ACR Foundation and Author Shira Boehler Launch Cancer Doesn't Care Fund

New initiative aims to expand cancer screening access and boost early detection nationwide

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:05pm

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A translucent X-ray image of a human lung, with a faint red outline highlighting the early stages of lung cancer, conveying the importance of early detection for improving treatment outcomes.A new fund aims to expand access to cancer screening and boost early detection, especially for those not covered by current guidelines.Washington Today

The American College of Radiology Foundation and the Cancer Doesn't Care initiative have launched the new Cancer Doesn't Care Fund to fuel efforts to expand screening access, boost early detection, and support research for individuals at high risk for cancer - including those not currently covered under existing guidelines.

Why it matters

Too many people are diagnosed with lung cancer at late stages when survival is limited, because current screening guidelines focus mainly on age and smoking history. This new fund aims to reach those who may not meet the criteria for screening but are still at risk, helping to detect cancers earlier when they are most treatable.

The details

The Cancer Doesn't Care Fund will spark pilot programs, community partnerships, technology development, and policy research. It will also promote efforts to ensure uninsured and underserved patients get screened earlier. Funds will come from private donors, foundations, industry partners, and grants, with all projects following research standards, quality safeguards, and independent oversight.

  • The Cancer Doesn't Care Fund was launched on April 14, 2026.

The players

ACR Foundation

The American College of Radiology Foundation, which is collaborating with the Cancer Doesn't Care initiative to launch this new fund.

Shira Boehler

A lung cancer survivor, author of "One Scan Saved My Life: How One Woman's Story Will Change the Way We Detect Lung Cancer", and founder of the Cancer Doesn't Care initiative.

Kim Sandler, MD

Co-chair of the ACR Lung Cancer Screening Committee.

Eric Hart, MD

Co-chair of the ACR Lung Cancer Screening Committee.

Alan H. Matsumoto, MD, FACR

Chair of the ACR Foundation and ACR Board of Chancellors.

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What they’re saying

“Too many people are diagnosed with lung cancer at late stages, where survival is limited, because U.S. Preventive Services Task Force rules focus mainly on age and smoking history. Many who develop lung cancer have never smoked or smoked very little and do not meet those criteria.”

— Kim Sandler, MD, Co-chair of the ACR Lung Cancer Screening Committee

“Cancer doesn't care whether or how much you smoke. This initiative can enable many women, and men, who otherwise may not be tested to have their cancers found early when they are most treatable.”

— Shira Boehler, Lung cancer survivor and founder of Cancer Doesn't Care

“This initiative gives us a way to reach the people current policy leaves behind, strengthen the evidence and move national screening practices toward greater equity and earlier detection.”

— Eric Hart, MD, Co-chair of the ACR Lung Cancer Screening Committee

“The ACRF and Cancer Doesn't Care collaboration will support earlier detection, save lives and provide new evidence to help update national screening guidelines.”

— Alan H. Matsumoto, MD, FACR, Chair of the ACR Foundation and ACR Board of Chancellors

What’s next

Shira Boehler and Dr. Kim Sandler will speak about the new Cancer Doesn't Care Fund during "A Fireside Chat with Shira Kupperman Boehler, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Dr. Kim Lori Sandler" on Tuesday, April 14 at 6pm ET at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

The takeaway

This new Cancer Doesn't Care Fund aims to expand access to cancer screening and boost early detection, especially for individuals who may not meet the current guidelines but are still at high risk. By reaching underserved populations and generating new evidence, the initiative hopes to drive updates to national screening practices and save more lives through earlier cancer diagnosis.