Nylen Foundation Boosts Winter Benefit

The June E. Nylen Cancer Center’s 15th Annual Winter Benefit held at the Marina Inn, Saturday, March 2 raised more than $272,000.00 thanks to strong support from the Mark and Mary Ellen Nylen Foundation, sponsors and the 300+ people who attended the events. Physicians and their wives, Dr. Greg Naden and Jeanette and Dr. Sudarshan Doddabele and Latha co-chaired the event.“The money raised this year will help purchase new SBRT (stereotactic body radiation therapy). Community support from our sponsors and many other donors in the past several years has helped us make dramatic advances in cancer treatment at the Nylen Cancer Center,” says Karen Van De Steeg, executive director. “New equipment will complement “Trilogy” which provides the most accurate and up to date radiation treatment in the area.”Carrying a theme of “Cupcakes and Snowflakes” guests enjoyed an two-entree meal with all the trimmings and a jumbo cupcake for dessert. Bruce Miller of the Sioux City Journal served as master of ceremonies, David Jones from Sioux Falls provided the entertainment. Becky Vardaman from Hinton, IA shared her video story of her journey with breast cancer. A live and silent auction added more than $30,000 to the total raised.Premier sponsors for the cancer center fundraiser were the Mark and Mary Ellen Nylen Foundation and Klinger Companies/Gleeson Foundation. Other top sponsors were Mike and Margie Bennett, Midlands Clinic, P.C., Pyramid Technologies, the family of David Leo Carlson, Chesterman Co., Avery Bros. Sign Co. and Pacific City Graphics.“This year we changed up our theme. While the cupcakes were a big hit, no one seemed to miss the snowflakes,” says Van De Steeg. “One hundred percent of the funds raised stay right here in Siouxland.”The June E. Nylen Cancer Center is one of only a few freestanding treatment centers of its kind in the Midwest. Using a holistic approach, they offer state-of-the-art treatment, technology, expert care, education information, counseling and support services. Serving patients in 33 counties in the tri-state area with patient visits averaging 175 a day and exceeding over 35,000 a year. The most frequently treated are lung, prostate, breast and colon cancers.