Cook Cancer Wellness Program

We understand that each person’s cancer journey is unique, with their own combination of cancer type, treatments, medical history and challenges. The Cook Cancer Wellness Program addresses the specific needs of each patient by assessing your own journey, and providing you with a customized wellness plan to help you lead a healthy life.

The Cook Cancer Wellness Program has three components - exercise, nutrition and quality of life support. While not every component may be relevant to your situation, we work to put together the perfect plan for your needs.

The Cook Cancer Program is made up of a team of healthcare professionals from St. Luke's Hospital:

  • Breast Care Coordinator – a registered nurse who helps patients and families understand their diagnosis and works side-by-side to help them through treatment and recovery.
  • Lung Care Coordinator --a registered nurse with oncoloogy experience. This individual works with patients so they understand their condition and what is ahead for them regarding treatment. Also recommends programs to help improve quality of life.
  • Cancer Risk Counselor --is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner with additional training in genetics and cancer risk counseling. She provides cancer risk assessment, genetic counseling and testing, referrals and follow-up care for at-risk individuals.   
  • Certified Oncology Social Worker - is available to provide support for you and your family. This includes coping with a cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship; caregiver stress; helping children/teens better understand cancer; community resources and financial issues.
  • Cancer Wellness Dietitian -- can help guide patients in their search for valuable information about poor appetite, ideal weight, supplements or other nutrition concerns.
  • Cancer Exercise Specialist -- identifies exercise goals based on the patient's unique needs and limitations.

Music Therapy
Listening to music or participating in sessions with trained music therapists can ease a cancer patients’ anxiety. Music may also have positive effects on their mood, pain and quality of life, according to Joke Bradt of the department of creative arts therapies at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Bradt and colleagues examined evidence from 1,891 cancer patients who took part in 13 trials that used music therapists and 17 trials that used pre-recorded music. Compared to standard treatments, music was associated with a considerable reduction in anxiety, along with benefits in mood, pain, heart and respiratory rates and blood pressure.
This class is offered on Wednesday’s, April 4th – May 9th from 5 - 5:45 p.m.
Please call 319/369-7116 to register. (Space is limited)

All classes are held at St. Luke’s Cook Cancer Wellness building, 810 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids.

For more information, e-mail us or call the Cancer Wellness coordinator at 319/369-7116. To receive ongoing updates from St. Luke's Cancer Care, sign up for the Connections cancer newsletter.

If you would like to register for the Cook Cancer Wellness Program please fill out this form.

Patient Anne Bromley of Marion talks about her experience with the Cook Cancer Wellness Program in this St. Luke's Healthbeat Report video.

Patients can go through the Cook Cancer Wellness Program for free thanks to a generous gift from the family of Jane Borg Cook. Although there is no fee associated with this program, your health insurance is utilized for some components.

About Jane Borg Cook

Jane Borg Cook of Cedar Rapids lost her battle with breast cancer in 2008. In her memory, her family - Rob, Jennifer, Katy and Robbie - provided the leading gift for the Cook Cancer Wellness Program at St. Luke's. The program is free for cancer patients and helps improve their quality of life through physical, nutritional and psychosocial support.

If you are interested in helping cancer patients by making a contribution to the Cook Cancer Wellness Program, contact
St. Luke's Health Care Foundation at 319/369-7716.