Cancer continues to touch millions of lives across the United States each year. The American Cancer Society projects that approximately 2,114,850 new cancer cases and 618,120 cancer deaths will occur in 2026. Breast cancer remains one of the most common forms of the disease; it accounts for roughly one in three new cancer diagnoses among women.
Those figures represent far more than medical diagnoses. Behind every patient are family members, caregivers, employers, friends, and communities whose lives are also affected by treatment, recovery, uncertainty, and loss. According to Leslie Smith, co-founder of Anchors, those broader support needs often receive less attention despite playing an important role throughout the cancer journey. That perspective helped shape the mission of Anchors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers through practical assistance and community resources.
Smith co-founded Anchors in memory of her mother, Carol Lynn Camp, whose experience with cancer became the foundation for the organization's purpose. From Smith's perspective, her mother's determination to support others while navigating her own diagnosis demonstrated the importance of compassion and practical assistance during difficult circumstances.
"Anchors was created to honor my mother's legacy and the way she continually looked for opportunities to help others, even while facing her own challenges," Smith says. "Our goal is to build an organization that helps patients and families feel supported throughout every stage of the cancer experience."
Today, Anchors focuses on providing assistance that can help reduce some of the everyday burdens associated with treatment, including transportation support, lodging assistance, and other services designed to help patients concentrate on their health and recovery. According to Smith, the organization's recent rebrand reflected a decision to sharpen that focus and create a clearer path for future growth.
While Anchors is still in the early stages of its next chapter, Smith explains that much of her current leadership role centers on building the foundation necessary for long-term impact. She notes that sustainable fundraising remains one of the organization's primary priorities as it works toward expanding support programs for cancer patients and families nationwide.
"Every nonprofit mission begins with creating the resources needed to serve people effectively," Smith says. "Right now, a significant part of our work involves identifying funding opportunities and building relationships that will allow us to grow responsibly while staying focused on the people we hope to help."
That focus on growth and sustainability was evident during Anchors' recent participation as the benefiting charity partner for the 47th Annual Philadelphia Bar Association 5K Run and Walk. According to Smith, the event represented an opportunity to raise awareness, engage with the community, and introduce the organization's renewed mission to a broader audience.
The organization also maintains ties to Inperium, a constellation of affiliated organizations that support initiatives across behavioral health, education, and social impact services. While Anchors operates with its own mission and leadership, Smith says the relationship provides valuable support as the foundation continues developing its programs and fundraising capabilities.
The broader conversation surrounding cancer care continues to evolve. "Advances in treatment and early detection have improved outcomes for many patients, yet the practical realities of navigating appointments, transportation, caregiving responsibilities, and financial pressures remain significant considerations for families across the country," Smith notes. From her perspective, addressing those challenges requires community involvement alongside clinical care.
"Cancer affects entire families and support networks, not just individuals," Smith says. "When communities come together to help patients navigate the practical realities of treatment, they create a stronger foundation for hope, resilience, and healing."
As Anchors continues building partnerships, raising funds, and expanding awareness, Smith remains focused on the mission that inspired the organization from the beginning. Her leadership reflects a belief that meaningful support often starts with small acts of assistance that help people feel less alone during some of life's most difficult moments.
"Cancer changes the lives of everyone it touches. What remains constant is the need for compassion, connection, and support. I hope that Anchors becomes a source of stability for families when the ground beneath them feels uncertain," Leslie Smith says. "If we can help people find hope, dignity, and the strength to keep moving forward during those moments, then we are fulfilling the purpose that inspired this organization from the very beginning."
