Previously located in a small, cramped office space on Bascom Avenue, the nonprofit agency moved on Oct. 28 into a roomy facility at 747 Camden Ave. in Campbell.

The new space enables the organization to carry out its mission to use research, education, advocacy and service to prevent cancer, save lives and diminish suffering. Its overall goal is to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

"This space is double what we had before," said Angie Carrillo, marketing and communications director for this local branch. "We were literally out of room at the old location."

More than a luxury, the larger space allows the organization to serve its clientele by offering classes and support groups on site.

"Typically we went to a hospital setting to conduct our classes," Carrillo said. "Now we have enough space to conduct them here."

Storage space was also limited.

"At our old location, we had an ocean-going cargo container where we stored things for events," Carrillo said. "Now we have enough storage space to keep things in-house. It is much more convenient for staff, which leads to more productivity and happier people."

For an organization that relies heavily on volunteers to get the job done, having a space where staff and volunteers can mingle is an essential component.

"Before, if I had a volunteer come in to help me with a project, I had to arrange to be in a meeting or out of my office because there was no other place for them to work," Carrillo said. "Now we can work in close proximity together."

Carrillo adds that the organization has also set aside space exclusively for volunteer groups so they can have their own cubicles and be assigned to specific work areas.

"For example, the Grand View League is a fundraising league for the American Cancer Society in Santa Clara County. They do two major events per year and have a lot of files. Now instead of having their information spread all over, they have their own cubicle here. It is a better work flow," Carrillo said.

With more space the agency is able to bring more volunteers in to assist. The group can provide more services and a faster response when people call.

Clients, staff and volunteers aren't the only ones excited about the upgrade; board members are equally enthusiastic.

"It's fabulous. Everyone has enough room. We have space to hold programs and better serve our clients," said Barbara Conant, a Campbell resident and board member. "There is a wonderful new conference room so the board can meet there."

The new space will allow the board to meet consistently in one location, Conant added.

"It gives us home for everything. Now everybody is in one place," said Bill Barrington, a board member and Willow Glen resident.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary heath organization headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. The local chapter serves Santa Clara and San Benito counties and is one of the 3,400 local offices nationwide that provide up-to-date cancer information, support groups and resources to help guide people through personal and treatment-related issues.

For information call 1-800-ACS-2345, 24 hours a day, seven days a week or go to www.cancer.org.