A southwest Iowa boy who's being treated for brain cancer got a video message of encouragement this week from one of his Hollywood heroes, actor Robert Downey Junior. Amy Tijerina of Council Bluffs, says her 7-year-old, Jackson, was diagnosed in 2016 and was told he needed immediate … [Read more...]
Iowa Supreme Court justice undergoing cancer treatment is returning to work
An Iowa Supreme Court Justice plans to return to the bench after some time off to undergo treatment for cancer. Justice Daryl Hecht of Sloan plans to begin hearing cases again and participating in decisions after not participating in oral argument cases since March of this year. He had been doing … [Read more...]
Iowans talk with congressional delegation about pancreatic cancer research funding
More than a dozen Iowans whose lives have been changed by pancreatic cancer -- striking themselves or a loved one -- are in Washington D.C. today, lobbying members of Iowa's congressional delegation. Melinda Thach of Ames, a volunteer for the Des Moines affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action … [Read more...]
Iowa Cancer Consortium meeting in Ames to discuss 5-year plan
Doctors, nurses, researchers and survivors are gathering in Ames today for a regional meeting of the Iowa Cancer Consortium. Levi Lappin, a coalition spokesman, says one focus of the conference is to discuss the newly-released Iowa Cancer Plan, a health blueprint for the next five years. "It … [Read more...]
Basketball games double as a fundraiser for ailing Kirkwood coach
A college basketball coach in Cedar Rapids is undergoing treatment for brain cancer and games played last night served as a fundraiser for his family. Kirkwood assistant men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson was in a car accident in October and during examinations at the hospital, doctors … [Read more...]
Wear purple Thursday to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer
Iowans are being encouraged to "wear purple with a purpose" Thursday in order to raise awareness about what's considered the world's toughest form of cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in Iowa and in the U.S. Melinda Thach, a volunteer for the Des Moines … [Read more...]
Iowa hotels honored for providing rooms to cancer patients
There are 50 hotels across Iowa taking part in a program that provides complimentary lodging for cancer patients who are forced to travel far away from their homes to receive treatment. Kelly Angell, oversees the program for the Iowa chapter of the American Cancer Society. "These hotels have … [Read more...]
American Cancer Society advocates lobby Congress for more funds
Activists from all 50 states are in Washington D.C. this week to lobby members of Congress to pump more money into cancer research. Among Iowa's representatives, Angela Sylling, of Johnston, is a volunteer advocate for the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network. Sylling is calling for … [Read more...]
New scan can detect lung cancer earlier
Lung cancer remains Iowa's top cancer killer, but there's a new type of lung cancer screening for people considered high-risk. The low-dose CT scan can detect lung cancer in the early stages, before symptoms arise. Harold Wimmer, national president and CEO of the American Lung Association, calls … [Read more...]
Emotional moment as ‘Patty’s Bill’ becomes law
A woman with stage four breast cancer stood holding hands with two breast cancer survivors as Governor Branstad signed a bill into law today. The new law directs facilities that provide mammograms to let a woman know if she has dense breast tissue, so she can get an ultrasound in addition to a … [Read more...]