WE ARE ABOVE + BEYOND CANCER

Above + Beyond Cancer is a public charity with a mission to elevate the lives of those touched by cancer, to create a healthier world.

What We Do

Founded in 2011 by Des Moines, Iowa Oncologist Dr. Richard Deming, Above + Beyond Cancer provides evidence-based, free programs for cancer survivors and the community that promote recovery and prevention. These programs include fitness, yoga, meditation, cycling, personalized plans, nutrition classes, urban pole walking, outdoor adventures, book club, and a cancer education series.

We Lead

Our team also leads cancer survivors on incredible adventures. Above + Beyond Cancer journeys have led participants to places like Mount Everest Base Camp, Machu Picchu and the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, but our work isn’t about getting to the tops of mountains. Through our transformational journeys, the cancer survivors and caregivers who participate inspire the public by their advocacy and by being examples of healthy living and cancer prevention in their communities.

We Believe

  • Everyone’s life is touched by cancer.

  • Cancer is a mind-body-spirit journey.

  • Health, fitness and good nutrition are critical to prevention and survivorship.

  • Patients and survivors can be empowered to pursue ambitious goals.

  • Survivor and caregiver storytelling bring understanding and hope.

  • Good public policy can help reduce cancer.

Be Inspired!

READ SURVIVOR STORIES SHARED BY FOUR LOCAL INDIVIDUALS.

Watch Life Begin Again

OUR FOUNDER

Dr. Richard Deming

Dr. Richard Deming is medical director of Mercy Cancer Center in Des Moines, Iowa. He received a bachelor’s degree at South Dakota State University and his medical degree at Creighton University. Dr. Deming is known in the community for the compassionate care he provides cancer patients and their families. He is involved in many national, state and community organizations and is the recipient of numerous awards. He was awarded the Lane Adams Award by the American Cancer Society for excellence and compassion in patient care. He is the recipient of “the one hundred” Award by Massachusetts General Hospital for his work with cancer survivors. He was awarded the Iowa Cancer Champion Award for his tireless efforts in the field of advocacy. He is dedicated to the principals of human dignity, social justice, and compassion. His greatest ambition is to encourage others to pursue lives of meaning, purpose, passion and compassion.

Photo of Doctor Richard Deming

Our Team

  • Headshot of Alissa McKinney

    Alissa McKinney

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Alissa McKinney has over 24 years of experience in development. She took a brief hiatus from the non-profit world but realized her heart was full when helping others. During her time at the UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Foundation, she served as the Senior Director of Development and Director of Development for Blank Children’s Hospital for 18 years. During her tenure she focused on the endowment, annual and capital campaigns for the hospital and the annual Festival of Trees & Lights event. She also brings a depth of experience with donor cultivation and stewardship to help enhance and expand programs. Before her work at the Foundation, she worked in political and nonprofit fundraising in Iowa and Texas.

    Involved in the community, she currently serves as an Iowa 4H Foundation Trustees, Ballet Des Moines Capital Campaign committee member and on the Board of Christian Stewardship at Plymouth Church.

    Alissa has two children, Emma and Isabel who both live in Washington DC. She shares her life with her partner Matt Gannon, two cats and one sassy corgi.

    You can reach Alissa at alissa@aboveandbeyondcancer.org

  • Mary Van Heukelom

    PROGRAM DIRECTOR

    Mary Van Heukelom co-creates and leads the Optimal Living for Cancer Survivor Programs. She trains, educates and coaches cancer survivors to reduce the chance of relapse, and enhance recovery, through the implementation of holistic personal wellness programs that address all aspects of healthy living. Mary is a Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer and Wellness Coach (MA, CPT-CET-ACSM) who leads the Total Training Class, a small group personal training program for survivors at the Wellmark YMCA of Des Moines, teaches Urban Pole Walking, Hike + Yoga, and facilitates book club, cycle club, and nutrition and cooking classes. She guides the Adventure Fitness Programs and Forest Bathing, to promote healthy engagement outdoors. Mary trained, trekked and led Cancer Survivor teams to the Base Camp of Mt. Everest, Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kailash in Tibet, and Huayna Picchu in Peru. As a certified running coach she participated in Coast to Coast for Cancer and co- coached Above + Beyond Cancer’s 2012 Race Across America cycling team. Her professional life purpose is to inspire others to discover their Optimal Health, of body, mind and spirit. She loves adventure, the outdoors, and time with her young adults children, Anna and Luke.

    You can reach Mary at mary@aboveandbeyondcancer.org

  • Kelsey Parker

    OPERATIONS MANAGER

    Kelsey Parker has more than 15 years of experience working with nonprofits throughout the Des Moines metro and currently serves as the Operations Manager for Above + Beyond Cancer. Kelsey’s passion has always been helping people and is motivated by staying busy and productive to help strengthen teams and achieve goals. When she isn’t working, Kelsey is usually running from one activity to the next to cheer for one of her three children Abigail, Bryce, and Ira. Kelsey, her husband Dave, and their family love adventure, being outdoors hiking, camping, or kayaking and pushing themselves to try new things – just like Above + Beyond Cancer strives to do with cancer survivors and caregivers!

    You can reach Kelsey via email at Kelsey@aboveandbeyondcancer.org

  • Becky Pospisal

    DIRECTOR OF MISSION DELIVERY

    Becky joined the Above + Beyond Cancer team in 2023 and works primarily on events and marketing. Her goal is to streamline the branding and elevate the mission of Above + Beyond Cancer by connecting more people to incredible things happening within. A former small business owner and non-profit executive, Becky brings years of experience promoting efforts she cares about in her community. This work is especially important to her as both of her parents have cancer.

    Becky can be found trying to visit every national park, watching or playing sports, drinking way too much coffee and enjoying live music. Her favorite activity of all is spending time with her children Mara, Noel and Flyn.

    You can reach Becky at becky@aboveandbeyondcancer.org.

Meet the Teachers

  • Mary Van Heukelom

    Leads: Total Training for Cancer Survivors, Urban Pole Walking, Hike + Yoga, Sound Healing, Forest Bathing, Book Club, Cycle Club, Cooking + Nutrition Classes, and Adventure Fitness

  • Pete Langston

    Leads: Recovery + Beyond, and Urban Pole Walking

  • Carol

    Carol Stephens

    Leads: Recovery + Beyond

  • Tim Woods

    Leads: Aquatics to Restore Health

  • Dan Noyce

    Leads: Kinstretch

  • Ashlie Van Horn

    Leads: Urban Pole Walking

  • Tanya Boyle

    Leads: Urban Pole Walking

  • Alyson Matney

    Leads: Yoga4Cancer

  • Melissa Walker

    Leads: Gentle Yoga

  • Fred Nelson

    Leads: Meditation and Hike + Yoga

  • Melissa Bach

    Leads: Sound Healing + Reiki

  • Devon Boes

    Leads: Urban Pole Walking

  • Ami Hokomoto

    Ami Hokomoto

    Leads: Row + Renew

Board of Directors

  • Lyndi Buckingham-Schutt - Iowa State University

  • Shawn Burke

    Shawn Burke - Retired, Thomson Reuters

  • Chris Costa

    Chris Costa - Knapp Properties, Inc.

  • Chuck + Diane Cutler - Cutler Law Firm

  • Rob Danna - ITA Group, Inc.

  • Dr. Richard Deming - MercyOne Deming Cancer Center

  • Rick Exline - Retired, LCS

  • Rachel Fyfe - UnityPoint John Stoddard Cancer Center

  • Cheryl Harding - Retired Health Insurance Executive

  • Jason Herrig - Weitz Corporation

  • Dr. Amy Hughes - Mission Cancer + Blood

  • Kevin Kann - American Cancer Society

  • Jenna Knox

    Jenna Knox - Mission Cancer + Blood

  • Becky Moomey - Bankers Trust Company

  • Morgan Newman - Cervivor.org

  • Dr. Jeff Nichols - Broadlawns Medical Center

  • Dr. Andy Nish - Unity Point John Stoddard Cancer Center

  • Erin Sawhill

    Erin Sawhill, LISW - Erin Sawhill, LLC

  • Kelly Schall - Realty One Group

  • Dr. Christi Taylor - The McFarland Clinic

  • Tray Wade - EveryStep

  • Michael Zimmerman - RipRoar Events LLC

Our Partners