“He could very simply articulate a vision. ”
Starting in 1931, the “McEachern Study Committee” reported to the CMA on the lack of national attention being given to cancer diagnosis and treatment in Canada. These problems included a shortage of radium for cancer treatment and the disorganized approach to the early detection and treatment of cancer. Almost single-handedly, he unified the provincial cancer committees into the Canadian Cancer Society in 1938.
McEachern was elected the President of the CMA in 1934/35 and received the CMA's second STARR medal in 1938. In addition, McEachern was named the Founding President (1938-1944) of the Canadian Society for the Control of Cancer, the forerunner of the Canadian Cancer Society. In 1946, he became the first honorary life member of the Canadian Cancer Society.