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A Community of Care

The Nassif Community Cancer Center’s partners share our commitment to surrounding patients, survivors and caregivers with the resources they need.

At the Nassif Community Cancer Center, you’re never alone on your journey to survivorship. From the dedicated physicians, nurses and support personnel who provide direct patient services, to the community partners who share our vision for a better approach to cancer care, we’re with you all the way.

Jennifer Hoeger’s life has been shaped by cancer since 2005, when her young son Jack was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Jack beat the odds when he became the first known survivor of his type of cancer. But Jen Hoeger and her husband Marty learned that was just the beginning.

The Hoeger Family.

“You think if you can just get through the cancer, life will go back to normal,” says Jen Hoeger. “But Jack has taught us about the challenges of survivorship and how important emotional support can be.”  As Jack battled seizures, brain damage and more, his family formed the I Know Jack Foundation to help other survivors on their journey. They distribute I Know Jack backpacks filled with comfort items to every patient who comes to the Community Cancer Center.

Backpacks donated to patients at the Community Cancer Center from the I Know Jack Foundation.

“We believe in what the Community Cancer Center is doing,” explains Hoeger. “They look at the whole person, not just their cancer. And they care about how the family is affected as well.”

Nicole Gerdin agrees. She’s the Eastern Iowa coordinator for Strands of Strength (SOS), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide wigs free of charge to women suffering hair loss due to cancer treatment.

Gerdin says, “Women tell us that having the wigs helps them feel strong—like they’re taking back something cancer took from them. But we couldn’t reach patients without wonderful partners like the Community Cancer Center. Their holistic approach means they want to provide anything and everything a cancer patient might need to beat the disease. It’s good to see that, both from the standpoint of what our organization represents, and as a cancer survivor myself.”

2018 check presentation
Team Breast Friends presents a check for $10,000 to the Community Cancer Center earlier this year.

Team Breast Friends is also committed to empowering cancer patients with emotional support and hope. Patty Frantz, treasurer for Team Best Friends’ Iowa City chapter, says, “The Community Cancer Center’s mission is our passion, too. We both want to make every breast cancer patient’s journey as comfortable as possible.”

She adds, “The work they do aligns with the reason Team Breast Friends is raising money. We know our donation to them helps provide services not covered by insurance. Together we’re making an impact on breast cancer patients’ lives every day.”

You can make a difference in the lives of cancer patients in our community. To make a gift or for more information, call (319) 369-7716.

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