The Dawson County Cancer Care Fund committee is recognizing the past five years of providing financial assistance to local cancer patients undergoing treatment. From September 2021 through June 2026, the fund surpassed the $100,300 mark distributed to 110 patients.
“Our motto is “Having cancer is hard, but finding help shouldn’t be’,” said Julie Rickertsen, committee chairperson, of Lexington. “Committee members are dedicated to helping local cancer patients as quickly as possible.”
The primary sources of assistance are gift cards for gas or groceries. More than 50 percent of the total has been given for fuel to go back and forth for appointments, treatments, follow up scans and medical consults. Grocery store gift cards make up 25 percent with other assistance going to utilities, medical expense and housing.
“Community partners are essential to making this effort work! Grocery stores, gas stations, utility offices, medical facilities, and so many others hear of our mission and immediately step up to make it happen,” said Rickertsen.
In addition, Cancer Care supports the annual Joe Torres Sand Volleyball Tournament with a donation and raffle item. The tournament proceeds benefit a local cancer patient who is chosen each year.
The Fund also helps support the Chemo Comfort Tote program created by Mary Harbur, a breast cancer survivor and committee member, of Gothenburg. Each year, more than 250 quality tote bags are filled with a “survivor kit” for chemotherapy patients and distributed to cancer centers from North Platte to Kearney. Contact Harbur at 308-529-2205 for more information.
“Cancer Care has purchased 10 totes several times and has provided donations to purchase gas cards for individual tote bags. This support has significantly increased the number of patients impacted by the Fund,” said Rickertsen.
Of the 110 patients served the last five years, almost 50 percent live in Lexington, with 25 percent from Gothenburg and 15 percent from Cozad. The fund also assisted Dawson County patients in Sumner, Overton, Farnam and Johnson Lake, with one each from Arnold, Loomis and Cambridge.
Dawson County Cancer Care Fund is an affiliate organization with the Lexington Community Foundation and is funded by the annual GiveBIG event, memorial donations, community and school fundraisers and survivor events organized by committee members.
Committee officers and contact information include Chairperson Julie Rickertsen, Lexington, 308-325-0174; Vice Chairperson Andrea Nisley, Elwood, 308-325-6498; and Secretary Pam Ackerman, Lexington, 308-325-3642.
Contact an officer or any of the following committee members for an application: Pam Baruth, Lexington, 308-325-0121; Carol Halley, Overton, 308-325-5180; Mary Harbur, Gothenburg, 308-529-2205; Jann Kloepping, Cozad, 308-746-4479; Annette Mariel, Lexington, 650-218-6570; Meredith Orthman, Lexington; 308-325-0034 Deb Werger, Johnson Lake, 402-499-5612; and Sharon Wood, Lexington, 308-324-2461.
