About Spierings Cancer Foundation
Jim and Sue Spierings, from Little Chute, Wisconsin, established Spierings Cancer Foundation in 2009. After Jim beat throat cancer, they decided to give back in hopes of easing the experience for those facing a similar journey.
Spierings Cancer foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Its mission is to provide needed funds to three critical areas. Help families with financial support, enhance medical care in the Fox Valley, and fund research in Wisconsin.
The Spierings Cancer Foundation is a grassroots, volunteer-driven organization with three goals:
- Help local families who are battling cancer.
- Enhance cancer treatment in our community.
- Fund cancer research in our state.
Our foundation grew out of appreciation for the overwhelming support the Spierings family received from the local community when Jim was fighting his battle with a stage 4 cancer. Along with the feeling of appreciation came the urge to pay it forward. Jim and his family decided to have a small party with live music at a local banquet hall, charge an admission, have some raffles and raise a few thousand dollars to donate to a cancer charity.
Once again the local community answered the call. Bands volunteered to play, families volunteered to help, raffle prizes were donated. Rock Cancer was born. The little party soon outgrew the banquet hall and was moved to Doyle Park. The first Rock Cancer held in 2009 Raised $40,000. We surpassed the $1,000,000 mark in 2018, our 10th year. We have been blessed beyond our imagination.
We are most proud of the fact that the 90% of the money raised is returned directly to our own community. Each year we work with Patient Navigators at local cancer centers to identify families in need of financial support. 40% of the money raised is used to help families. 30% of the money is used to support the local cancer centers by purchasing equipment and services. And finally, 20% of all money raised goes to support cancer research in the State of Wisconsin.
Only 10% of our funds are used for administration purposes.
We invite you to support our efforts.
A Letter from Our Founder
Dear Friends,
In November 2007, I was 50 years old. My three kids had grown into respectable adults. They make me very proud. I was just starting to enjoy that “empty nest” with my wife. Life was good! Then WHAM, Stage 4 throat cancer! I discovered I had a fight on my hands. With the help of family, friends, and the incredible doctors and nurses at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, WI, I was able to win my battle with cancer.
Stop and think for a moment. How many people do YOU know who have been touched by cancer? Is it five, ten? Could it be as many as twenty people? Is it a family member, a friend, or someone you work with? The sad truth is we all know far too many people who have had to battle through the effects of this crummy disease.
My family, in particular, has been hit hard by cancer. My Mom died from a complication of breast cancer at age 56. Four of my sisters and a niece are breast cancer survivors. I lost a cousin to the disease just as I was starting my own battle. Believe me, I’ve seen enough! So, I decided to do something about it. I started the Spierings Cancer Foundation to provide financial support for families affected by cancer, to enhance medical care for cancer patients in the Fox Cities, and to fund cancer research in Wisconsin.
But this isn’t my foundation, this is my mom’s foundation, it’s my sisters’ foundation, and if you, or your family, have been affected by cancer, it’s your foundation too. Together we can MAKE A DIFFERENCE, HELP A FAMILY, and we will ROCK CANCER!!
Life IS Good,
Jim Spierings
President, Spierings Cancer Foundation
FUND DISTRIBUTION
The Money We Raise Stays in Wisconsin
We are most proud of the fact that the 90% of the money raised is returned directly to our own community.
We work with healthcare professionals at local cancer centers and others in the community to identify families in need of financial support. Fully 40% of the money we raise is used to help families through our Family Grant Program. We use 30% of the money to support local cancer centers, funding the purchase of much-needed equipment and services. Research is important to all of us, so 20% of money raised is allocated to support cancer research right here in the State of Wisconsin.
The remaining 10% of our funds is used for administrative purposes.
We hope you will support us.
WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED
Our focus is local. We raise money to help make a difference in medical research and treatment of cancer, help families in our community, and have the greatest impact locally.