You can make a difference
for a family by your donations and
being part of our “Ride For The Kids”
motorcycle rally. The foundations mission statement is: To ensure that children diagnosed with cancer living within
the Rocky Mountain region receive the highest quality treatment
available through financial support, educational information,
and psychosocial assistance. Message From A Recipient: “Just wanted to thank you and the Rocky Mountain
Children’s Cancer Foundation. We don’t know what we would
have done without the foundation’s assistance! Thank you for relieving
one aspect of stress in our lives – we can’t tell you how much we appreciate it!!!
A million thanks!”
Mother of cancer patient, age 4 - September 2007 About The Foundation: The Rocky Mountain Childhood Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization that
assists families in dealing with the unexpected and at times overwhelming emotional
and financial stresses of childhood cancers. Not only does the RMCCF provide financial
assistance to families to help offset both medical and living expenses, but it also partners
within the community to help negotiate free and reduced expenses. Because the RMCCF is comprised completely of volunteers, 100% of donations go
directly to children and their families. The RMCCF relies on the kind generosity of friends,
family, and community members to keep thriving. In 2007, the RMCCF was able to
increase the number of families helped by 25% and with your support we’d like to
continue to expand our outreach. Please join us for a day of fun, sun, golf, and hope
for this worthwhile cause! History: The Rocky Mountain Childhood Cancer Foundation was started by a group of
doctors and hospital administrators from Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver,
Colorado over 10 years ago. Its original purpose was to provide families battling
childhood cancer with the financial resources to gain access to the best available
care regardless of ability to pay. For many years, its largest benefactor was the
Colorado Children’s Chorale’s Annual Holiday Benefit Concert, held at Boettcher
Concert Hall. However, during the recession of 2000 like many non-profit foundations, the RMCCF
found its donations decrease dramatically. As a non-profit itself, the Colorado Children’s
Chorale faced the same dilemma and decided it needed to focus more directly on its
own balance sheet and therefore, it ceased its concert benefiting the RMCCF. Not l
ong afterwards, Presbyterian/St. Luke’s began the process of going from a non-profit
hospital to a for-profit hospital through a buy-out by HealthOne. This switch forced
Presbyterian/St. Luke’s to sever is ties to and support of the RMCCF. Through the perseverance of the volunteers, the families and friends of those touched
by childhood cancer, and the staff of Childhood Hematology Oncology Associates the
foundation overcame those obstacles and has continued to expand its mission.
Through the generosity of its patrons’ time, money, skills, resources, and understanding,
the RMCCF has been able to provide personalized assistance to hundreds of families
since the turbulent years following 2000. Today the foundation relies on these patrons and their profound commitment to
bettering the lives of those affected by childhood cancer. It is this steadfast and
inspiring spirit that initiated the founding of the RMCCF, allowed it to overcome its
adversity, and continues to provide it with the opportunities to touch the lives of children
diagnosed with cancer, their families, and the community. Highlights: 2007…
- Provided over $67,000 worth of financial assistance.
- Provided help to over 50 families
- Approx. 80% of monetary donations come from private foundations, with 20% coming
from individuals. Over last 5 years…
- Provided over $250,000 worth of financial assistance.
- Provided help to hundreds of families.
- 100% of donations go directly to patients.
- All board members, committee members, and volunteers work at no expense.
- All administrative activities are provided by community members pro bono.
- The foundation has developed partnerships within the community to provide medical
services as well as living necessities at free or reduced prices. Message From A Board Member and Childhood Cancer Survivor: The mission of the Rocky Mountain Childhood Cancer Foundation is one which is very near
and dear to my heart as I’ve experienced its impact in the community from all viewpoints:
as a young child singing on the stage of Boettcher Concert Hall during the Colorado
Children’s Chorale RMCCF Benefit Concert, looking into the faces of kids my age struggling
with cancer; in my teens as a bald-headed, pale-skinned kid getting chemotherapy in a
white brick-walled room all too common in most hospitals; and now in young adulthood
as a proud and caring cancer survivor who stands beside the volunteers, patients, and
families with whom I share common past experiences. It is a privilege and honor to be part of a foundation with such dedicated and passionate
volunteers. This organization individually touches each of its recipients and provides
empathy, understanding, and a commitment to support families through the tears as well
as the smiles. It is that culture which truly identifies the RMCCF as unique and makes its
investment of time, money, and love more valuable than any other I’ve encountered. Thank you for supporting children with cancer and their families. Your assistance and
donations truly makes a positive difference in these children’s lives! 
Carolilne Gash |