Florida State Lead Ambassador

Gloria Garcia

Gloria M. Garcia is an Attorney and member of the Florida Bar and proud American Cancer Society volunteer. Mrs. Garcia has been practicing worker’s compensation for the past 20 years representing injured workers in workers’ compensation claims. She currently manages her own private practice in her hometown of Miami Lakes where she served as President of the Miami Lakes Bar Association and was a founding board member. She has also been a member of Florida Workers’ Advocates and has been invited as a speaker on several state conferences educating others on the rights of injured workers and has also been invited on to serve as workers compensation panelist and political correspondent on Spanish media. In addition, she was also the Charitable Committee Chair and member of the Richard A. Sicking Inn of Court, to promote professionalism within the legal field.  Mrs. Garcia was awarded the Women of Distinction 2017 Business award by the Town of Miami Lakes for her involvement in the legal field and volunteering in her community. In 2020, she was again awarded the Women of Distinction Humanitarian Award. She also dedicates her spare time to volunteering at her children’s schools and training middle school students and local law school students for Mock Trial Competitions.

Mrs. Garcia first became involved with the American Cancer Society as a volunteer in 2013 after her sister, Maria D. Garcia, lost her battle with breast cancer in 2009. Gloria then acted as Chair of the Relay for Life of Miami Lakes from 2015 to 2017, before becoming involved with ACS CAN. She most recently served as ACT Lead for Congressional District 25 for the past 2 years and enjoys merging her passion for advocacy work and fighting cancer. She looks forward to a cancer-free world for our future generations where no sibling, child, parent, or friend continues to suffer immeasurable loss.

Why is being an ACS CAN volunteer important to you?

Knowing the importance of laws and how they can impact the most vulnerable, I felt that advocacy work with ACS CAN allows me to positively affect others who may not otherwise have a voice. I enjoy advocating for cancer patients, their families, and survivors. It is in this process that I can positively impact the lives of others by helping to implement policies that can assist with research, access to care, and raising awareness.  

What is your proudest accomplishment as an ACS CAN volunteer?

There have been many great moments since I began my advocacy work with ACS CAN, however, being able to advocate and fight for cancer patients this past year while dealing with a pandemic showed me how resilient we are as a group and how proud I was of being involved with others as passionate for this cause as I was. Cancer doesn’t stop and neither should our advocacy work. I was very proud of the determination of my peers to continue to advocate and pass positive legislation during these, particularly challenging times.

Why should others in your community get involved with ACS CAN?

Unfortunately, cancer has affected us all in one way or another, and by getting involved in ACS CAN you truly will make a difference in the lives of cancer patients. Working with other passionate individuals to positively impact others by advocacy is a rewarding experience that is truly humbling. Our voices matter and by raising our concerns, pushing for funding, research, and legislation crucial to those affected by cancer, collectively, we CAN improve the lives of cancer patients and make a difference one legislative session at a time.

Want to join me in the fight against cancer? Fill out this form to sign up to be an ACS CAN volunteer in Florida.