History of Rally Against Cancer

Rally Against Cancer was created out of the love for a mother, Helen Hampton, who lost her battle with cancer in 1997. Her daughter, Kim Johnson, was so impressed with the treatment, compassion and overall coordinated care that her mother and her family received during Helen's battle with cancer that she approached the John Stoddard Cancer Center about establishing an event to raise money and awareness for the patients and families at John Stoddard Cancer Center.

This annual fundraising event held every January includes a silent and live auction, dinner and presentation by a special guest speaker. Since 2000, Rally Against Cancer has netted over $4.6 million to support the programs and services John Stoddard Cancer Center provides to patients and families to help improve their quality of life throughout treatment and beyond.

This year, Rally celebrates 24 years and has grown from a small super bowl party for friends to Stoddard's signature fundraiser, hosting over 600 attendees. Each year, thousands of patients and families benefit from the funds raised at Rally. The proceeds from this annual event have been part of every major initiative within the Cancer Center.

Programs Supported

Proceeds from the last 23 years of the event have touched every area of the cancer center, bringing comfort, resources and healing when it's needed most. 

• Oncology Navigators
  The Oncology Navigation team connects patients and their families with resources within the John Stoddard Cancer Center, at UnityPoint Health, and in the community. Their goal is to educate and support patients and families throughout the cancer journey. The team is staffed by oncology certified nurses and social worker. Cancer can be a scary diagnosis for patients and their families. Oncology Navigators work to ease their minds, answer questions and plan ahead for patients. This program is provided free of charge and not reimbursed through insurance, so it relies on philanthropy and Rally Against Cancer. 
  
  
• Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program
  Adolescents and young adults with cancer typically do not receive as much attention as children and older adults, but about 89,000 AYAs are diagnosed each year. That is why Stoddard Cancer Center and Blank Children's Hospital developed the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program. As the first of its kind in Iowa, this innovative program is designed to better address the unique needs of cancer patients between the ages of 15 and 39 and improve their survival rates.
  
  
• Charlie Cutler Healing and Wellness Program
  After diagnosis, cancer patients are routinely treated using conventional medicine. Beyond these vital treatments, we believe complementary evidence-based services can help relieve symptoms and side-effects as well as improve the efficacy of conventional treatments. This is the foundation of the Charlie Cutler Healing and Wellness Program. Alongside conventional medicine, there is great power in complementary therapies that support the mind, body and spirit for patients and caregivers.
  
  
• Empower Boutique and Salon
  EMPOWER Boutique and Salon is available to patients throughout their cancer journey. Cancer patients often experience changes in their appearance due to treatments or surgery. This can be difficult, both physically and emotionally. EMPOWER addresses this challenge by offering products and services that meet the unique needs of cancer patients.