Iowa Widows Force Cancer Law Shift

The deaths began in 2022. Brian Stoaks, 55, received a pancreatic-cancer diagnosis; his shifts were covered by colleagues while he endured chemo, surgery, and decline. He died in 2023, his cancer absent from Iowa’s approved list.

Malcolm Cortner, 42, learned he had glioblastoma in 2023. The four-year firefighter and 15-year EMS veteran spent his final months lobbying lawmakers, recording videos, and calling elected officials so “his firefighter family was taken care of,” says widow Sheena Cortner. He died March 2024.

Mike Broderick, 51, was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in late 2023. The 25-year veteran told News Of Losangeles in December that year, “Cancer was the last thing on our radar.” He died January 14, 2024, leaving Emily Broderick and their four children.

From Grief to Legislation

The widows-Emily Broderick, Kelli Stoaks, Sheena Cortner-joined forces with Des Moines Professional Firefighters Local 4. They spoke at the Capitol, shared personal stories, and produced a video featuring cancer-stricken firefighters.

“We started having a realization that some of these cancers weren’t covered,” says Local 4 president Joe Van Haalen, “but there was certainly a darn good chance that we were getting this stuff in our jobs.”

Their push convinced legislators. The bill passed both chambers in April 2025. Governor Kim Reynolds signed it in June, flanked by firefighters and the three widows.

What Changed

The American Cancer Society notes firefighters face known carcinogens from fires, protective gear chemicals, and diesel exhaust. Research is complicated by variables such as years served and equipment used, but cancers can emerge decades after exposure.

Personal Cost

Kelli Stoaks never said goodbye. Brian entered the hospital on a Friday, never spoke again, and died days later. “We thought we had more time,” she says. Their son continues the family tradition-he is now an Iowa firefighter.

Sheena Cortner, who shares three young children with Malcolm, testified while grief was “raw,” just three months after his death. “To feel like his death wasn’t in vain meant a lot,” she says.

Emily Broderick calls the law bittersweet: “There’s never gonna be closure with losing my husband at 51 years old. It gave me a sense of peace to know that no family is gonna have to go through what some families had to go through.”

A Unified Front

Local 4 secretary Aaron Johnson, firefighter Jason Mason, and dozens of others canvassed the Statehouse. Van Haalen insists the effort transcended politics: “This is saving the lives of the people that are answering the call day in and day out.”

At the signing ceremony Emily reflected, “Hand in hand the firefighters took care of Sheena, Kelli, and myself just as much as I think the three of us feel like we took care of them.”

Kelli adds, “Having my son that is also part of the fire family, I needed to do that for him as well. I know that we made such a huge difference for so many people.”