Restorative Getaways
Long-weekend escapes away from home, created to offer peace, comfort, and a change of scenery beyond the clinical routine.
Living for Life Foundation
Life is more than treatment.
Living for Life Foundation is taking shape in Iowa to create opportunities for rest, connection, and meaningful time for people receiving ongoing chemotherapy and the spouses or caregivers beside them.
Chris’s story
Why Chris started Living for Life.
Chris Bertrand was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in October 2025. As a Chemo for Life patient, he receives treatment for three days every two weeks. The kindness of local charities and foundations helped ease that journey.
Living for Life Foundation is his way of giving back. He wants other patients and the spouses or caregivers beside them to have opportunities to rest, spend time together, and enjoy everyday life alongside ongoing treatment.
Our mission
Care for the life
around treatment.
Our focus is Iowa Chemo for Life patients—people receiving ongoing chemotherapy to manage chronic or advanced cancer—and the spouses or caregivers beside them.
We hope to offer experiences that bring comfort, companionship, and a welcome change of pace. Hope, compassion, renewal, connection, and joy guide what we’re building.
What we’re building
A break from the routine.
Time for what matters.
These are examples of the restorative experiences envisioned for Iowa patients and the people beside them. Specific programs and eligibility are not available yet.
Time With What Matters
Opportunities to visit family, share meaningful time, or attend programs that support the body, mind, and spirit.
Everyday Relief
Simple restorative moments—such as services from local businesses—that bring care and breathing room to patients and caregivers.
For patients & families
Have a question
about what’s ahead?
Program details and eligibility are not available yet. When they are ready, updates will be shared for Iowa Chemo for Life patients and the spouse or caregiver beside them.
Patients and families are welcome to contact Chris or Kathy with questions about the foundation as it develops.
Support the mission
Help make room for life beyond treatment.
Living for Life Foundation is still taking shape. If you would like to support the mission or stay informed as the work develops, Chris and Kathy would be glad to hear from you.
Living for Life Foundation has applied for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS, and our application is currently pending.
If our application is not approved, we will contact donors directly to discuss next steps regarding their contribution. Donors should consult with their tax advisor regarding the deductibility of contributions while our application is pending.
Interested in donating?
Please contact Chris or Kathy if you are wanting to donate or help the foundation.
Online donations are not being accepted through this website at this time. They can share the current options and answer any questions you may have.
Mailing address Living for Life Foundation PO Box 474 Grimes, IA 50111