Brad Anderson, the Democratic candidate for Iowa secretary of state in 2014, has taken a new job as executive director of the Des Moines-based non-profit Above + Beyond Cancer. The official announcement is after the jump. The organization “takes cancer survivors on incredible adventures” in order “to elevate the lives of those touched by cancer” and provide “an example for healthy living and cancer prevention in their communities.”
A former staffer for Senator Tom Harkin and Governor Chet Culver, Anderson has worked on many Iowa campaigns, most famously as manager of President Barack Obama’s 2012 effort in Iowa. Although he lost last year’s secretary of state race to Republican Paul Pate, Anderson proposed a lot of good ideas and ended up winning more votes statewide than the top of the Democratic ticket. I’m sure the whole Bleeding Heartland community (regardless of partisan affiliation) wishes Anderson success in his new position. Most Iowans have been affected by cancer in some way, and there’s no question that “health, fitness and good nutrition” are important for preventing or surviving the disease.
UPDATE: On February 11, Anderson sent an e-mail blast to supporters of his campaign for Iowa secretary of state. Scroll down to read.
February 5 press release:
Above + Beyond Cancer Announces
Brad Anderson as New Executive Director(DES MOINES) – Today, Above + Beyond Cancer is proud to announce Brad Anderson as the organization’s new Executive Director. Above + Beyond Cancer is an Iowa-based non-profit organization dedicated to elevating the lives of those touched by cancer through inspiring journeys to create a healthier world.
“We are incredibly pleased to announce Brad Anderson as our new Executive Director,” said Dr. Richard Deming, founder of Above + Beyond Cancer and Medical Director at Mercy Cancer Center. “Brad’s enthusiasm, as well as his ability to lead organizations, communicate and raise awareness on important issues make him a perfect fit to join our tremendous group of volunteers and dedicated board members as we continue to grow.”Patients, physicians and decades of research have confirmed that physical activity combined with determination plays an essential role in treating cancer. Since 2011 Above + Beyond Cancer has served thousands of cancer survivors and caregivers through a variety of exercise, education and fellowship programs. In addition, the organization has gained national attention for taking cancer survivors and caregivers on transformational journeys to destinations such as Mount Everest base camp, and most recently Machu Picchu, Peru in September 2014.
“I am truly grateful to Dr. Deming and the Above + Beyond Cancer board for giving me the opportunity to be a part of something this important and inspiring,” said Brad Anderson. “I was very close to my grandmother who I lost rather suddenly to pancreatic cancer, and I know I am not alone. Like many Iowans over the years I have been in awe of the cancer patients who have climbed mountains, and the survivors and family members who have traveled incredible distances with a prayer flag in their pocket in memory of a loved one. Their journeys remind us all that cancer prevention and treatment must include strengthening the mind, body and spirit. My goal as Executive Director of Above + Beyond Cancer is to expand our reach so we can further our mission of elevating the lives of those touched by cancer.”
BRAD ANDERSON BIO:
Brad Anderson has worked on a variety of local, state and national campaigns and causes for more than a decade.
In 2001 Anderson began working for Sen. Tom Harkin assisting with policy research and communications. In 2002 Brad served as a senior member of Sen. Harkin’s re-election campaign communications team.
Brad joined Link Strategies in 2004, where he has advised campaigns and assisted local communities on referenda to create jobs, improve wellness, make communities safer, and improve conservation and water quality.
From 2007 through 2008 Anderson served as Communications Director for Iowa Governor Chet Culver. In that time Governor Culver signed into law several landmark pieces of legislation – including laws to ban smoking, increase the minimum wage and expand pre-school.
During the 2012 election cycle, Anderson served as President Barack Obama’s Iowa State Director, and in 2014 he was the Democratic nominee for Iowa Secretary of State.
Brad and his wife Lisa, along with their children Alice and Will, live in Des Moines with their dog Gracie Carmel. Lisa is a speech therapist, running her own small business, Small Talk Therapy.
February 11 e-mail blast from Brad Anderson (paid for by Anderson for Iowa, subject: My new role with Above + Beyond Cancer):
Thank you again for supporting my 2014 campaign for Iowa Secretary of State. With your help we received 509,202 votes, promoted the importance of voting rights statewide and came within 20,000 votes of winning in a very difficult year. I will always be proud of the positive campaign we ran, and grateful for your support.
Some of you have asked about my next steps, and I am very pleased to report I am taking over as the new Executive Director of Above + Beyond Cancer based here in Des Moines, Iowa. I’ve followed this organization closely since it was founded in 2011 and could not be more impressed with the incredible work done by the volunteers, dedicated board members and founder Dr. Dick Deming, without a doubt one of the most inspirational leaders in the state.
Above + Beyond Cancer’s mission is to elevate the lives of those touched by cancer to create a healthier world, and my goal is to grow the organization and expand our reach. If you have a couple minutes check out this video and see for yourself the courageous steps taken by cancer survivors as they climb mountains, and watch caregivers travel incredible distances with a prayer flag in their pocket in memory of a loved one. Their journeys remind us all that cancer prevention and treatment must include strengthening the mind, body and spirit.
For more info about Above + Beyond Cancer visit our website at www.aboveandbeyondcancer.org, or email me at brad@aboveandbeyondcancer.org.
Thank you for everything you have done to help me along the way. Please remain engaged, and stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Brad