Download a copy of the Cancer Resource Center brochure.

The affects of cancer are varied for every patient and caregiver, and a diagnosis can bring on a myriad of emotions and overwhelming information.

Winneshiek Medical Center is committed to serving the needs of area cancer patients by providing coordinated support and sound information with the newly developed Cancer Resource Center.  The Cancer Resource Center is a free and convenient way for area cancer patients and their caregivers to access resources that may assist them on their journey with cancer.  One simple phone call will connect patients with WMC health professionals who will guide them to resources meeting each individual need.  We are the connection.  We can help.

Winneshiek Medical Center staff works to improve quality of life for patients needing specialized care, and much of that specialized care can be found close to home.  In addition to Gundersen Lutheran and Franciscan Skemp Healthcare oncologists treating patients locally, the WMC Same Day Services department has compassionate staff who provide treatment for cancer and chronic illnesses and are certified by the Oncology Nursing Society.  WMC also provides spiritual and bereavement support, offer social work, nutrition, home health and hospice care and benefit from partnerships with the American Cancer Society and Iowa Cancer Consortium. 

Contact the Cancer Resource Center to find out how we can help you.  Call 563.387.3046 to learn more.

Cancer Resources

We will strive to help you meet your physical, social, emotional, or spiritual needs.  These services are available locally - in Decorah - close to home.

Spiritual Support - Winneshiek Medical Center has a solid relationship with the area Ministerial Association.  We support your choice to bring your spiritual practices as part of your treatment and healing.

Bereavement Support - Cancer and loss brings on a series of complex emotions.  We understand that everyone's experience is different and our bereavement program is designed to help work though pain and other aspects of grief with the support of others. 

Social Worker - The Winneshiek Medical Center social worker provides psychosocial and emotional support to you and your family.  Our social worker also can connect you to:

• Transportation options
• Financial assistance
• Home Care/Hospice
• Insurance information
• Support groups
• Power of Attorney for Health Care/Advanced Directives
• Other WMC cancer resources

Registered Dietitian - The registered dietitian at Winneshiek Medical Center will help you design a nutrition plan to meet your needs, plus:

• Assess your nutritional status
• Develop a plan to meet your nutrition needs during/after treatment
• Help to reduce side effects of treatment through counseling and support
• Provide information about nutrition for cancer prevention
• Provide educational materials on nutrition and cancer

Oncologists - Outreach oncologists from Franciscan Skemp Healthcare and Gundersen Lutheran provide care at Winneshiek Medical Center.

American Cancer Society Connections - Staff at Winneshiek Medical Center can connect you to an American Cancer Society (ACS) Navigator.  An ACS Navigator can provide the following:

• Connection to the American Cancer Society and community-based programs
• Access to medical equipment
• Transportation
• Wigs, hats, turbans and prostheses
• Links to financial resources

Iowa Cancer Consortium Member - The Iowa Cancer Consortium is dedicated to working to reduce the burden of cancer in our state.  They provide education on prevention, detection and treating cancer, care for survivors and clinical research.  As a member of the Consortium, Winneshiek Medical Center can connect you with these resources.

Home Health & Palliative Care - Home Health is a simple term that involves a wide range of health and social services that are delivered in your home by a variety of health care providers.  The Home Health team at WMC works to make sure that the patient and caregivers have the resources they need in order to manage their medical and other health needs at home.  Palliative care is focused on relief of the pain, stress and other debilitation symptoms.  At WMC, a key benefit of palliative care is that is customized treatment to meet the individual needs of each patient. 

Hospice - The WMC Hospice team provides a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient's needs and wishes.  Hospice is provided to anyone, regardless of your ability to pay.

Volunteers - Volunteers can play an important role in your cancer care.  Through their caring presence and support, they offer:

• Reassuring and listening presence during treatment and home visits
• Professional Reiki
• Program support, and more

Complementary Cancer Therapies (from MayoClinic.com)

Many people with cancer are interested in trying complementary and alternative cancer treatments. If cancer makes you feel as though you have little control over your health, alternative cancer treatments may offer some hope. But many alternative cancer treatments are unproved and dangerous.

To help you sort out the good from the bad, here are 11 alternative cancer treatments that are generally safe. Plus, there is some evidence that these 11 alternative cancer treatments may provide some benefit.

Cancer Prevention

Prevention and Early Detection from the American Cancer Society link.

Helpful Contacts and Links

Cancer Organizations

American Cancer Society -- 1-800-ACS-2345 or 1-800-227-2345

Cancer Care -- 1-800-813-HOPE or 1-800-813-4673

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society -- 1-800-955-4LSA or 1-800-955-4572

National Cancer Institute -- 1-800-4-CANCER or 1-800-422-6237

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship -- 1-877-NCCS-YES or 1-877-622-7937

National Assistance

Social Security -- 1-800-772-1213

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization -- 1-800-658-8898

State Assistance

Iowa Commissioner of Insurance -- 1-877-955-1212

Minnesota Commissioner of Insurance -- 1-800-657-3602

Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance -- 1-800-236-8517

Health Insurance Coverage for the Hard to Insure

Iowa Comprehensive Health Association -- 1-800-877-5156

Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association -- 1-866-894-8053

Wisconsin Health Insurance Risk Sharing Program -- 1-800-828-4777

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs

Iowa's Priority Prescription Savings Program -- 1-866-282-5817

Minnesota's Prescription Drug Program -- 1-800-333-2433

Wisconsin Prescription Drug Patient Asst. Program -- 1-800-762-4636

Wisconsin SeniorCare Prescription Drug Asst. Program -- 1-800-657-2038

Legal Services

Iowa Concern Hotline -- 1-800-447-1985

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services -- 1-651-228-9823

Western Wisconsin Legal Services -- 1-608-785-2809

Web sites

Winneshiek Medical Center -- http://www.winmedical.org

Mayo Clinic -- http://www.mayoclinic.org

Fransican Skemp Healthcare -- http://www.mayohealthsystem.org

Gundersen Lutheran -- http://www.gundluth.org

Iowa Cancer Consortium -- http://www.canceriowa.org