We Are Rooting For You!

Welcome to

Cancer Respite Sanctuary

We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3)

Apply for a FREE Sanctuary Stay

Root 2 Leaf Sanctuary is dedicated to supporting cancer patients AND their loved ones by offering FREE stays in a peaceful, restorative natural setting.

Apply For a Stay

Our Mission

Root 2 Leaf is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting cancer patients AND their loved ones by offering FREE stays in a peaceful, restorative natural setting. Located near Dubuque, Iowa, Root 2 Leaf offers families a peaceful place to pause, breathe, and reconnect away from the stressors of medical demands and the constant reminders of illness.

Our Vision

We envision building a special sanctuary that will assist all persons involved in the cancer journey by promoting the following core standards of wellness: Family & community Movement Stress reduction Nature Nutrition Reflection

Our Values

We are drawn to help others find internal peace by spreading love & compassion to strangers as we redefine cancer respite.
We believe experiences of both pain and joy are NOT compartmentalized into isolation. Rather, these emotions fundamentally connect us as one whole being; this is why we are committed to helping those we do not know.
We respect and are open to each other’s ideas wholeheartedly. We will think BIG, willingly taking RISK, and never think small. We will rely on each other's energy and knowledge to achieve our goals.
We BRAVELY BELIEVE: “What is the BEST thing that can happen?”

Follow along on our journey

May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month, a time to shed light on a diagnosis that changes everything in an instant.

On April 14, 2024, our lives were forever altered when Rick experienced his first symptoms of what we would later learn was Glioblastoma.

May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month, a time that holds a very deep and personal meaning for our family and the heart of Root 2 Leaf.

Just over two years ago, our world changed when Rick—a beloved husband and father—was diagnosed with Glio

Finding peace in the middle of a difficult journey is often the first step toward healing. 🌿✨

At Root 2 Leaf, we offer a FREE sanctuary in nature specifically for cancer patients and their loved ones to rest, breathe, and reconnect. This 13-acre pr

At Root 2 Leaf, our vision extends beyond providing a simple getaway; we are dedicated to building a sanctuary that nurtures every aspect of the human spirit during the cancer journey. Inspired by Rick’s lifelong love for the outdoors, we belie

In every rustle of the leaves and every moment of quiet reflection, we honor the memory of Rick Hoerner. His spirit is the foundation of Root 2 Leaf, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit born from the belief that nature has a unique power to soothe the soul. Rick&r

Cancer doesn’t just affect a patient; it ripples through an entire family, bringing with it a mountain of bills, physical limitations, and a constant, heavy mental load. Often, the home—once a place of comfort—becomes a reminder of

Setting out to walk 500 miles across Spain wasn’t just about the hike; it was something I needed to do for my soul after losing Rick. There were days when the trail felt impossibly long and the physical pain was overwhelming, but the Camino has

Continuing from our last post, we wanted to share more of the light and joy we found in Cabo, Arizona, Puerto Rico, and Florida.

If Part 1 was about finding the space to breathe, Part 2 is about the incredible power of Vitamin D, salt air, and unin

Looking back at these photos from Door County and Colorado, our hearts are overflowing with a deep, quiet gratitude. These weren’t just vacations; they were vital pauses between Rick’s scans—moments where we could step away from the

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