A group of Ball State supporters were the first public group to see a presentation about the American Cancer Society and its efforts to move with the times.
John Seffrin, CEO of American Cancer Society and a 1966 Ball State alum, gave his keynote address "Being Relevant: Why the World's Largest Voluntary Health Organization is Undergoing Transformation" at the annual Philanthropy Advisory Council Thursday morning.
Seffrin said the point of the presentation was to show the chronicles of how and where the ACS uses its resources, and that right now is a defining moment in history for cancer and for the organization.
"The second point I'd like to make is that the future always involves change," he said. "...I want to make the point today that it's a daunting challenge..."
Seffrin listed other points such as strategy consists of making a choice and following through with that choice, big accomplishments are on the horizon but they will take a group effort, setting measurable and time sensitive goals is important and the importance of accountability.
He spoke about the evolution of how people can treat and react to cancer.
When he was a kid, a diagnosis of cancer was a death sentence, he said. Now, cures for cancer are becoming more relevant.
Seffrin said the ACS used to be about door-to-door local charities. Today it's about visual control enterprises and change agencies, and he thinks the future consists of global institutions leading movement through the 21st century.
The goal of the ACS, Seffrin said, is to "save 1,000 more lives per day," by redoubling current actions, promoting prevention even more and providing access to quality healthcare to all.
Seffrin ended his 45-minute presentation by saying what it will take for ACS to reach its goal: resources, policy change and collaborations and partnerships.
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