Former U.S. Ambassador to Lead American Cancer Society Global Health Work
Sally G. Cowal Brings Health, Government and Nonprofit Experience to New Role
September 9, 2013 /3BL Media/ - The American Cancer Society has named Sally G. Cowal, a former U.S. ambassador and U.S. Foreign Service Officer, senior vice president, Global Health. Cowal brings her deep knowledge of and influence in the global health, government and nonprofit sectors to this new role and joins the Society at a critical time as the organization transforms to save thousands of lives per day worldwide from cancer,
With global cancer deaths expected to rise to 13.2 million by 2030, the American Cancer Society is committed to making cancer a priority on global health agendas. Cowal will lead the Society’s efforts to reduce the global burden of cancer primarily through advocacy for effective tobacco control measures; improvement of access to cancer screening, treatment and pain relief; and collaborations with other cancer control organizations, advocates and governments.
“Sally’s experience and influence in the global health arena is a huge asset to our organization, especially as we step up our efforts to fight cancer worldwide,” said John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., CEO of the American Cancer Society. “We have no doubt Sally’s leadership of this important function will help us make continued progress in reducing the global threat of cancer.”
Cowal has been a key contributor to the public health and nonprofit arenas, having helped found the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS in Switzerland and serving as its director for external relations to raise awareness of AIDS as a public health and economic issue, as well as serving as founder, president and CEO of the Cuba Policy Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the study of the benefits of expanding trade and people-to-people contact with Cuba.
"We've arrived at a threshold of opportunity to put cancer on the global agenda in the same way we did with AIDS 20 years ago," said Cowal. “The American Cancer Society is an organization with the knowledge, experience, and reach via its massive grassroots network to mobilize global stakeholders against this disease and I am privileged to lead this effort on its behalf.”
