Blogs

Good afternoon!

Boulder Community Health (BCH) has received a 2014 Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The award, which honors facilities that exceed nationally recognized standards for the delivery of quality cancer care, was given to a select group of 75 accredited cancer programs throughout the United States, approximately 15 percent of programs surveyed by the CoC in 2014.   

“These 75 cancer programs currently represent the best of the best—so to speak—when it comes to cancer care,” said Daniel P. McKellar, MD, FACS, Chair of the CoC, in a press release. “Each of these facilities is not just meeting nationally recognized standards for the delivery of quality cancer care, they are exceeding them.”

BCH is one of only three Colorado cancer programs to receive this honor. BCH cancer services are provided at
Foothills Hospital.

The purpose of the CoC award is to increase awareness among cancer patients and their loved ones about quality care options.  In addition, the award is intended to:

• Recognize those cancer programs that achieve excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients
• Motivate other cancer programs to work toward improving their level of care
• Facilitate dialogue between award recipients and health care professionals at other cancer facilities for the purpose of sharing best practices
• Encourage honorees to serve as quality-care resources to other cancer programs

“More and more, we’re finding that patients and their families want to know how the health care institutions in their communities compare with one another,” McKellar said.  “They want access to information in terms of who’s providing the best quality of care, and they want to know about overall patient outcomes. Through this recognition program, I’d like to think we’re playing a small, but vital role, in helping them make informed decisions on their cancer care.”

Boulder – Athleta Boulder presents an informative talk on Breast Cancer and Exercise, at 6 p.m., Monday, October 21 at the store, 1133 Pearl Street. The focus of the talk by medical oncologist Dr. Robert Fisher and survivor and professional athlete Kim Rider will be on how you can reduce the risk of breast cancer and enhance survivorship through physical activity.

Robert Fisher MD, medical oncologist at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers and founder of non profit Pink Ribbon

Survivors Network will update guests on the latest research connecting the benefits of exercise to breast cancer prevention and survival.

Kim Rider a professional athlete and breast cancer survivor will also talk about the known environmental causes and how to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Both are available to answer questions after the presentation.

This is a free event and is open to the public. For more information call 303 443 1752.

Hi Everyone,

So, it seems that Colorado is a very generous state. When it comes to providing free camps for kids with cancer, Colorado is probably in the top 3 out of all the states in the US.

Well, now there one more, Nighthawk Ranch, in Guffey, Colorado. Nighthawk Ranch is opening its doors this summer for its first series of free one-week sessions. The camp accepts kids and teens (10-18) in their final stages of treatment or out of treatment. Nighthawk Ranch provides the typical camp activities (camping, archery, ropes course, etc.), but also offers activities associated with living on a working ranch. There is a very cool horseback riding program, and at the end of the one-week program there may even be a mini-cattle drive.

As the coordinator, I am reaching out to anyone who has an interest in volunteering (18 or older) or to any parent who has a child who would be a good fit for Nighthawk Ranch.

The session dates are as follows:

Sunday, June 24 to Saturday, June 30, (boys)

Sunday, July 15 to Saturday, July 21, (girls)

Sunday, August 5 to Saturday, August 11, (boys)

So, in the spirit of generosity that is so abundant here in Colorado- please contact me if you have any interest in volunteering or applying as a camper.

Many, Many Thanks,

Kim McGinnis

310-980-8684

Coordinator / Nighthawk Ranch

www.NighthawkRanchColorado.org

Hi Everyone,

After much preparation and anticipation Nighthawk Ranch has held its first successful summer session and is now in the middle of its second successful summer session. What makes me call it successful? Well, the first session had all but one camper spot filled and had an overflowing amount of volunteers and (most importantly) the campers had a GREAT time.

The second session has one extra camper and even more volunteers to help out - and, yes, these campers are having an equally GREAT time.

After this second session ends (July 21), Nighthawk Ranch has one more session this year - its third session, which runs August 5 - August 11. We are almost at capacity, but we still have room for one or two more campers and one or two more volunteers. This 3rd session is for boys (10-18) who have (or have had) cancer. And, remember, this camp is free to kids and their families that qualify.

And we really need some male volunteers - so time to step up guys. Obviously this is for the kids, but if you speak to any of our volunteers you will know that the volunteers get the same amount of joy (if not more) from the experience than the kids.

Please check out my pictures page to see some pictures of past Nighthawk Ranch sessions, and if you would like more information on how to volunteer or how to fill out an application for a camper, please contact me -
Kim McGinnis/Nighthawk Ranch Coordinator or for more information, visit www.NighthawkRanchColorado.org

Till next time,

Kim