Can Do Cancer

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Ankeny, IA
Can Do Cancer

Patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer in Des Moines, Ames and surrounding communities now have some help.

• house cleaning once a month during treatment
• dinner on chemotherapy days
• a web site for patients to learn what they need to know
• motivational support

06/03/2026

Last Thursday, The Iowa Taproom was full of people who truly understand what it means to show up for someone else - because they've been there themselves.

We brought our Patient Partners together for an evening of celebration, conversation, and reflection. These incredible volunteers wear more than one hat. As cancer survivors, caregivers, and the biggest cheerleaders for our patients - every one of them chooses to show up as a mentor for patients who are just beginning their journey.

We were honored to hear from Kathy Koenig, founder of Caregiver Connection, LLC and a certified Grief Educator, for a meaningful conversation about what it means to hold dual roles - and what it takes to care for others while also caring for yourself.

Thank you to every Patient Partner who joined us, and to Kathy for the gift of your time and insight.

06/01/2026

We asked, our supporters answered!

Thank you to the incredible crafters who responded to our call to make port pillows for our patients. We have received dozens of these tiny pillows that make such a meaningful difference for a comfortable car ride while using a chemo port.

A heartfelt thank you to Kelli Rozenboom Breuklander, Bangor Liberty Friends Church and Rosalee Patten, Tara Witty-Nelson, Sue Bunting, and Diane Nord for your time, your talent, and your care for our patients.

05/31/2026

Sending high fives and fist bumps to Rebecca Ortiz, who recently finished her chemotherapy treatments! What a wonderful milestone to celebrate!

Special thanks to Patient Partner Anne Raftis for supporting her through all the ups and downs of treatment. Together, we CAN DO CANCER!

05/29/2026

🏍️ Ride in Memory of Tracy MacDougall — June 13 in Des Moines

We are so honored to share this: Kaleigha Gainey, Ian MacDougall, and Kaide Moss are hosting the 1st Annual Tracy MacDougall Memorial Ride on June 13, 2026, with all proceeds benefiting Can Do Cancer.

Tracy was one of our patients, and her family and friends have turned their love for her into something truly meaningful. We are grateful beyond words.

Here's what you need to know:
📍 Southeast parking lot, Southridge Mall (Des Moines)
🕧 Arrive by 12:30 PM | Kickstands up at 1:00 PM
🏍️ All makes and models of motorcycles welcome
💛 Free-will donations collected at the event

Can't make the ride? You can donate in Tracy's honor right now:
👉 https://secure.qgiv.com/for/1stannualtracymacdougallmemorialride/

RSVP and share the Facebook event here:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cryvj5DTT/

If you or someone you love has ever faced a cancer diagnosis, you know that the road through treatment is long. Events like this one make it a little more possible for us to walk alongside patients every step of the way.
Share this post and help us spread the word. 💚

05/07/2026

We are so grateful! 💙💚

100 Women Who Care Ankeny selected Can Do Cancer as their 2nd quarter recipient, awarding $7,500 to support our expansion of services to patients undergoing treatment for multiple types of cancer. We are honored, humbled, and ready to put this gift to work.

Thank you to Amy Harbert for nominating Can Do Cancer, and to every member who voted and showed up for our patients.

Congratulations also to the Ankeny School Foundation on their award in support of teachers and students.

This is what community looks like.

05/02/2026

When she received her breast cancer diagnosis, she had no family nearby and felt completely alone.

Then a colleague told her about Can Do Cancer.

"I am so grateful and thankful for Can Do Cancer resources of meals, cleaning services, emotional support, and motivational encouragement to successfully help me navigate and survive this cancer journey. I am especially grateful for my patient partner Gena, who is always available to answer my questions, provide encouragement and guidance, and emotional support."

This is why the patient partner program exists. Gena shows up - and because of that, our patient knows she is not fighting this battle alone. 💛

Do you have a patient partner in your corner? Learn more at candocancer.org.

04/29/2026

In March 2021, Gayla was diagnosed with breast cancer. During treatment, one of the things that carried her through the hardest days was connecting with someone who had already walked that road.

"Knowing that others had made it through gave me hope, even on the toughest days when I felt like it would never end."

Now, Gayla is that person for someone else.

As a Can Do Cancer Patient Partner, Gayla walks alongside patients navigating chemotherapy, offering firsthand insight, honest answers, and the kind of encouragement that only comes from someone who truly understands. The patients she has been paired with say it makes all the difference - not just having a partner who gets it, but knowing they are not alone.

Outside of her volunteer work, Gayla is busy being a grandmother to five, cheering on her grandkids at every opportunity she gets. She and her husband are active in their church, love to travel, and you will likely find her baking something wonderful in her kitchen. After a 30-year career in Information Technology, Gayla brings the same steadiness and dedication to every patient she supports.

We are grateful for you, Gayla, and for every hour of hope you offer. 💛

Interested in becoming a Patient Partner? Contact us to learn more.

04/28/2026

What a night. 💛

On Wednesday, April 8, we gathered for our inaugural Topgolf fundraising event, and the energy in the room reminded us exactly why we do this work.

A huge thank you to North Risk Partners, an independent insurance agency based in West Des Moines, for helping make the evening possible. Their generosity means more patients across Iowa get the support they need when it matters most.

This is what "Together, we Can Do Cancer" looks like in action: local companies, community members, and patients, all showing up for one another.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, gave, and cheered us on. 🏌️

04/20/2026

We are always thrilled to share the good news of the end of chemotherapy for one of our patients. It is truly a milestone to celebrate!

Today, we ask you to join us in congratulating Val on completing her treatments last week. We are blessed to be able to support Val and many others through the generous donations of our community.

Thank you! Together, we CAN DO CANCER!

04/17/2026

We love to see that end-of-chemo smile! Please join us in congratulating Becky Ellis on finishing her treatments! After 8 months of treatment, Becky shared the following message with us:

"I could not have made it through without the incredible support of my amazing family and friends, and the kindness of the Can Do Cancer organization. Every bit of it meant more than words can express. The thoughtful gift box filled with essentials, meals on chemo days, help with housekeeping, and my wonderful patient partner, Linda, who checked in before and after treatments and always lifted my spirits with the sweetest cards. This journey has not been easy, but I feel so incredibly blessed to have been surrounded by so much love, support, and compassion every step of the way."

We were honored to support Becky throughout her treatment. Together we CAN DO CANCER!

Address

PO Box 602
Ankeny, IA
50021

Telephone

+15153222333

Website

http://www.candocancer.org/

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