Donor Spotlight: Linda Semon

Providing support for cancer patients and their families in their time of need is something Linda Semon holds near to her heart.

Take a moment and imagine you or your loved one has just been diagnosed with cancer. Everything in that instant has just changed. Linda experienced this firsthand when her husband, Dr. William Semon, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was treated at MercyOne Des Moines Cancer Center.

“When Bill was diagnosed, I learned how cancer and cancer treatment affects everything in your life on a daily basis,” said Linda.

Linda expressed feeling so thankful that she was able to be by Bill’s side throughout his illness; but she is also aware that individual circumstances differ and that sometimes financial issues overshadow our ability to be where we want to be, both emotionally and physically.

“The morning after Bill passed away I was asked where I wanted memorial donations to go, and the thought that came to mind was that I wished I could take whatever was donated and go to the cancer center and just give it to patients who were struggling,” said Linda.

Linda worked with Cancer Center Director, Dr. Richard Deming and MercyOne Des Moines Foundation and founded the William J. Semon Family Resource Fund in her husband’s memory. The purpose of this fund is to bring relief and hopefully a little joy to patients who are facing a difficult financial situation. Since its creation in 2011, the Semon Fund has impacted more than 600 cancer patients.

“The Semon Fund is exactly what I wanted it to be,” said Linda. “It provides help and support directly to patients for whatever it is that they happen to need.”

“We are able to take a little bit of the pressure off today so that patients can concentrate on getting better.”

This fund is unique in that it directly and immediately supports cancer patients without a tedious or time consuming application process. Working with the Foundation to provide support, funds are distributed at the discretion of the nurse navigators who care for the patients and know their needs.

Linda expressed that she knows that what this fund is able to provide is very small in the greater scheme of things; but cancer treatment is one day at a time, and if this fund can make today a little easier, then tomorrow may be a little brighter.

“It warms my heart to hear some of the stories that the nurse navigators have shared,” said Linda.

“I know that we can’t take the place of other more major forms of assistance available to patients, but we can help buy groceries for dinner tonight, we can buy gas to get them to and from treatment tomorrow, and we can pay an overdue utility bill or help with co-pays which allows them to start their treatments sooner rather than later. These are just some of the things that we can do, thanks to the generosity of those who have helped to support this fund.”

Thanks to donor support, the Semon Fund continues to impact the lives of cancer patients. Linda is grateful for all who have contributed to this fund and hopes it continues to grow and touch more lives. She hopes that people know their contribution is making a direct and lasting impact in the lives of those who are struggling.

“I want those who have been impacted through this fund to know that it is an honor to support them and that I understand what they and their families are going through,” said Linda.

For Giving Tuesday 2020, we have a goal of raising $5,000 for the Semon Fund. Linda has generously agreed to match all gifts, up to $5,000. For more information visit MercyOne.org/desmoinesfoundation/giving-tuesday.

“We give to what touches our heart and this touches mine,” said Linda.

For more information on how you can support MercyOne Des Moines Cancer Center, please contact MercyOne Des Moines Foundation Senior Director of Development Joan Bindel at 515-643-8020 or JBindel@mercydesmoines.org.