Los Angeles resident to provide leadership and guidance to nation’s leading cancer advocacy organization
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) announces three new members and the newly-elected leadership officers to the Board of Directors, including David Ford.
A resident of Los Angeles for over 27 years, Ford has been named to the Board of Directors of ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate for the American Cancer Society (ACS). As a member of the Board, Ford will provide leadership and guidance for ACS CAN, which pursues evidence-based public policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem nationwide. His term begins on Jan. 1, 2022.
“ACS CAN is exceedingly fortunate to have a volunteer leader as dedicated and distinguished as David serving on our Board of Directors this year,” said ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse. “He has a strong commitment to our mission and is outspoken in his championing of our critical efforts to advance public policies that will help us eliminate death and suffering from cancer.”
A dedicated cancer advocate, Ford has served in the American Cancer Society’s Board of Directors for the Los Angeles area and has championed local and national efforts to advance health equity. As an ACS volunteer, he recently partnered with L.A. Care Health Plan to promote regular cancer screenings, especially among communities of color.
“As a cancer survivor and advocate, I’m committed to ACS and ACS CAN’s shared mission to end cancer as we know it,” said Ford. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve the cancer community in this new role, harnessing my story and entrepreneurial skills to help influence public policies aimed at eliminating disparities in cancer and health outcomes.”
Ford is a seasoned Government Relations Manager at Southern California Edison, managing relationships with government municipalities and promoting awareness of a clean energy future. He serves on several strategic and philanthropic boards including with the American Cancer Society West Region Los Angeles, Los Angeles Philharmonic, American Association of Blacks in Energy and Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber Educational Foundation. As an ACS CAN California volunteer advocate, Ford has experience sharing his personal cancer story with stakeholders to highlight the complex issues many patients and survivors experience and how policymakers can take action to address them. Additionally, he received a national award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2002 for his work in energy efficiency. In 2007, he received a Corporate Award from the NAACP and in 2009, he received the Edison International Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Performance and Living SCE’s Values and Guiding Behaviors.
Other recent awards include:
- Networkers BRG Excellence Award, 2020
- Stratiscope, Impact-Maker Award, 2020
- Bridge Builders Foundation, Salute Award, 2017
- SCE Networkers William E. Nesbit Jr. Leadership Award, 2016
- Los Angeles Southwest College President’s Social Impact Investment Award, 2014
