Our Vision

The American Cancer Society’s Mission is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. In 2025, the American Cancer Society Houston Area raised nearly $7 million through local events, individual giving, and corporate initiatives, but the American Cancer Society is currently investing more than $20.7 million back into the Houston community through the following initiatives:

$18.33 MILLION currently invested in innovative, Houston-based cancer research (32 grants at 6 institutions as of 2/5/2026)
$2.06 MILLION annual investment in operating funds for the Houston Hope Lodge to provide a home away from home for those traveling to Houston for lifesaving cancer treatment
$145,000 in Local Prevention and Early Detection Grants to help address health disparities with cancer screenings, HPV vaccinations, and access to quality care
$130,000 invested community transportation grants providing rides to lifesaving treatment
$80,000 in patient lodging grants in Houston (in addition to our Hope Lodge facility)

The American Cancer Society is the largest funder of cancer research, second only to the federal government, and has invested more than $5 billion since 1946 and played a role in nearly every major cancer breakthrough in history. ACS is also honored to have given funding to 53 investigators who went on to win the Nobel Prize, the highest accolade any scientist can receive, which is a tribute to the Society’s research program and strength of its peer-review process.

Current American Cancer Society Funded Researchers in Houston

AVRITSCHER, RONY, M.D.
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
BADR, HODA, POST-DOCTORAL
Baylor College Of Medicine
BARBIERI, EVELINE, PH.D.
Baylor College Of Medicine
BAST, ROBERT
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
DEBEB, BISRAT, PH.D.
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
ECHEVERRIA, GLORIA, PH.D.
Baylor College Of Medicine
GAO, YANG, PH.D.
William Marsh Rice University
HE, BIN
The Methodist Hospital Research Institute
JEWELL, BRITTANY, PH.D
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
JIANG, WEN, M.D.
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
KAVURI, SHYAM, M.SC.
Baylor College Of Medicine
KOMMAGANI, RAMAKRISHNA
Baylor College Of Medicine
LINK, RICHARD, M.D.
Baylor College Of Medicine
LIVINGSTON, JOHN, M.S.
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
LOWENSTEIN, LISA
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
LU, QIAN
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
MA, LI, PH.D.
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

MAMA, SCHEREZADE, DRPH
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
MCNEILL, LORNA, PH.D., MPH
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
MODIS, KATALIN, PHARMD, PH.D.
The University Of Texas Medical Branch At Galveston
MURPHY, CAITLIN, PH.D.
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
PARIHAR, ROBIN, M.D.
Baylor College Of Medicine
PEDROZA, DIEGO, PH.D.
Baylor College Of Medicine
PENG, WEIYI, PH.D.
University Of Houston
PRINSLOO, SARAH, PH.D.
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
RAI, KUNAL, PH.D.
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
RAUH-HAIN, JOSE ALEJANDRO
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
ROARTY, KEVIN, PH.D.
Baylor College Of Medicine
SANDULACHE, VLAD, M.D. ,PH.D.
Baylor College Of Medicine
SOOD, ANIL, M.D.
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
YAO, WANTONG
University Of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
YOO, JI YOUNG, PH.D.
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston