On Mother’s Day, VOICES of Black Women Study Honors the Stories That Shape Our Health for Generations to Come

On Mother’s Day, VOICES of Black Women Study Honors the Stories That Shape Our Health for Generations to Come

American Cancer Society Calls on Illinois Black Women to Join Nation’s Largest Study to End Cancer Disparities

Chicago, IL — May 6, 2025 — This Mother’s Day, the American Cancer Society is celebrating the power of Black women’s voices—mothers, daughters, and caregivers—by encouraging participation in a groundbreaking national research initiative: the VOICES of Black Women study. Designed to close the gap in cancer outcomes, this long-term study invites Black women between the ages of 25 and 55 to enroll and share their stories.

VOICES of Black Women is the largest behavioral and environmental population study of Black women in the U.S., with a goal to enroll 100,000 participants across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including more than 3,000 women from Illinois.

This is a lifestyle study, so they’ll complete short, secure online surveys over time, providing insights on their lived experiences—factors such as stress, community support, access to care, and more—that may influence cancer risk and overall health. Participants may be asked to engage in a sub-study, but it is optional for the enrollee.

"I'm supporting VOICES because I watched how cancer affected my mom, and I learned so much from her experience,” said Heaven Russell, VOICES Ambassador, of her mother, Christy Russell. ”I want to do my part in spreading the word of this awesome research because it's important, and we need to know this information for our future."

Despite tremendous advances in cancer research, Black women continue to face the highest death rates and shortest survival times for most cancers in the U.S. The American Cancer Society is working to change that by gathering data that better reflects the realities Black women face—and by partnering directly with the community to do it.

“I think it is beautiful that my mother, Janel Moreland, accepted the calling to be an Ambassador for the American Cancer Society VOICES Study,” said Jazmin Pruitt. “She shared this study with me and encouraged me to be a part of change for Black women throughout the United States. As a 30-year old participant in this study, I also think it is imperative to research why Black women have a lower incident rate but a higher mortality rate. If tracking me for the next 30 years is what it's going to take, I think that's a small service I can offer to my community and Black women across the US.”

Illinois ambassadors like Russell and Moreland are engaging women locally through churches, sororities, community centers, wellness events, and more to ensure the study reaches Black women of all backgrounds.

“Though VOICES of Black Women is a national study, it thrives in community,” said Karen Sharer, Associate Director, Cancer Center Partnerships, at the American Cancer Society. “Illinois VOICES Ambassadors are volunteers who are pillars and trusted voices in their communities, passionate about addressing health equity for Black women, and are essential in helping us spread the word on the importance of this study.”

The VOICES of Black Women study represents a historic opportunity to create a more equitable healthcare future. By participating, women are not only contributing to vital cancer research—they are helping build a legacy of better health for generations to come.

To learn more or enroll in the study, visit voices.cancer.org.

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