The Heart Connection Children's Cancer Programs, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has provided support services and programs for children with cancer and their families since 1988. The organization sponsors two week-long summer camps for children with cancer and their siblings. Approximately 300 children attend the annual camp programs designed to help them briefly escape cancer’s effects. The Heart Connection Children's Cancer Programs also provides support groups, outings to events such as Disney on Ice, and weekend retreats for an additional 450 family members throughout the year.



The Heart Connection Children's Cancer Programs provides these services for all children diagnosed and/or treated in Iowa. This includes children from every corner of the state, as well as children from western Illinois and Southeastern South Dakota.



The Heart Connection Children's Cancer Programs provides the only summer camp in Iowa devoted exclusively to children with cancer, and the sibling program was one of the first of its kind in the nation. Summer camps are provided at no cost to the families because of generous support from both individuals and organizations. Outings, weekend retreats, and hospital based programs are provided at little or no cost to participants and no one is ever turned away from an activity because of an inability to pay.