Ellen Stovall: One person can make a difference

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Spotlight article

From 1992 to 2008, Ellen Stovall was the president and CEO of NCCS, the oldest survivor-led organization advocating for quality cancer care for all Americans. This video, filmed and produced in 2008, features interviews from NCCS co-founders Dr. Patti Ganz and Dr. Fitzhugh Mullan, Dr. Julia Rowland, Dr. Zeke Emanuel, the late General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, and others. 

Ms. Stovall was a tireless leader of the cancer survivorship movement, having served as President and CEO of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) since 1992 and more recently as the organization’s Senior Health Policy Advisor. A 42-year cancer survivor herself, Ms. Stovall spent more than 30 years advocating for improved cancer care in the United States.


Quote of the week

Today we defy the politics that deliberately divide us; the politics that dare to put a price tag on cancer; on the millions of lives touched by this horrid disease. Today we say no…more…cancer!

Ellen Stovall, Sept. 26, 1998

Recent contributions


This column features the latest posts to the Cancer History Project by our growing list of contributors

The Cancer History Project is a free, web-based, collaborative resource intended to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act and designed to continue in perpetuity. The objective is to assemble a robust collection of historical documents and make them freely available. 

Access to the Cancer History Project is open to the public at CancerHistoryProject.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at @CancerHistProj.

Is your institution a contributor to the Cancer History Project? Eligible institutions include cancer centers, advocacy groups, professional societies, pharmaceutical companies, and key organizations in oncology. 

To apply to become a contributor, please contact admin@cancerhistoryproject.com.

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