The Red Shamrock Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, organized to support patients and families who have been through cancer treatment.

Started in 2011, Red Shamrock Foundation raises awareness for the unique health care needs of post cancer patients, and works to support survivorship programs and post cancer research in Iowa. Red Shamrock Foundation is based in Iowa City, IA, but we consider ourselves an ‘all Iowa’ charity, as we hope to touch the lives of cancer survivors and their families across the state.

An Open Letter to Our Friends:

When my son was in the hospital being treated, our time was not our own. It belonged to cancer. There was no work, there was no home, there was little socialization or play, and very little family. It was sleepless nights, and long, worrisome days. It was painful and nausea educing procedures on someone who didn’t understand why we had to do them. Our whole existence was based around an illness. A horrible, destructive, unforgiving illness. The only focus was on getting past it; getting through the cancer to the other side.
When my son was finally given the green light, hair starting to grow back, color returning and gaining weight, his cancer in remission, it was like being able to breathe again after a long time under water. But my focus had been so concentrated on getting through his protocol and past the cancer, that I didn’t realize what lay ahead for him. Because of what we put him through in his cancer protocol, his many harsh chemo treatments, his surgeries, his radiation treatments, immunotherapy, and because of the stage of development of his young body, he would need specialized care for the rest of his life. The treatments for young cancer patients are so harsh, that if they survive their cancer, they face an increased risk for secondary cancers, and organ and tissue damage down the road. And as they age, 95% of them will have some kind of serious chronic health condition by the time they reach 45 years old. Ninety-five percent!

It is for this reason that the Red Shamrock Foundation was created. When Finn was pronounced in remission, and our lives were again under our control, I promised myself I would make the most of it. Part of that promise, and the most important reason for putting together the Red Shamrock Foundation was to raise awareness for what pediatric cancer patients have to face after they’ve already fought the battle of their lives. Their fight is never over. I hope we have raised the level of understanding for what cancer patients go through after beating cancer. And with the help of our great supporters, it is our hope that we will be able to help fund survivorship clinics and programs throughout the state and help to keep cancer survivors healthy. Thank you to all of you who have supported RSF, and to those who will help us in the future. -john

Mission

The mission of the Red Shamrock Foundation is to raise awareness of the unique health care needs of childhood cancer survivors, and to support survivorship programs and research.

Helping childhood cancer survivors thrive through direct assistance, education, and inspiration.

Red Shamrock Foundation supports pediatric cancer survivors in a variety of different ways. Here are some of the ways we are involved:

• Passport for Care – RSF is proud to be the primary sponsor of this national survivorship program for UI Healthcare pediatric cancer survivors. This program allows survivors and their physicians access to their medical records and treatment wherever they are.
• School Re-entry Program – RSF has developed an information package for patients returning to elementary, middle, or high school after completing their treatment protocol. The information included is specific to the patient, peers, parents, and school personnel to help the survivor transition back into the daily routine of school.
• Winter Camp at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital – This week-long program gives inpatient kids a “summer” camp experience.
• Survivorship Scholarship – Each year RSF awards a $1,000 renewable scholarship to a pediatric cancer survivor attending college in the state of Iowa. Application information and past recipients’ essays can be found on our Resources page.
• Team Red Shamrock – This group of amateur runners & cyclists raises awareness for pediatric cancer survivors by participating in local events and showing survivors how to lead healthy lives.
• Iowa Cancer Consortium – CancerIowa.org member
• 2019 Slideshow

Contact Info

Mailing Address:
698 Thunder Gulch Road
Iowa City, IA 52240

Phone Number: 319-530-1981 (John Hall)

Email: info@redshamrock.org or john@redshamrock.org