Posted July 25, 2013
The new Blank Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, designed exclusively for kids, has received the financial support of the Iowa pork industry’s Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation.
The foundation has donated $250,000 to the Des Moines facility that provides comprehensive and coordinated medical care for children by a multi-disciplinary team of pediatric specialists. It is the only center in central Iowa treating kids with cancer and blood disorders. The new family-friendly clinic provides the best possible treatments and health care for children and their families.
“As farmers and pork producers, we are committed to giving back to our communities and contributing to nonprofit organizations striving to improve the quality of life for local residents,” said Jeff Hansen, CEO of Iowa Select Farms and co-founder of the foundation. “Our foundation supports this center because cancer, although uncommon, is the second leading cause of death in children, exceeded only by accidents, according to the American Cancer Society,” Hansen added, “Plus, Blank is an extraordinary children’s hospital that serves all of Iowa’s 99 counties and is committed to fighting pediatric cancer and blood disorders.”
The expanded center features more exam rooms, large family space where patients and families can play, do activities and connect with each other, consultation rooms, expanded infusion rooms, dedicated procedure rooms, psychologist testing room, conference room for webinars, education and telemedicine, a new Adolescent Young Adult and Survivorship Program and Dedicated space for research coordinators.
“This is a spacious and comfortable first-class facility designed to make the care of children and their families the best it can possibly be,” added Deb Hansen. “We appreciate the comfort that peaceful rooms like these will provide for cancer patients and their families during stressful times.”
The Hansens, who founded Iowa Select Farms and New Modern Concepts in Iowa Falls, established the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation in 2006. The foundation works with philanthropic organizations to relieve hunger, support military families and strengthen efforts to find a cure for childhood cancer while improving the quality of life for cancer patients.
The largest pork producer in Iowa and the sixth largest in the United States, Iowa Select Farms has been producing high-quality pork for 20 years and is committed to meeting or exceeding all requirements in efforts to protect the environment and ensure proper care and well-being of swine. With nearly 550 swine farms across the state, Iowa Select Farms employs more than 1,000 people, contracts with more than 345 farm families and supports hundreds of local businesses throughout the state.
The Hansen’s gift was supported with many other gifts from dedicated donors: Other in-kind donations were made of toys and electronics from families supporting the new clinic.