New Partnership to Increase Supportive Resources for Colorado Cancer Patients

July 13, 2018
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DENVER – (July 13, 2018) – The Cancer Support Community (CSC), a global nonprofit, announced today a new partnership with Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers (RMCC) that will enable Colorado’s largest and most comprehensive provider of cancer care to expand its supportive care for patients and caregivers.

Built on CSC’s national program model, thanks to the generous financial support of the Barbara Bradley Baekgaard Family Foundation, this agreement will make services available across RMCC’s 13 primary clinic locations with CSC satellite hubs being established at RMCC’s clinics in Lone Tree and in Colorado Springs. Now, anyone throughout Colorado impacted by cancer will have access to CSC’s comprehensive, scientifically validated psychosocial support programs, including professionally facilitated support groups, education, social connections, healthy lifestyle classes, and other resources.

CSC and RMCC leaders made the announcement at the Colorado State Capitol where Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne read a proclamation commemorating Colorado Cancer Caregivers Day. The proclamation recognizes those who provide essential support during a patient’s diagnosis.

“Bringing the Cancer Support Community to the Colorado community builds upon our vision to lead the way in cancer care. We believe that the CSC and RMCC collaboration tightly aligns with our shared values: minimizing the impact of illness and expanding the meaning of life for patients and their loved ones,” said Susan Ash-Lee, Director, Supportive Care, RMCC.

“Today marks a major step forward for cancer patients and caregivers in Colorado. We are honored to work with RMCC to provide free supportive resources that will help patients gain a sense of control at a time when a medical diagnosis can make life seem so chaotic,” said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of CSC.

The announcement marks another milestone for CSC in Colorado. In January, the Denver-based MyLifeLine.org Foundation, a unique web-based communication platform that connects cancer patients and caregivers to their community of family and friends, became part of CSC, and Denver is now the global nonprofit’s digital hub.

The ceremony at the Capitol also featured two caregivers, Jen and Britton Thomas, whose story helped inspire the proclamation. Jen and Britton each utilized the free services provided through MyLifeLine and relied heavily on its care coordinator features to ease the daily burdens while navigating their spouses’ cancer journeys. In addition, Britton’s wife received treatment at the RMCC.

Unfortunately, their spouses each passed away too young. Years later, Jen and Britton met serendipitously through MyLifeLine and bonded over shared caregiving experiences. In time, they fell in love and got married to begin a new life together and they now have a baby daughter, Ashlyn, who turned one on June 17.

“We share our story so that other families facing a cancer diagnosis know that you do not have to endure this experience alone,” said Britton and Jen Thomas. “So many parts of our story—from MyLifeLine to RMCC are connected through CSC, which means enhanced services for patients and caregivers.”