01/06/2026
✨Another generous thanks from Fairview Range Medical Oncology, Radiation Therapy, and Infusion Teams including patient stories. ✨
Dear CMMF Foundation,
The Medical Oncology, Radiation Therapy, and Infusion teams would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous gift to our departments in 2025. Your support has made a direct impact on our patients by providing both gasoline and grocery gift cards. These cards have benefited 50 patients, most of whom live below the federal poverty line and face significant expenses related to cancer treatments. Many patients who received gas cards travel long distances for each appointment—sometimes 25 or more visits, totaling 204+ miles per day and over 5,000 miles throughout their treatment cycle. The gas cards have been especially helpful for patients traveling daily to and from International Falls for their treatments.
Our patients have expressed deep gratitude for CMMF’s generosity and have shared heartfelt feedback about how these gifts have supported them. Please find some of their stories below.
One cancer patient has chronic back pain and has had to make many trips to Duluth. He does not have a vehicle to drive himself; therefore, we were able to give a gas gift card to a friend of his to take him to and from his appointments.
One patient and his spouse are both dealing with a cancer diagnosis, causing them to both retire and live on social security. It has been difficult making ends meet, and they both greatly appreciated the grocery and gas gift cards.
One patient noted, very appreciatively, “it’s help like this that keeps me going during uncertain and scary times.” These gifts have provided hope for patients going through an uncertain and scary battle of a cancer diagnosis.
One patient has been out of work for 3 months and does not have the opportunity for long-term disability through her employer. She currently has $0.00 in income and has been relying on the support of her sisters to help pay accumulating bills. She’s been threatened with being sent to collections. With the support of local non-profit gifts and the support of the CMMF foundation, the patient says she feels “a lot better” knowing there is help to get her through her treatments.
Many patients who have been advised to drink Ensure drinks to gain weight and maintain adequate nutrition have benefited from grocery cards, as they live on a limited income and find these supplemental beverages very costly.
One patient who was $1,000 behind in rent benefited greatly from having extra money she would have put towards groceries to be put towards her rent bill, instead.
These are only a few patient stories. Many have expressed appreciation and gratitude for the funding from CMMF.
Our teams see firsthand how your support has made a noticeable difference in the lives of these patients. We appreciate your support so much!
With gratitude,
The Medical Oncology, Radiation Therapy, and Infusion teams
Donations that you make to CMMF are able to make a difference at Fairview and out in the community. To learn more or donate, please visit
On behalf of everyone at the Central Mesabi Medical Foundation, we are grateful for your support, your partnership, and your investment in a healthier future.Your generosity makes an impact by strengthening our ability to provide high-quality care to patients and families,...
