Reynolds is calling on lawmakers to appropriate $1 million to kickstart research into the root causes of Iowa's rising cancer rates.

Can Do Cancer has received $25,000 in grant funding to expand its support for cancer patients in central Iowa amid the state's rising rate of diagnoses.

For over a decade, the nonprofit has supported breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy by providing meals, housecleaning services, practical information and emotional support. The primary goal of the expansion is to provide services to people fighting other types of cancer.

The organization hopes to focus on three or four kinds, but the decision will be guided by volunteer availability, as well as research conducted in collaboration with cancer control partners and survivorship programs.

"While these plans are not yet final, early conversations indicate that ovarian, colorectal, and lung cancer patients will likely be among the first new groups we serve," said Dayna Boyles-Carpenter, board member of Can Do Cancer.

The funding came from the Iowa Cancer Consortium as part of the 2025 Iowa Cancer Plan Implementation Grant Program. It was awarded through an application process that started in February, Boyles-Carpenter said.

"This award is a turning point for our organization," Molly Zaver, founder of Can Do Cancer, said in a news release. "We know the toll cancer takes on individuals and their families, no matter the diagnosis. With this support from the Iowa Cancer Consortium, we are ready to extend our proven model of care to even more Iowans navigating cancer treatment."

Once the initial cancer types are finalized, applications will be found on the nonprofit's website.

Starting in October, the organization is recruiting cancer survivors to serve on their expanded patient partner program, which partners a current cancer patient with a cancer survivor. The organization is aiming to have its first cohort of patient partners in place by Dec. 31.

"For patients, seeing someone who has walked the same path and is surviving and thriving can be profoundly encouraging, no matter their state or prognosis," Boyles-Carpenter said.

According to the Iowa Cancer Registry, Iowa has the second-highest age-adjusted rate of new cancers in the U.S. and is one of only two states with a rising rate.

More than 1 in 20 people in Iowa have had a diagnosis of cancer at some point in their lives, per the 2025 Cancer in Iowa report.

"It's been exciting for us to consider how we can extend to help more of our friends and neighbors who are impacted with various cancer diagnoses throughout central Iowa," Boyles-Carpenter said of the new grant funding.

Thai Theodoro is a reporter at the Register. Reach her at [email protected].