Dear Reader,
Crusade to Heal America tells the captivating story of Mary Lasker who fearlessly fought for medical research and saved countless lives. The cure of cancer consumed more of her time and energy than any other cause, but along with bringing it out of the shadows, she did the same with birth control, mental health, preventative heart care, and AIDS.
"I am opposed to heart disease and cancer the way one is opposed to sin." With these words as her battle cry, Mary and her husband, Albert, founded the Lasker Foundation, creating the prestigious Lasker Awards, known as the "American Nobels." Their groundbreaking work shaped the landscape of medical research in America.
This inspiring biography takes you on a journey through Mary Lasker's tireless efforts to transform the American Society for the Control of Cancer into the influential American Cancer Society. But her impact didn't stop there. Mary also played a pivotal role in expanding the National Institutes of Health, turning it into the largest research facility in the world.
Mary Lasker's ultimate victory came in the form of the 1971 National Cancer Act, which she helped launch by bringing together two political adversaries. Her courage and determination defied societal norms, smashing stereotypes in the fashion of Jeannette Rankin, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Shirley Chisholm.
Embark on the never-before-told story of how one woman impacted the public health of an entire nation. | 
