We are proud to announce two grants recently distributed from the Robert McCune Endowment. The McCune Endowment was created in honor of community leader and philanthropist Robert McCune.  The funds from the endowment are restricted to assist cancer patients, facilities and programs in Southeast Iowa.

First, to assist with cancer treatment, a $15,918 grant has been awarded to the McCreery Cancer Center at Jefferson County Health to purchase six new chemotherapy chairs. “Patients are often in these chairs for several hours at a time with each chemo session,” states Kelly Genners, ORLF VP of Programs, “it is essential that they be as comfortable and patient friendly as possible.” These new chairs have many great features including a power remote that allows the patient to change position as frequently as necessary to maintain maximum comfort.

The second grant, a $5,000 award focused on cancer prevention, was provided to the Ottumwa Fire Department to assist in the purchase of a Sauna Detox System. This new system will provide firefighters returning from a fire call with a mechanism to remove harmful chemicals, carbons and carcinogens trapped in the skin that can trigger disease if left in the body.

The Robert McCune Endowment is overseen by a volunteer advisory committee comprised of McCune family members, donors to the fund, health professionals and cancer survivors. Requests for support are accepted throughout the year.