Cancer Resources

Our mission is to elevate the mind, body, and spirit of patients, survivors, and caregivers throughout the cancer journey.

Optimal Living Program offers a wide variety of evidence-based programs in Central Iowa. The programs are led by medical staff and certified instructors, and they include indoor cycling, yoga, small group personal training, Tai Chi, individual coaching, urban pole walking, and more.

Hotel Program provides lodging for cancer survivors traveling more than 50 miles for treatment in the state of Iowa.

Adult Young Survivor Program. Survivor and friends 18-40 years old can gather with their peers for community, experiences and fun. Free monthly events and activities.

Virtual Programs offer a variety of online options for non-local survivors and care givers.

Provides information on cancer, staying healthy, treatment & support (transportation/lodging) & more. Helps with questions about health insurance.

Provides guidance and resources to assist those who want to quit smoking.

Quitline Iowa 800-QUIT-NOW

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• Resource Request Form Link: http://bit.ly/LungIA 

• Provider Google Drive: https://bit.ly/44lEEBa  

• Quitline Iowa: https://quitlineiowa.org/en-US  

• My Life My Quit: https://ia.mylifemyquit.org/en-us/  

• Quitlogix Education: Quitlogix Education | Quitlogix Education for Iowa Providers 

• American Lung Association Education: American Lung Association Training 

Can Do Cancer is a non-profit organization that works to improve the lives of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment in Des Moines, Ames and surrounding areas. Can Do Cancer provides dinner for patients and their families on chemotherapy days, house cleaning services throughout treatment, a website for patients to learn what they need to know after a breast cancer diagnosis and motivational support by breast cancer survivors.

Iowa Cancer Resource Guide

The Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project has gathered these resources to help address cancer concerns in our state. This project aims to solve community-specific cancer issues in all 99 counties of Iowa. These resources come from partners across the state who are committed to controlling cancer and reducing its impact in Iowa, including the Iowa Cancer Registry, Iowa Health and Human Services, the Iowa Cancer Consortium, Iowa Cancer Plan, the Iowa Rural Health association, and more.

Cancer Support Helpline

Our experienced Helpline team offers free, personalized navigation by phone at 888-793-9355 or online.

Online Community

 MyLifeLine is here to help you easily connect to your community from wherever you are to reduce stress, anxiety, and isolation — and to transform your cancer experience. Our online community includes patients, survivors, caregivers, and loved ones impacted by cancer. 

MyLifeLine’s online community is a free resource, always offered at no cost for anyone impacted by cancer.

CFAC is a coalition of financial assistance organizations joining forces to help cancer patients experience better health and well-being by limiting financial challenges, through:

1. Facilitating communication and collaboration among member organizations;
2. Educating patients and providers about existing resources and linking to other organizations that can disseminate information about the collective resources of the member organizations;
3. Advocating on behalf of cancer patients who continue to bear financial burdens associated with the costs of cancer treatment and care.

Find a Support Group that Fits You.

With a cancer diagnosis comes a new set of challenges for every patient and their family members. However, no one has to walk this path alone. We can connect you and your loved ones with a wide range of support services. This way, everyone can connect with people who are on a similar journey

Patient Service Grant Program

Our Patient Service Grant Program directly supports families affected by blood or pediatric cancer. Since 2019, we’ve distributed over $100,000 to cover various expenses, like

• Travel to and from appointments
• Rent
• Groceries
• School supplies
• Hearing aids
• Tutoring from missing class for treatment
• …& so much more

We focus on patients, so they can focus on their fight.

This program is available for qualified blood or pediatric cancer patients to support their personalized financial needs. To receive assistance, please fill out the grant application at the link below.

The Iowa Cancer Consortium is Iowa’s statewide comprehensive cancer coalition. As a leader in cancer control, the Iowa Cancer Consortium offers the state’s cancer stakeholders access to resources, expertise, and non-competitive collaboration across traditional boundaries for a bigger impact in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and quality of life.

Grant opportunities on the website. 

Jesse J. Sanctuary Foundation is a nonprofit (501c3) organization located in rural Des Moines, Iowa. We provide free hideaways for cancer patients and their families where they can peacefully enjoy their time together in a nature setting. 

Our Mission

We will provide comfort, support, and respite to cancer patients and their families by providing a nature sanctuary where they can enjoy a country setting to ease their experience with cancer. We believe honesty and integrity are the leading principles of our mission, and we strive to provide an atmosphere of compassion and care.

UnityPoint Health – John Stoddard Cancer Center, a service of UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, is among the top achieving cancer programs in the nation and has been recognized for its quality cancer care. Our high standard of care comes from decades of research, cancer treatment experience and cancer care technological superiority.  

Cancer Support Groups

UnityPoint Health – John Stoddard Cancer Center, a service of UnityPoint Health - Des Moines, offers many support services to patients and families who wish to share their feelings with others who will understand. View all classes and events offered at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines.

Stoddard Cancer Center offers both in-person and virtual options for most support groups. Please contact your support group facilitator about being added to the group list, so you can receive all future updates.

American Lung: Radon

Free Radon Test kits while supplies last (one per household)

Mission Cancer + Blood offers high-quality oncology care in community settings with on-site labs, chemotherapy infusion suites, clinical trials, and multi-disciplinary tumor boards at locations all across Iowa. A cornerstone in cancer care in communities across Iowa for over 40 years, Mission has more than 20 community clinics located in rural communities or other health care organizations, keeping high-quality cancer care local for patients. 

The organization became part of UI Health Care in late 2024, providing patients with the enhanced resources that come along with backing from a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated comprehensive cancer center, as well as access to a wide portfolio of clinical trials and rare cancer expertise. 

The Mission Cancer Foundation Financial Assistance Fund provides up to $500 of financial assistance annually to adult cancer patients undergoing medical oncology treatment in Central Iowa. 

Assistance helps cover expenses, including:
 

• Rent or mortgage
• Utilities
• Telephone
• Transportation