Mike Gerdin remembers when his son, Nick, was diagnosed with leukemia at age 9. Now 18, Nick fought the illness and became healthy with the support of his family.

His son's battle with cancer is not the only reason the Gerdin family made the single largest donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa last year. Gerdin said their family's experience with illness is similar to the battles families across Iowa and the U.S. face.

See Full Page