CONTRIBUTED PHOTO L to R- Grace Hardon, Catherine Hardon, Danielle Hardon, Marty Hardon, Dr. George Wiener, Dr. Erin Talbert, all take a break and smile for a photo to commemorate their day on the hill.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in June 2022 left Marty Hardon with an “I won’t let this beat me” attitude. After going through surgery and treatment for nearly a year before being cancer free in late May 2023, the well known Tama businessman’s story of survivorship has led him to be a part of change and focus on cancer advocacy.

Falling outside of the screening window for prostate cancer when diagnosed, the only reason Hardon’s cancer was caught happened because of a change in primary care physician and some abnormal blood work. Not wanting to let others rely on sheer luck like he stumbled into, Hardon’s advocacy comes in the form of sharing his story, advocating for education about early screening, and proper funding for cancer research. Marty currently sits on the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Advisor Board which is based out of the University of Iowa.

When the opportunity arose to travel to Washington D.C. alongside Dr. George Wiener and Dr. Erin Talbert to help advocate for cancer research and its funding, it was an immediate yes from Marty who opted to bring his wife and kids on the trip too. The trip was put together by the American Association of Cancer Institutes and the American Association of Cancer Research.

During the course of his time in D.C. the Hardon’s spent time visiting with Senator Chuck Grassley, staff from Joni Ernst’s office, and staff from Ashley Hinson’s office, who helped the family in lining up tours and showing them around the capitol facilities.

During the trip to D.C., the group advocated for bipartisan efforts towards funding research, anticipating the proposed budget and its implications towards cancer research, and spreading a message of awareness and advancement.

Speaking towards the advocacy brought more recently by Marty was his wife Danielle.

“What you’ve seen since then from Marty is a doubling down and a commitment to serve others. Taking time away from work to go to these things and to advocate on behalf of not just people who have cancer now but down the road will be dealing with cancer,” she said. “I think that continues his father’s legacy of community service just taking on a bit of a different shape with Marty.”

The same sentiments were echoed by Marty himself.

“Because I had such a successful treatment and successful process I feel like I need to give back, I don’t really know that path but I’m figuring it out,” he said.

His advocacy journey and finding his path has taken the family all over the state and country. Marty had the privilege to throw out the first pitch at a Cedar Rapids Kernels game as a part of his journey, a memory he remembered so very fondly.

“That was embarrassing, but it’s all for a great cause,” he said.

Both Marty and Danielle would like to encourage screening and testing, showing a don’t wait until it’s too late attitude.

“Get tested, whether you have symptoms or not. Whether you feel good or not, you never know what might be there. Treatment is much simpler if you know early,” he said.