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<h1>American Cancer Fund (ACF)®</h1>
The American Cancer Fund should be your first stop for Cancer information. While numerous organizations provide information on cancer, the American Cancer Fund’s <em><strong>vital difference</strong></em> is our ability to provide you with reliable resources and streamline the process to quickly educate and empower you to cope with cancer, however it affects you. ACF is also part of ACES, another great Cancer Information and healthy living resource. ACES/ACF is a proud member of both the Mercer and Middlesex County Chambers of Commerce, the Somerset County Business Partnership as well as the Hillsborough Economic Business Development Council. Documentation for ACES and ACF can be found at <a href="http://www2.guidestar.org/ReportNonProfit.aspx?ein=20-3232112&amp;Mode=Gx&amp;lid=100776176&amp;dl=True">Guidestar</a>, the federal registry for charities. They have awarded ACES/ACF their highest award,the Exchange Seal and Partners in Trust.

The <strong>American Cancer Fund®</strong> has been operating continuously since the mid 1970's. They have worked tirelessly to provide assistance to Cancer patients. The organization was started by transplanted New Yorkers when they moved to Florida and realized that many retirees did not have the funds they needed to pay for serious medical care like Cancer. The founders enlisted family and friends and started chapters (from 1974 – 1976) in Florida, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, California and Arizona. The original goal was to provide some amount of funding and resources to anyone struggling with the big ‘C’. They started their efforts by working with churches and synagogues (of the founders) to find donors so that they could evaluate and really help those in need. The founders reached out to everyone they knew in the garment and plumbing industries as well as lawyers and accountants and asked for donations from every personal connection they made. This model lasted until the 1990's when most of the original founders passed on leaving a legacy of service to the next generation.

Most of the patients that received assistance were identified by ‘word of mouth’ (there was no internet in those days and NO twitter), and were assessed by the volunteers from ‘chapters’ that were in cities where the founders had a family or business connection.

As the original volunteers passed away, the assistance became more centralized. It wasn’t until the late 1990's when the next generation decided to restructure and re-evaluate the mission and goals that the current mission was established. American Cancer Fund and American Cancer Educational Services joined forces and refiled as a charity in 2005.
<h2>American Cancer Educational Services (ACES)™</h2>
is a grass roots organization of individuals with family and friends touched by Cancer as well as Cancer survivors. We know that good, simple information is available but hard to find and understand. ACES is a tax-exempt, non profit, 501(C)3 corporation and depends on your support through contributions and various fund raising activities.

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