Free or low-cost resources for those facing cancer in Iowa

If you’re an Iowan who is facing cancer, you don’t have to face it alone.

From cancer support groups in Iowa, to financial assistance for cancer patients, to wig donations and more, here are some places to start. Many of these places offer services at no charge.

Cancer support groups in Iowa

The Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center in Cedar Rapids has classes for those newly diagnosed, live chats for teenagers, events to support caregivers, and even a support group for children. They also have a support group specifically for those facing thyroid cancer, healthy cooking classes, art, and gardening. Click here for more information.

The Holden Comprehensive Care Center at University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City (and other locations around the state) offers group therapy, a cancer caregiver support group, a Facebook support group, a children’s support group, and groups specifically for those facing prostate and gynecological cancers. Click here for more information.

Gilda’s Club, or the Cancer Support Community of Iowa and Northwest Illinois, which has locations in the Quad Cities, offers grief support, yoga, music therapy, support groups for those facing advanced or terminal diagnoses, groups for friends and family of those with cancer, exercise classes, group dinners, and more. Click here for more information.

The Iowa Cancer Consortium has a list of free and virtual support programs around the state; find those here.

Above + Beyond Cancer in West Des Moines offers 20+ classes and programs weekly, including exercise, cooking, a book club, and more. They also offer programming specifically for young adults, and host events like hiking, bike rides, and even skydiving. Click here to learn more.

A Time to Heal Cancer Foundation in Omaha offers classes and programs like Survivorship 101, Navigating Brain Fog, support groups for those with advanced or chronic cancers, and wellness classes. Click here for more information.

Beyond PINK Team / Cedar Valley Cancer Committee in Waterloo helps facilitate the monthly Care and Share support group for anyone dealing with cancer, as well as the Splash of Color breast cancer support group assisting cancer survivors of color with resources, education, and support. Click here to learn more.

MercyOne offers programs at its locations across Iowa, including music therapy, cancer survivorship programs, an education series, art therapy, nutrition support, meditation, brain fog, and more. Learn more here.

UnityPoint Health’s John Stoddard Cancer Center in Des Moines offers aromatherapy, guided imagery, massage therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and music therapy. They also have support groups for blood cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, oral, head, and neck cancers, gynecological cancers, breast cancer, advanced or recurrent cancers, and for caregivers. Learn more here.

Wings of Hope in Council Bluffs offers companion coaching and counseling, discovery circles, guided imagery therapy, exercise and healing touch, support groups, a lending library, online meetings, and more. Learn more here.

Financial assistance

The APG Foundation in Cedar Rapids provides financial assistance up to $2,000 per cancer patient per year, to help cover the cost of medications, compression sleeves and stockings, prosthetics, wigs, mastectomy bras, massage, reiki, acupuncture, medicinal CBD, and other medical expenses related to treatment of cancer. It only covers those in Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Delaware, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, and Linn counties. Learn more here.

Can Do Cancer in Ankeny helps breast cancer patients with things like dinner for patients and their families on chemotherapy days, monthly house cleaning treatments, and motivational support. Click here to learn more.

Mission Cancer Foundation Financial Assistance Fund in Ankeny, Des Moines, and Waukee provides up to $500 of financial assistance annually to adult cancer patients undergoing medical oncology treatment in Central Iowa. Covered expenses include rent or mortgage payments, utility and telephone bills, and help with transportation. Learn more here.

Foundations outside of Iowa that offer financial assistance for cancer patients:

• Accessia Health
• American Cancer Society
• The Assistance Fund
• Cancercare Copay Assistance Foundation
• Good Days
• Healthwell Foundation
• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
• Needy Meds
• Patient Access Network
• Patient Advocate Foundation

Wigs

Strands of Strength in West Des Moines has partner salons across Iowa and work with oncologists to provide vouchers for free wigs to cancer patients. Learn more here.

Many other organizations outside of Iowa offer free wigs, hats, and scarves for cancer patients—Cancer Care News has a great list here.