 29 to 71. They were here, not in spite of their cancer, but because of their cancer. They were here because of the courage and confidence they gained during their cancer journey. They showed us once again what they are made of. Father Frank, a Catholic priest and cancer survivor, said a spontaneous prayer of thanksgiving, remembrance and celebration from the midst of that huddle. Then, the song, “Amazing Grace” suddenly sprang forth from the huddle and filled the sky with music fit for a cathedral. None of us wanted the moment to end. We embraced with a kind of companionship and camaraderie and respect that is hard to describe.

It was time to leave. We packed up the flags and luminaria, broke down our campsite, and headed back up the rim of the volcano. We ascended to the highest of the 3 peaks, arriving at noon. We had the summit to ourselves. The skies were clear and we could see forever. We were sure, from where we stood, that we could see a future with many more birthdays.

It’s 1 a.m. and I am wide-awake.  I am laying in my sleeping bag in a tent in the rainforest jungle of Tanzania writing in my journal by the light of my headlamp.  I pretend to be Ernest Hemingway writing “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”, sans the whiskey.  The jungle is alive with sounds: monkeys, birds, babbling stream, and snoring tent mates.  We are on the mountain and we are headed UP.  It is the first night in tents and I can hear, amidst the snores, sounds of other restless campers as zippers unzip and folks wander out to find the “restroom”.  It will take a while for us to get used to the rhythm of camping on the slopes of this African mountain. 

Cindy, a 43-year-old breast cancer survivor and mother of three provided a moving reflection for us before dinner last night.  We were all assembled in the “mess tent” for dinner.  Included in our group was her husband, Jim.  She told us of the near meltdown that she suffered the previous night.  She was missing her children and she wasn’t sure she even wanted to begin climbing this damn mountain.  She then reflected on the reason that she had decided to join this journey in the first place.  She isn’t here to prove to herself that she is a mountain climber.  She said that she is here for “Them”.  She went on to explain who the “Them” are in her life.  Her children, first and foremost, are her inspiration.  She wants them to know that her cancer diagnosis does not define or limit their mother. “Them” also includes her own mother who is surviving stage 4 ovarian cancer.  “Them” includes Jim’s father who lost his life to cancer.  “Them” includes all of those whose lives have been cut unnecessarily short by this disease.  She vowed to climb for those who can’t climb and we vowed to support her every step.  Tears fell and hugs were exchanged.  Bring on that mountain!

Journeys into nature and, in particular, journeys up to the tops of mountains, invoke an awakening to spirituality.  In the faces and cultures of Africa we are becoming aware that many people in the world do things differently and have beliefs that are different from our own.  This journey has the potential teach us to see that manifestations of the divine may come to us in ways, shapes, and forms unlike those we have previously witnessed.

We also bring an interfaith spirituality to this journey. Father Frank is a 71-year-old Catholic priest and prostate cancer survivor. He is one of the 18 survivors with us tonight.  His niece, Annie, is a thyroid cancer survivor, a nurse and an Army officer.  She is accompanying her Uncle Frank on this quest.  Tomorrow morning Father Frank will celebrate Mass with us in an interfaith service that will welcomingly include our porters and guides, some of whom are Muslim.  

Beverly is a 59-year-old breast cancer survivor.  She is Jewish.  This week she will honor and celebrate the anniversary of her father’s death in the Jewish tradition of yahrzeit.  She shared with us the meaning and the rituals of that ceremony.  She will say a prayer as she lights a candle at sundown on the evening before the anniversary of her father’s death.  The candle will burn for 24 hours.  We are not quite sure how we will do it, but our group is committed to making it happened.  I’m sure that as we help her commemorate the anniversary of her father’s death, we will also reflect back on the lives of parents that we, too, have lost.  I think again of my mom and dad, each having lost their lives at age 52.  We all find meaning and comfort in sharing spiritual traditions with others.

The manifestations of religious traditions that we will celebrate together beneath the African sky will bind us together in ways similar to the bond that cancer has brought to our group.  The often unspoken possibility of death’s nearness not only inspires us to live each day to the fullest, it also leads us to seek wisdom and encourages us to look for the presence of the divine in the world around us.  As St. Thomas of Aquinas reminds us, we can see the footprints of God in the wonders of nature.

Tomorrow our climb gets steep and we pursue higher ground.  Tonight, I lay back down on a pillow of prayer flags that support my head and fill my dreams with memories of departed patients and family members who are making this journey with me in spirit to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

We’ve enjoyed our first few days here on the continent of Africa. The sights, sounds and smells and magic of this place simultaneously startled and soothed our senses. Cancer has taught all of us that life does not always conform to a predetermined schedule or itinerary. Seven of the forty members of our group spent an unexpected 10 hour layover in Amsterdam due to flight delays. One cancer survivors has been subject to two cancelled flights and is still making his way across the globe to join us. We know that these unscheduled interruptions in our itinerary are not truly interruptions in life but are actually part of life and amazing encounters that never would have happened are now part of our group’s collective memory.

As we assembled to begin our first meal together in Africa, we shared a blessing. We thanked all those forces, both human and divine, that brought us together. We thanked all those loved ones, family, friends and caregivers, that made the day possible, and we prayed for those back home who are praying for us. We acknowledged the irony that we would not be here in Africa preparing to climb the continent’s highest peak if it wasn’t for life’s interruption that we call cancer.

I shared with our group a blessing from John O’Donohugh’s book To Bless the Space Between Us. The blessing was entitled, “for a new beginning.” The final stanza reads:

Awaken your spirit to adventure;

Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in rest;

Soon you will be back in a new rhythm,

For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

We are all excited and ready for our new beginning. We look forward to all the interruptions that Africa has to share with us. We welcome the transformation that these life interruptions will bring us as we journey together in Africa.

-   Terry Music, chief mission delivery officer, American Cancer Society ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As a cancer doctor, I am inspired each and every day by the grace, grit and compassion of my patients.  During the next two weeks, I am taking time away from the hospital to embark on a journey that I hope will transform and inspire me.  I arrived yesterday in Tanzania with 18 cancer survivors to begin a journey to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.  I am with seven men and 11 women, ages 29 to 73, who are survivors of breast cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, salivary gland cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia.  Some have been survivors for over a decade; some are still actively undergoing cancer treatment.  The survivors come from every walk of life and include a priest, viola player, army officer, cage fighter, and an insurance executive.  We have trained together as a team and we are ready to learn what Africa and the mountain have to teach us.

Climbing a mountain is a metaphor that many cancer survivors use to describe their cancer experience. Only cancer survivors, themselves, can articulate the overwhelming sense of accomplishment they feel when they succeed in reaching the “summit” of their cancer journey. But what every survivor will tell you is that during the ascent, his or her perspective on life is forever changed.

Through the adversity along the way, survivors have to apply personal strengths, often illusive before their trek. On the other hand, they’ve also had to acquire an appreciation for the talents of others, those who are there for their support. At the end of the journey, they are transformed. In straightforward terms: adversity often leads to personal growth.  

Most cancer survivors come through their cancer journey with a better sense of who they are, what their priorities should be, and gratitude for having been given a second chance at life. Most come through their experience with a greater appreciation for their fellow human beings, with an enhanced sense of gratitude and generosity.  They feel more connected to the world.

This experience resonates with climbers and explorers as well. The journey is difficult, but when one succeeds, there is a rush of excitement and that same sense of accomplishment.  And both journeys ultimately become less about getting to the top, and more about the self-knowledge and wisdom one learns along the way. When all is said and done, when the backpacks and hiking boots put away, life goes forward, with a dramatically altered perspective. Priorities are re-ordered. Life is a gift and not a single minute should be “un-lived”.

In April of last year, I led 14 cancer survivors to the Mount Everest Base Camp.  It was an incredible journey of inspiration, motivation, and self-discovery not just for the survivors, but for all of us who travelled with them.  I had been to Everest in 2000 on a climbing trip with a group of other mountaineers.  I knew from that experience that a trip into the Himalayan Mountains could be transformative.  That trip for me was all about going further, farther, and higher, yet, along the way I was rewarded by moments of spiritual clarity and a sense of compassion that developed from my relationship with the Sherpa guides and with nature.  It was a trip that fulfilled my dreams.  My journey to Nepal earlier this year with the cancer survivors was about giving birth to dreams.  Even with 30 years of experience caring for cancer patients, I was not prepared for how meaningful and inspirational the Everest journey was going to be. 

On our journey to Everest Base Camp, we experienced some physical hardships along the way.  The adversity we encountered led us to new heights of personal growth.  We met people who lived simple mountain lives.  We learned their culture and their religion.  We felt gratitude for their hospitality and we learned that we are all connected to each other on this earth.  We gained an appreciation for the magnificent beauty of our planet as we travelled into the mountains. We explored our relationship with our environment and we developed humility and gratitude for its splendor.

The adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro will mirror and reinforce the journey already completed by cancer survivors. Laughter and tears along the way will deepen our understanding of how adversity can enhance our lives and the lives of those around us forever.  We will return home with an even greater appreciation for life, our planet, and our fellow human beings.  Our gratitude and generosity will help change the world we live in for the better.  I look forward to sharing our journey with you over the next two weeks.

Last week the U.S. Senate passed a resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of the National Cancer Act, the law that launched what came to be known as the “war on cancer.” The resolution celebrates the success we’ve seen in the ensuing decades, and while we haven’t yet achieved the “conquest of cancer” that President Nixon hoped for when he signed the law in 1971, there has indeed been much to celebrate. I want to mark this occasion by pointing out some of the most critical accomplishments the National Cancer Act has made possible, and laying out a plan that I believe can accelerate the progress.

First, the good news, and there is plenty of it:

• People with cancer stand a far better chance of surviving the disease today than they did in 1971.
• The five-year survival rate for all cancers has increased by more than 33 percent since the mid-1970s.
• There are more than 12 million cancer survivors in America today.
• Cancer death rates started dropping in the early 1990s and have continued to decline every year since.
• Nearly 900,000 lives – 350 per day – have been saved that would have otherwise been lost to cancer.
• The US government is the largest funder of cancer research in the world.

Despite all this, cancer remains one of our most dire public health burdens, taking some 1,500 lives each day. With half of men and one-third of women projected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, we simply must prevail against the disease.

Last week the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released a statement and a blog post asking elected officials to celebrate this anniversary by making cancer a national priority again.  If we can recapture the enthusiasm of 1971 and renew our national commitment to the goals set forth in the National Cancer Act, I believe a three-pronged effort focusing on research, prevention, and access to care will be the way to maximize our success. In short, we must fund new discoveries and help them move from the lab to the doctor’s office, educate people on proven ways to reduce their risk of cancer, and ensure that cancer screening and treatment are available to everybody.

Forty years into this war on cancer, we have much to be proud of, but much work ahead.

Having spent the past week with global leaders in the cancer fight, I am both particularly excited going into this holiday week about the new opportunities we have to fight cancer worldwide – and so very thankful for the millions of people who are helping us do just that.

Attending the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit in Dublin, Ireland, this week I had the chance to hear about the lifesaving interventions that are doing much to combat the growing global cancer problem. And together with these leaders, I looked ahead to the future of the cancer fight – at how we will save even more lives going forward.

This week, I am thankful for the many people who are and will be an integral part of that work.

Across America and around the world, more than three million American Cancer Society volunteers every day make our lifesaving mission happen. Plain and simple. Without their dedication – whether they’re behind the scenes at a Relay For Life^® event, working for smoke-free legislation in their community, or simply stuffing envelopes – the American Cancer Society wouldn’t be the organization it is today.

If you’re not already a Society volunteer, I encourage you get involved. There has never been a time of greater need – or opportunity – in this fight. With just a small amount of your time, you can make such a difference for people facing cancer – whether they live down the street or around the world.

If you have some flexibility in your schedule … Consider volunteering to drive a patient to and from treatment. For many patients, finding a ride is the most challenging barrier to getting well.

• If you just have a few minutes here and there … Consider volunteering with your local Society office, or fight back with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network^SM, the Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate.
• And if you’re looking to host a different sort of holiday party … Consider bringing guests together to volunteer at one of the 31 American Cancer Society Hope Lodge^® locations across the country, where people who must travel for treatment find a free “home away from home.”

As W.J. Cameron said, “Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.” Cancer is a relentless enemy. Yet as the largest voluntary health organization in the world, the American Cancer Society marshals more grassroots volunteer forces than any other group to fight this disease – and together we are just as relentless. That is something to be thankful for indeed.

Visit cancer.org/volunteer or call 1-800-227-2345 to learn more about volunteer opportunities with the American Cancer Society.

 As the new President of the American Cancer Society, I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to advance the Society’s incredible accomplishments of the last 98 years. Compared to 20 years ago, there are 350 more people each day in the U.S. who now celebrate a birthday due to the progress made against cancer. We know that with greater and more widespread availability and utilization of scientifically proven tests, treatments and programs, we could increase that number to 1,000 a day, and this will be our most important objective in the coming years.

As a breast cancer physician, my first experience with the ACS was as a leader in the Texas Breast Cancer Screening Project in 1984. At that time, screening mammography was not covered by insurance, and screening rates were low. A coupon from the ACS allowed women in Texas to obtain a screening mammogram for $50. During the next two years, more than 100,000 women took advantage of this program. As a result, early cancers were detected and lives were saved. Legislation was passed providing screening insurance coverage. Because of its quality assurance aspect, the project was the forerunner of the American College of Radiology’s Mammography Accreditation Program. It was an amazing experience to witness the impact the ACS could have, and I became “hooked “as a volunteer for life.

Years ago, while undergoing an evaluation for another health problem, a mass was incidentally found on my left kidney.  One of my radiologist partners told me it was cancer, and I could not believe what I heard. The devastating news was correct, and I underwent extensive surgery. It was an incredible experience to personally understand what cancer patients go through, and that experience changed my life. My belief is there is no time to waste, and the time to act is now. Today I am a very happy 15-year survivor who sincerely appreciates each day and the promise of more birthdays. 

Although tremendous progress has been made, cancer is projected to be the number one worldwide cause of death in the 21^st century. We know that cancer deaths to a large extent are preventable using measures such as tobacco control, screening, vaccinations for hepatitis B and human papilloma virus (HPV), healthy diet, increased physical activity, and moderation in alcohol use. The scientific evidence is clear, and we must act now to eliminate this disease that causes so much pain and suffering in the lives of so many. I look forward to working with my volunteer and staff colleagues to reach our objectives of more lives saved and more birthdays celebrated.

I am honored to assume the role of Chair of the National Board of the American Cancer Society. I have the opportunity to lead this organization, along with President Phil Evans, M.D. and CEO John Seffrin, Ph.D.

I am humbled to think that I am among three million volunteers for the American Cancer Society. When I started my journey with ACS more than 24 years ago, I knew little about cancer, but the mission of the Society was something I could support. My parents had already instilled in me the principle of community involvement. Little did I know that over the years, cancer would have such a huge impact on my family. Just as my mother was recovering from her second mastectomy, she became the primary caregiver for my dad after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Both of my parents eventually died of cancer, and of my mother’s eight brothers and sisters, five were diagnosed with cancer. I know the impact this disease can have on a family.

As I assume this position, I reflect on the years of service I have already dedicated at the regional, state and national levels, coupled with my 36 successful years within the public school system as an educator, teacher, principal, administrator and superintendent.  I am grateful to have another leadership opportunity continuing a mission that is so important to me.

During the year I hope to engage our volunteers in new and interesting ways, building an organization-wide process to strengthen the recruitment, retention and development of volunteers.  I believe an important aspect is to increase our focus on the involvement of youth as leaders within the organization, so that we can harness their passion and energy to celebrate more birthdays.

This year will bring the establishment of enhanced relationships between staff and volunteers throughout the organization, across geographic boundaries and functions, and the key to this is good communication.  I am hoping we can build upon and replicate if possible the communication strategy initiated by the Society’s leadership.  Dr. Seffrin has previously stated that community presence is a nonnegotiable.  It is my hope, too, that we will strengthen our relationship, particularly, with diverse communities as we address the impact of cancer and do what we do best, help people stay well, get well, find cures and fight back.

There is an Ethiopian proverb that states “when spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.” I believe that we are building the spider webs, and as long as staff and volunteers continue to work together, we will tie up the lion and achieve our mission, the elimination of cancer.

As we do every October, this weekend my wife Carole and I will participate in our local American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. We will be taking our place among some 14,000 people at the event and 800,000 walking nationwide to do our part to make further progress in breast cancer research, early detection, and treatment. The Society launched Making Strides Against Breast cancer in 1993, and every October takes us closer to a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays.

Over the years the Making Strides program has helped raise more than $400 million to fight breast cancer, enabling the American Cancer Society to play a role in nearly every major breakthrough against the disease in that time. The results have been remarkable. There are now more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, and if it is found early, the survival rate is an astonishing 99 percent!

These figures are not just academic. They represent real life stories, including my own. Carole was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, and thanks to catching her disease at the earliest, most treatable stage, she made a full recovery, and continues to lead a healthy and happy life. A generation ago, before Making Strides, her prognosis would not have been nearly as good.

Thanks to the dedication and passion of our millions of volunteers, we know more about the incredible advantage of catching breast cancer as early as possible, and how best to teach women and medical professionals to do that. We also are better equipped to educate women about lifestyle changes they can make that reduce the risk of getting breast cancer, and we’ve got better and more treatment options to help give women their best chance at the same full recovery Carole has been fortunate to experience.

When I walk this weekend, I’m not only walking as the chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, I’m walking as someone who has been lucky to benefit from all that Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has made possible. If you participate in your local Making Strides event or support others who do, I want to offer you my sincere thanks and appreciation for all you do to help save lives. If you would like to learn more about how to get involved, please visit http://makingstrides.acsevents.org.