CHAMPIONING

THE FIGHT

AGAINST

CANCER’S

FINANCIAL STRAIN

James L Hagedorn Cancer Charity: 

Providing Holistic Financial Support to Cancer Patients and Their Families

The James L Hagedorn Cancer Charity aims to alleviate the financial stress faced by cancer patients and their families by covering not only medical expenses but also the hidden, unanticipated costs that arise during the battle against cancer. Founded by a couple who personally experienced these challenges, the charity's mission is to ensure that patients can focus all their mental and emotional energy on fighting cancer, without worrying about the financial burdens.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the James L. Hagedorn Cancer Charity founded in my late husband's memory.

My husband and I were married in December, 2018. Exactly two months following our wedding, Jim was diagnosed with Stage Four Kidney Cancer. Unlike most newlyweds, the entirety of our marriage was with the backdrop of fighting cancer.

Nothing in life can accurately prepare anyone for the journey that becomes fighting cancer. Outside of treatment and regular doctor’s visits, there are many other unexpected costs that arise. These costs range from hotel night stays, to purchasing tanks of oxygen, to renting short-term housing to be near treatment centers, and much more.

MISSION

The mission of the James L. Hagedorn Cancer Charity, Inc. is to help individuals fighting cancer, by providing financial resources to support medical care and other costs associated with fighting cancer.

The James L. Hagedorn Cancer Charity will support cancer patients and their families who face the same challenges that James Hagedorn and his wife Jennifer Carnahan faced throughout their three year fight against cancer.

GOALS

  • We want to help individuals fighting cancer fight cancer.

  • We don’t want the cancer patient or their family to have to worry about the costs of medical care, costs of travel, costs of lodging, costs of supplemental nutrition or other needs arising as a result of fighting cancer.

  • We want the cancer patient and their family to be fully focused on beating cancer and getting the best treatment possible.

HOW WE HELP

INDIVIDUAL GRANTS

The charity will aim to support those affiliated with cancer through individual grants to help with medical and supplemental costs of fighting cancer.

Through a referral based program in partnership with local hospitals and cancer treatment centers, community leaders and other similar non-profit organizations, grants will be awarded based on need.

Additionally, grants will be considered and awarded through direct applications through the James L. Hagedorn Cancer Charity website.

FOUNDATION DONATIONS

The charity organization is committed to supporting local foundations and charities with values akin to the James L. Hagedorn Cancer Charity. Recognizing their need for additional financial resources, our aim is to bolster their work, extending our reach to a larger demographic.

These local entities deeply impact their regional communities, addressing needs that affect many individuals. Our goal is not just monetary support, but to empower them to create sustainable change, collectively driving forward the fight against cancer and other humanitarian issues.

About Jim

Jim was born in Blue Earth, Minnesota on August 4, 1962 and grew up in Truman. Jim grew up an avid Twins and Vikings fan and even when his family relocated to Washington D.C.; he still kept cheering for his hometown favorites.

Jim's lifelong dream was to serve the country in Congress. After running three times unsuccessfully, Jim made history on November 6, 2018 when he was elected to serve Minnesota's First Congressional District in the United States Congress. Just a month after the election, Jim and Jennifer were married. Two months after that Jim was diagnosed with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer.

Despite the diagnosis, Jim's energy and outlook on life stayed positive. Jim continued to complete his work for his constituents and flew back and forth between Minnesota and Washington D.C. every week and traveled across all 21 counties in his district to represent the people that elected him.

Even in his final days of life, Jim expressed his appreciation for getting to live his dream and get married to the woman of his dreams before he passed away.

Jim always wanted everyone to have hope and help and we hope to make him proud as we strive to help others battling cancer.

About Jennifer

Jennifer’s life was turned upside down when she lost her husband to cancer on February 17, 2022.  After taking some time to grieve and live out her husband’s dying wishes for her; Jennifer immediately got to work and started building a charity in her late husband’s memory.  

Nothing in life can accurately prepare anyone for the journey of fighting cancer.  

Jennifer wanted to make sure that other individuals or families in the same situation as she was in, have the financial support and resources necessary so they can remove the stress of how to pay the bills and focus on taking every step possible to beat cancer. 

Jennifer knows her husband would be proud of her for her efforts and is smiling down on her from heaven.