An Active Voice

As statewide president of the American Cancer Society. Christy Russell is a tireless leader for Californians seeking a cure for cancer.

by Monika Guttman


As if being co-director of the Harold E. and Henrietta C. Lee Breast Center at the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital doesn’t keep her busy enough, Christy Russell, M.D., has been spending a lot of time lately as a political activist.


That is because Russell, an associate professor of medicine in the oncology division at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, is in the middle of what is basically a three-year post as president of the California division of the American Cancer Society (ACS).


Through October this year, she serves as acting president. Because of the state budget crisis, she says, cancer prevention and screening programs face massive cuts, as do funds to further cancer research.


So in her role as state president of ACS, Russell has spent considerable time working with other legislative advocates who, along with her, have logged a lot of miles and spent an extensive amount of time meeting with legislators, the governor and others to “make sure they understand that when you cut cancer programs now, especially for the indigent, the state will end up paying a lot more money for much more expensive treatments later on.”
Russell has also made it a point of her presidency to advocate for incorporating clinical trial issues into ACS activities. “When we do a big fundraising event, I’m trying to incorporate the big cancer prevention trials into that venue, to get people in the community thinking about cancer prevention studies.” People who turn out for cancer fundraising events have often been touched by cancer in their own lives, and “I want them to know clinical trials don’t always mean you have to have cancer. There are many clinical trials about preventing cancers like breast cancer and prostate cancer.”


In October, Russell will switch to her post-presidency year. “The year is fairly defined in terms of specific statewide committees you run, activities you oversee,” she says. “What’s extraordinary about this whole process is that you meet thousands of people who are willing to help in any way they can to find a cure for cancer. It reaffirms that what we do here at USC, whether in the laboratory or the clinic, means a tremendous amount to many individuals.”