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The American Cancer Society, the nation's largest voluntary health organization, today announced that it will relocate its National Home Office from its existing campus location on Clifton Road, and its regional South Atlantic Division from its existing location in Lenox Park, to the Inforum building in downtown Atlanta. The Society's offices will occupy approximately 270,000 square feet on two floors in the Inforum, which will be shared by employees of both the Society's National Home Office and its South Atlantic regional division office.

"Combining these two offices provides economic and operating efficiencies that help ensure good stewardship of donor contributions to the charity," said Sally West Brooks, RN, MA, volunteer national board chair, American Cancer Society. "In addition, as the scope of the Society's mission broadens and progress continues to be made in the global fight against cancer, there is a practical need for the appropriate human resources. The relocation accommodates the need for additional, long-term planned growth."

The decision to move to the Inforum came following a thorough business review of real estate options and operating costs in Atlanta and elsewhere. The Inforum, located at 250 Williams Street, offers the Society a more central location, proximity to major interstate highways, convenient access to affordable public transportation, access to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and a wide selection of hotels and meeting spaces for international meetings and visitors.

"Relocating the Society's National Home Office to downtown Atlanta reflects our ongoing commitment to be good stewards of our resources and demonstrates sound corporate citizenship," said John R. Seffrin, PhD, national chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. "The lease agreement with the Inforum is financially favorable to the Society, and the sale of our current building will fund the lease for a number of years. And relocating to a building that is convenient to public transportation - and encouraging our staff to use it - is a civic and environmental responsibility we at the American Cancer Society take seriously."

"Atlanta is at the center of health and science innovation, and we are excited that the American Cancer Society will be calling downtown Atlanta home. Atlanta is already a great place for nonprofit business and organizations, and we hope to increase the presence of these organizations in the city center," said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. "People in Atlanta are interested in helping others and jobs in the health science industry appeal to the community-centric and compassionate drive of Atlantans."

The Society's 18 year old current headquarters building on the Clifton Road Corridor is under contract to be sold to Emory University. "We will miss the American Cancer Society as a neighbor but we are delighted that they have decided to remain in Atlanta, and we will continue to remain friends and partners in our mutual dedication to benefiting society through our respective missions," said Emory University President James W. Wagner. "The Society's presence adds significantly to Atlanta's national and international reputation as a public health capital."

Emory University is currently considering a range of options for using the former American Cancer Society headquarters, which will provide the university with office, programmatic and meeting space. Under the terms of the university purchase agreement, the American Cancer Society will have the right to occupy the building until June 2007, allowing nearly a year of transition to the society in accomplishing its move.

The American Cancer Society moved from New York City into its current facility on Clifton Road in January of 1989 following a nationwide site search and site selection process to relocate its international operations. The Society currently employs approximately 7,000 people throughout the United States who support more than three million volunteers, and the new facility will house approximately 650 employees. The move to the facility will be completed by June 30, 2007. The Society's headquarters operations in the metro Atlanta area also include a national distribution center complex located in Suwanee.

"The relocation will provide an excellent opportunity for the South Atlantic Division to take advantage of strong synergies with the Society's national staff and benefit from enhanced integration of our systems and programs," said G. Fred Worsham, MD, volunteer chairman of the South Atlantic Division's Board of Directors. "By working even more closely together, we will be able to better serve cancer patients, their families and caregivers and advance our lifesaving mission in all of our communities."

The Inforum is owned and leased by Cousins Properties, which facilitated a favorable lease term for the Society. The building was completed in 1989 and was designed by renowned Atlanta architect John Portman & Associates. The new office space will be planned and designed by Atlanta-based Hendrick.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

SOURCE: American Cancer Society