Cancer Partners of Nebraska and Lincoln Fire Fighters Local 644 invite you to a fun night of classic cars and a cornhole tournament with great food and drinks! 

Funds raised will be used to provide financial assistance for patients seeking scalp cooling treatment to minimize hair loss during chemotherapy. 

Learn more & sign up to play or sponsor at https://cancerpartners.com/Cornhole

Over the years, Amy has contributed much to the success of our organization. Thankfully, we will continue to benefit from Amy’s knowledge and dedication in a volunteer capacity, as she has graciously agreed to become a member of our Impact Guild moving forward. You may see her at an upcoming HCF event or fundraiser soon!

Replacing Amy as Executive Director is Chris Blum, whom we are very excited to welcome. 

A Nebraska native, Chris brings 29 years of nonprofit leadership experience to HCF. He most recently served as the Business Development Manager for the Nebraska Safety Council, and has also held positions as the Chief Philanthropy Officer for the Nebraska Children’s Home Society and the Scout Executive/CEO for the Cornhusker Council, Boy Scouts of America. 

Chris will provide the strategic and professional leadership for all development and operational efforts of the HCF, and looks forward to engaging donors and community partners in realizing their charitable goals.

When asked why he is excited about joining the Heartland Cancer Foundation and stepping into this role, Chris responded: “Because the critical mission of directly helping cancer patients is straightforward and changes lives in our communities!"  

Chris and his wife Lori have a son, CJ, who attends Mickle Middle School. Chris has been active in Rotary and as a Cub Scout Den Leader, and he currently coaches Junior High Cross Country and Track for St. John’s Catholic School.

You can reach Chris by emailing chris@heartlandcancerfoundation.org. 

Welcome to HCF, Chris, we know you will accomplish great things!

Our mission is to provide practical and immediate financial assistance to eligible cancer patients in our community so they can focus on what matters most: healing.

​​The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan for the Heartland Cancer Foundation.  Other key duties include fundraising, marketing and community outreach.  The position reports directly to the Board of Directors.
​
Professional Qualifications Needed:

• A bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Transparency and high integrity leadership.
• Five or more years nonprofit management experience preferred.
• Experience and skill in working with a Board of Directors.
• High level strategic thinking and planning. Ability to envision and convey the organization’s strategic future to the staff, board, volunteers and donors.
• Ability to effectively communicate the organization’s mission to donors, volunteers and the overall community.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff.
• A history of successfully generating new revenue streams and improving financial results.
• Active fundraising experience. Excellent donor relations skills and understanding of the funding community.
• Previous success in establishing relationships with individuals and organizations of influence including funders, partner agencies and volunteers.
• Solid organizational abilities, including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation.
• Strong financial management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision making and reporting.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong public speaking ability.
• Strong work ethic with a high degree of energy.
• Proficiency in all Microsoft applications and database management.
  
  

Salary commensurate with experience. Interested individuals should email resume to juliejsmith57@gmail.com with the subject line Executive Director. 

​Can you tell us about your diagnosis and cancer journey?
Two weeks after major back surgery in November of 2018, I began bleeding and went and got checked out. They found rectum cancer, and 30 days later I got major surgery to remove part of the colon and rectum. That was December 27th. On January 1st we started chemotherapy for 6 months. It was very intensive, they gave me a month break, and then we started radiation and chemotherapy. It's been a tough few years but I'm still here.

What is treatment like?
Treatment is vigorous and tough. You've got to remember to keep eating to keep your strength up the best you can, keep a positive attitude, and have a close family and friends that care about you just like the folks at the treatment center at Nebraska Oncology. Those folks are the best. After that year of treatment we had to start trying to get some energy back into the old body. It was hard to do but you got to do it.

What is something you wish everyone knew about cancer or a cancer journey?
Everyone that's going through the cancer journey needs to remember they're not alone. The people that are treating you care. You need to have a strong support system at home with family and friends and remember not to ever give up. Keep eating. Keep doing protein. Keep up the good work.

HCF's mission is to provide practical and immediate financial assistance to eligible cancer patients in our community so they can focus on what matters most: healing. Why do you think that is important or needed?
I think it's important because not everybody is financially set. Most of us need help, especially when there's no money coming in. This is where HCF has saved my life.

Would you recommend HCF to patients in a similar situation? If so, why?
I have recommended folks to check out HCF because these folks care and they will help if they can.