Joe Polak’s Story

Tell us about yourself:
I'm an automotive repair man and businessman. I had my own business up until 2018, when I came down with third stage rectal cancer, so I went through major surgery and then spent 9 months of 2019 in intensive chemotherapy and radiation. Since then I've had to retire and I've been in recovery. I've got three years clean from cancer. I just take one day at a time. I love camping, traveling, and my family life.

How did you hear about the Heartland Cancer Foundation?
I heard about the Heartland Cancer Foundation through my oncologist's office. They were kind enough to get me in touch with the Heartland Cancer Foundation to help out. I was unemployed, I was in treatment, no money was coming in, and a lot of money was going out. God bless him.

​How has HCF helped you or your family?
Heartland Cancer Foundation has shown that they cared. They helped us out so much in financial ways with making house payments, car payments, giving me fuel cards. Just truly caring. 

​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.