The American Cancer Society was founded in 1913, with the principled mission of improving the overall lives of the people facing cancer and for their respective families.
The ACS provides a myriad of 24/7/365 support to patients and their caregivers through their helpline along with operating their renowned Hope Lodge communities that provide a complimentary home away from home to those who must travel for their cancer treatment as well as complimentary rides to treatment. The ACS also operates an online community for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers through its Survivors Network, along with promising lobbying efforts through its Cancer Action Network to advocate for legislation and policy change.
As a passionate philanthropist committed to health and wellness, I founded the ACS's Accountants United to End Cancer Council this year as a nationwide platform to unite the accounting profession as one to end cancer. There are approximately 87,000 accounting firms throughout the United States, so the year-over-year scalability to raise both awareness and secure critical funding for the ACS to carry out its mission is promising. An accounting firm member can become an esteemed fellow of the council if it agrees to fundraise for our mission, which can include:
- Organizing accounting firms' fundraisers in unison with the ACS's notable fundraisers, including but not limited to Relay for Life events and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks;
- Organizing accounting firms' fundraisers monthly throughout the year to support cancer awareness month by the specific type of cancer for that designated month;
- Fundraising within accounting firms' existing stewardship programs;
- Fundraising within accounting firms' planned giving programs;
- Fundraising within accounting firms' private charitable foundations;
- In-kind donation planning;
- Contributing gifts in honor or memory of a loved one; and/or
- Planned giving with an estate gift from accounting firm's partners, employees and/or their clients.
The council's inaugural in-person meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 12:00 p.m. EST through 1:30 p.m. EST at Sax's New York City offices, Empire Boardroom at 1040 Avenue of the Americas to discuss the council's 2026 goal setting and objectives. Additionally, this council meeting will discuss the planned 2026 Town Hall Council meetings at the ACS's NYC Hope Lodge located at 132 West 32nd Street and planned galas, balls and more themed fundraising events. Please register in advance as seating is limited at
I highly encourage members of accounting firms of all sizes across the country who have an interest in fighting cancer to explore their involvement in this council and schedule a complimentary discovery call by contacting me, Peter J. Scalise, Sax LLP's national partner-in-charge of the federal tax credits and incentives practice and the founding chair of the council, at
To make a year-end tax deductible donation, please visit
