KENTUCKY — According to the American Association for Cancer Research, recent data has shown that over 40% of all cancers diagnosed and nearly half of all deaths from cancer in the United States can be attributed to preventable causes—things like smoking, excess body weight, physical inactivity, and excessive exposure to the sun.

Pam Pilgrim serves as Kentucky’s State Lead Ambassador for American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Kentucky (ACS CAN) and was an ACT Lead with ACS CAN for over a decade. Pam is also a 42-year melanoma cancer survivor and spends her time giving a voice to cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and their families, while also advocating to leaders in Kentucky’s legislature to make cancer a priority.

“I’m actually a cancer survivor. My husband was a cancer survivor, so I’m a caregiver. I started with real life live about 20 some years ago, but advocacy is my passion. So now I’m with the ACS CAN organization and we advocate on behalf of cancer patients. Those who are going to be diagnosed with cancer and caregivers, in Frankfort and in DC,” said Pilgrim.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) makes cancer a top priority for policymakers at every level of government. ACS CAN empowers volunteers across the country to make their voices heard to influence evidence-based public policy change that improves the lives of people with cancer and their families.

You can watch the full In Focus Kentucky segment in the player above.