Read inspiring stories of strength, perseverance, and hope from those we’ve had the privilege of caring for at the Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center.
Keith Hindman, 67, of Swisher, has always lived an active life. So when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he was determined not to let it slow him down. With the support of his care team at the Nassif Community
After delaying a colonoscopy, a Marion woman was diagnosed with colon cancer and now urges others to get screened early to detect and prevent the disease. Christi Stauber of Marion sought medical care last June after experiencing symptoms she initially
After a freak workplace incident revealed a hidden tumor, one Cedar Rapids man faced head and neck cancer with determination—and a team behind him every step of the way. Sullivan “Sully” Robertson of Cedar Rapids was operating a skid loader
From the shoreline to the starting line—facing cancer, finding strength, and paddling forward together Michelle Lange of East Dubuque, IL, has been a regular on the waters of the Mississippi for over two decades, racing dragon boats with a group
If you were to picture the “typical” colon cancer patient, you probably wouldn’t picture someone like Phil Decker. Under 50, in excellent physical shape, and a multiple-time marathon runner, Decker seemed the picture of health. Yet in January 2022, he
Early detection, coordinated care and comprehensive support made all the difference for Barb during her breast cancer journey. When Barb Schemmel, of Cedar Rapids, went in for her appointment last October, she expected it to be routine. The next day,
“I thought it was 50,” Mark Kluesner said to his wife, Amy, when they were discussing the age to get a colonoscopy. Amy responded by telling Mark the recommendation for colonoscopy changed to 45 – his current age at the time. During his
A routine mammogram led to a breast cancer diagnosis—and a genetic discovery that may have saved her life. In March 2024, Leslie Coffin received a call from her former doctor’s office in Des Moines about the results of her recent
Bill Brayton, 69, of Lisbon, smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for more than 40 years. He picked up the habit at 19 and finally quit around age 60, in 2016. After he stopped smoking, his primary care provider
The Family Care Program is a program of the Nassif Community Cancer Center and is funded by a grant from Aiming for a Cure Foundation. Ellie Droesch of Cedar Rapids was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2023 at the
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