Almost 10,000 participants in an American Cancer Society rally came to the National Mall Wednesday to lobby their members of Congress for increased treatment and research funding.

Organizers said ACS intends to get every member of Congress to sign a pledge to continue funding for cancer research and pass legislation for other preventative care efforts. Organizers said every congressional office in Washington is meeting with representatives from the Cancer Action Network during the rally.

“On average, we have eight cancer survivors per office,” said Greg Donaldson, ACS’ national vice president for corporate communications. “In most cases (the members of Congress) are going to come down to the Mall.”

Donaldson said the “Celebration on the Hill” rally, which organizers began planning in 2004, is a unique