MAYO CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM, Fairmont, Minn. (October 28, 2019) – The Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund is expanding its reach to the Fairmont area, partnering with Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont to serve the area’s cancer patients well into the future.

The Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund, a donor-advised fund of the Mankato Area Foundation, was established in 2017 by Jonathan and Ginger Zierdt and a guiding coalition of engaged community leaders to build community cancer awareness and support. Its mission is to raise community awareness and provide support for those touched by cancer. Its vision is to help change the cancer journey.

In January of 2018, the Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund launched its signature program, the JZ Caring Box, which donates specially designed care packages to medical provider partners for distribution to patients diagnosed with cancer. Each JZ Caring Box contains items to provide support and comfort, as well as access to important information and resources for cancer patients, their families and caregivers. Since the program launched, the Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund has distributed more than 1,000 JZ Caring Boxes to cancer patients in the Mankato area.

“We are so pleased to be able to expand our Caring Box program to the Fairmont area. Our strong partnership with Mayo Clinic Health System, and the opening of their new Lutz Cancer Center, makes it possible for us to touch even more people at one of the most difficult times of their lives, and provide support to those diagnosed with cancer in the Fairmont region,” said Tami Paulsen, director of the Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund.

The partnership was announced at a news conference Monday, Oct. 28, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont, which recently celebrated the grand opening of the Lutz Cancer Center. The addition of the JZ Cancer Fund’s charitable efforts in Fairmont coincides with Mayo Clinic Health System's commitment to continually meeting the needs of oncology and infusion therapy patients, and providing them with high-quality, compassionate care every day.

“We are excited and thankful that the Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund is expanding into the area and that our patients will be touched by the organization’s great work,” said Marie Morris, M.D., Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont medical director.

Mayo Clinic Health System consists of clinics, hospitals and other health care facilities that serve the health care needs of people in more than 60 communities in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive the highest-quality health care close to home.

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