The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) supports its diverse community of multidisciplinary professionals through education and advocacy efforts that identify practical solutions for the complex changes and challenges involved in the delivery of quality cancer care.
Board members play a critical role in shaping the future of oncology care delivery, ensuring that the Association remains responsive to the real-world needs of our members and the patients we serve.
At the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting, the Louisiana Oncology Society received the ASCO Jeffrey C Ward Affiliate Advocacy Award for advancing critical advocacy priorities that have translated into meaningful legislative victories. The Iowa Oncology Society and Washington State Medical Oncology Society were also recognized for their advocacy efforts in 2025 at the meeting, receiving second place awards.
Nationally, approximately 1 in 5 patients who qualify for CAR T-cell therapy never receive it due to geographic distance, travel burden, or limited availability at specialized inpatient centers. Recognizing a critical need in its community, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, launched the region’s first fully outpatient CAR T-cell therapy program for select blood cancers, fundamentally redefining how advanced cellular therapies can be delivered safely outside of a hospital setting and earning the program a 2026 ACCC Innovator Award.
To better reach its patients living in rural communities throughout Georgia with targeted interventions, 2026 ACCC Innovator Award winner Winship Cancer Institute developed an Embedded Community Staff model, which leverages the experiential knowledge of local community members.
2026 ACCC Innovator Award Winner UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center noticed a common pain point among patients who received oncolytic virus treatment for advanced melanoma: time spent in appointments. To minimize the need for multiple lengthy appointments, the center developed a pharmacist-led strategy that utilized virtual visits and premixing doses prior to in-person visits.
