DC Cancer Care

Cancer Doesn’t Quit and Neither Do We!

The Dawson County Cancer Care Fund is dedicated to maintaining a strong future of helping local cancer patients in its mission to improve quality of life and relieve physical and emotional burdens during treatment by providing emergency financial support to cancer patients.

Cancer Care started in September 2021. Since that time, a total of 90 applicants received more than $70,600. Since November last year, 26 applicants have received $28,000. This also includes a donation to Chemo Comfort Totes to purchase gas cards to assist chemotherapy patients in the area. Patients served reside in Lexington, Gothenburg, Overton, Cozad and Johnson Lake. An average of three applications are received every month. Recent patients receive gas, grocery and utility assistance.

Sources of income include donations from businesses and individuals during the annual Give Big Lexington day of giving. This year’s donations will help fund assistance to many more cancer patients, as well as minimal operating expense and committee member expense reimbursements.

Annual Wine and Chocolate Fundraiser Fun

Other income sources include committee fundraising events and memorial gifts in memory of loved ones.

The committee works hard to raise awareness at local events and fundraisers. DCCCF participates in the Pink-tober Breast Cancer Awareness event in Lexington, organizes annual Survivor Recognition Events and the annual Mac’s Creek Winery Wine and Chocolate fundraiser. DCCCF also partners with Lexington Regional Health Center and the Joe Torres Sand Volleyball Tournament to support local cancer patients and increase exposure to the Fund’s mission. Wine and Chocolate! Always a big crowd!

DCCCF continues to support the Chemo Comfort Tote Drive by providing gas cards and sponsoring totes. Chemo Comfort Tote Drive was created to support those fighting cancer. The bags are filled with essentials for cancer warriors of all ages. Bags go to Gothenburg Health, Cozad Hospital, and Lexington Regional Health Center, as well as to North Platte’s Callahan Cancer Center, Heartland Hematology and Oncology, and CHI Cancer Center in Kearney for distribution to patients. Contact organizer Mary Harbur of Gothenburg at 308-529-2205 for more information.  

Committee officers include:

•  Julie Rickertsen – Chairperson-Treasurer of Lexington
•  Mary Harbur – Vice Chairperson of Gothenburg 
• Pam Ackerman – Secretary of Lexington

Returning committee members include Pam Baruth, Meredith Orthman and Sharon Wood, all of Lexington; Carol Halley of Overton; and Deb Werger of Elwood. New members in 2025 include Jann Kloepping of Cozad; Annette Mariel of Lexington; and Andrea Nisley of Elwood.

Having cancer is hard, but finding help shouldn’t be.

 For more information, contact chairperson(s) Julie Rickertsen or Pam Ackerman.

Julie: 308-325-0174

Pam: 308-325-3642