The Heartland Cancer Foundation (heartlandcancerfoundation.org) believes no cancer patient should fall behind on treatment because they struggle to afford their everyday expenses. 11,000 Nebraskans are diagnosed with cancer each year, and one in four cancer patients will not recover because they cannot afford the care they need.

This is an issue that needs to be addressed in the community, and there are several types of gifts that philanthropists can consider to support local cancer patients who are struggling financially.

Through legacy giving, individuals have the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the lives of those battling cancer by including the foundation in their estate planning. These legacy gifts ensure that future generations of cancer patients will receive the much-needed aid and care they deserve.

Recurring giving also plays a pivotal role as it creates a steady and dependable source of funding for the foundation’s ongoing efforts, such as planning and executing long-term programs and events, awareness and outreach and offering extended aid to patients during their entire treatment journey.

Finally, setting up a donor-advised fund presents a strategic way to show support and offers numerous advantages. It simplifies the giving process, consolidates multiple charitable donations into a single fund and offers flexibility in timing charitable donations–and donors can take an immediate tax deduction. If interested, the Lincoln Community Foundation is a great place to set up a fund.

Learn more about the Heartland Cancer Foundation at heartlandcancerfoundation.org.