Can Do Cancer

Yesterday, board members Carpenter and .zaver had the privilege of representing Can Do Cancer at the inaugural Beyond the Summit Survivorship Conference, hosted by .

The room was full of exactly the kind of people we show up for every day: past patients, Patient Partners, cancer survivors, and caregivers. We left with full hearts and some wonderful new connections alongside familiar, cherished ones.

Thank you to Above + Beyond Cancer for creating a space where thriving after cancer takes center stage. Events like this remind us how strong and vibrant this community truly is.

Tomorrow is the day! 🏍️

Join us Saturday, June 13 for the 1st Annual Tracy MacDougall Memorial Ride. Riders will gather in the southeast parking lot of Southridge Mall at 12:30 PM, with kickstands up at 1:00 PM. All makes and models of motorcycles are welcome.

This ride celebrates Tracy's life with good company and the open road. Free-will donations will be collected, with all proceeds benefiting Can Do Cancer and the patients we serve right here in central Iowa.

Can't make the ride? You can still honor Tracy with a gift: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/1stannualtracymacdougallmemorialride/

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

Girl Power and gratitude - a perfect combination. Thank you, Abbey. Notes like yours fuel everything we do. 💛

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.

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.

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!

🏍️ 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. 💚

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.

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.

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.