American Cancer Society of Nebraska

📢 Quick Update: Same smiles. Same stories. New place!​

This American Cancer Society of Nebraska page is merging into our American Cancer Society Facebook family. No action is needed from you; you’ll continue to see all the same inspiring local updates, now in one powerful place!

We are so excited to introduce ACS Empower: a new, holistic program supporting cancer patients and caregivers. From wellness services to community partnerships, this initiative will serve both guests and the greater community. We’re just getting started! 😎

“I'm a cancer survivor myself, so I thought I could best serve those who are now on their own cancer journey. Road To Recovery is the perfect fit. The process is super easy, and I can pick rides that fit well with my schedule. 🚘

My favorite memory so far has been driving a patient to his weekly dialysis because of kidney cancer. We struck up a really great friendship chatting about sports, and baseball in particular. After a while, he was approved to drive on his own, so he didn't need Road To Recovery anymore.

Coincidentally, we saw each other again at a meeting of shared interest a few months later and picked right back up. We joke that divine intervention brought us back together.” – Wally B.

🦸‍♀️ You can be a hero in someone’s story. Visit cancer.org/drive to volunteer with Road To Recovery.

🎗️ Cancer impacts every generation, and so does the fight to end it. Hannah P. joined ACS on Campus in honor of her grandma’s battle with melanoma.

“What began as a small spot on her shoulder spread to her brain, gradually taking away the qualities that made her the incredible person I’ve always known.”

To support others on their cancer journeys, Hannah volunteers as Fundraising Co-Chair, where she partners with local businesses to raise donations for our Hope Lodge communities. 💙

Hannah’s compassion and leadership remind us that the next generation isn’t just showing up — they’re leading the way.

Science that asks “why” and dares to answer with new hope. 💙✨ Thank you, Dr. Dykhuizen, for turning out the lights on cancer.

🧬 Every cell has a genetic light switch, but in cancer, the wrong ones get flipped.

At the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Dr. Emily Dykhuizen, PhD, is studying how cells decide which genes to turn on and off, and how this goes wrong in cancer. With support from our research grants, she’s working to develop new compounds that can help reset those switches and stop cancer in its tracks.

There’s a reason Myra Ray shines so brightly in the Relay community. She truly is a ray of hope. With a strong family history of cancer and her own diagnosis behind her, Myra brings empathy, strength, and a fierce sense of purpose to every step she takes.

💬 “I joined Relay For Life of the Cuming County Area - Nebraska because I understand the emotional toll a cancer diagnosis can take. I want to help others navigate that difficult path and let them know they’re not alone.”

As captain of Team Franciscan Healthcare, Myra draws on the values that shaped her: creativity, courage, and never being afraid to ask. She’s encouraging her team to think boldly and act with heart as they aim to raise awareness and exceed their goals!

Here’s to Myra and Team Franciscan Healthcare. They are proof that one person really can brighten the path for so many. 💜

🌟Catching the spirit of Relay? Join the movement that’s saving lives and spreading hope across communities. Visit relayforlife.org to find an event near you.

☀️ When Jeff noticed a sore on his foot that wouldn’t heal, he didn’t expect it to be skin cancer. But nearly a year later, he was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma that had spread to his lungs, lymph nodes, and possibly even his liver.

As Jeff courageously navigates treatment, he and his family face staggering out-of-pocket costs — over $15,000 a month, all while living far from home to be near his hospital.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in America, yet many people don’t realize how serious it can become. Early detection can save lives, but only if we stay vigilant.

Let’s protect our skin and each other:
🧴 Wear sunscreen
🧢 Cover up and seek shade
🔎 Check your skin regularly and talk to your doctor about any changes

As a dedicated team captain and a proud 25-year prostate cancer survivor, Jim Palzer's leadership and commitment to the American Cancer Society is in his DNA. 💪

Jim's journey with Relay began in 2004, but his connection to the cause started much earlier. He lost his mother to breast cancer in 1975, and his wife’s father to throat cancer in 1962. These deeply personal losses, paired with his own survivorship, have made this mission his calling.

Jim’s passion for service extends far beyond fundraising. As a volunteer driver with our Road To Recovery program, he’s helped countless patients get to treatment and found inspiration in their courage and optimism.

Thank you, Jim, for always going above and beyond. 💜 We can't wait for Relay For Life of Greater Omaha tomorrow! 🤩

Hope lives in Relay, and it’s waiting for you. Get involved and walk alongside a community that never stops fighting. ➡️relayforlife.org

We are beyond proud to introduce our 2025 Portraits of Hope Honorees - a group of individuals who embody resilience, hope, and the strength it takes to fight breast cancer. 💖

These are the faces of our movement. The voices of our why. And the stories that will stay with you long after you hear them.

Be sure to stay tuned to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Nebraska to meet each one and be moved by their journeys. 💪💕

Send a message to learn more

Samantha first joined the Relay For Life of Greater Omaha family years ago with a mission to make a difference, but that mission took on a whole new meaning when she was diagnosed with skin cancer. Refusing to let the diagnosis dim her light, Samantha leaned in harder, turning her journey into fuel for the fight.

A natural connector, Samantha is all about building community and rallying others around a shared purpose. This year, she’s taking her passion to new heights by teaming up with local small businesses, like her financial advisor, insurance agent, and even her favorite boutique, to raise awareness and amplify her impact. 🙌

Let’s send all the love and support to Samantha and Team Colors for a Cure as they help paint Omaha purple and push us closer to a world without cancer. 💪💫

Ready to walk alongside heroes like Samantha? Join the movement at relayforlife.org and help us light the way to hope. 💜

“Three years ago, on New Year’s Eve, my wife of 53 years was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. Just six months later, she was gone. She was a wonderful, miracle of a partner, and the loss still hurts every day. While I can’t bring her back, I realized I needed to find purpose again by showing up for others who need support.

That’s why I volunteer as a Road To Recovery driver. Every ride I give is a chance to honor her memory and offer comfort to someone going through their own battle.” – Wes M.

🚗 Help others find their way forward. Become a Road To Recovery volunteer today: cancer.org/drive