Author: Jordan Yates

At just 10 weeks old, Elaina developed a fever and began having seizures. Doctors suspected bacterial meningitis. But after three weeks of monitoring at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Elaina’s bloodwork remained abnormal. Further testing revealed a mutation in her ELANE gene, preventing her body from producing neutrophils correctly and leaving her vulnerable to life-threatening infections.

When initial treatments failed, her care team recommended a bone marrow transplant. Fortunately, her older sister was a match. 

But that path came with a new challenge. Elaina, her parents, and her sister would need to move to Denver—more than three hours from home — for the duration of her transplant and recovery. The transition was sudden and overwhelming. They had nowhere to stay and no clear plan for how to manage the weeks ahead.

That’s when they found Brent’s Place.

At Brent’s Place, Elaina and her family found more than a medically safe apartment near the hospital. They found stability during an incredibly uncertain time. Surrounded by compassionate staff and other families navigating similar journeys, they no longer felt alone. 

With the daily burdens of meals and household responsibilities lifted, Elaina’s parents could focus entirely on her care.

For Shantel, Elaina’s mom, one moment stands out. During their stay, Brent’s Place hosted a Christmas celebration—which gave her family a much-needed moment of normalcy and joy during treatment. 

“We got to meet Santa and do all the normal Christmas party stuff—everything I was scared we’d miss out on,” Shantel shared. “Kids are only little once, and those moments are irreplaceable.” 

The family also found connection in the community around them. Shantel still keeps in touch with a fellow mom who lived across the hall—a lasting reminder of the community they found at Brent’s Place.

“I don’t know how we could’ve done this without Brent’s Place. We were so spoiled there! I appreciate it more than I can ever say.”

Today, Elaina and her family are back home. Elaina is responding well to her transplant, and her family is hopeful for what’s ahead. And when follow-up appointments bring them back to Denver, they know they will once again have a place to stay—and a community ready to welcome them at Brent’s Place.

Support families like Elaina’s today.

The week after Sheila retired from teaching, she went in for what she expected to be routine blood work. Instead of celebrating a new chapter, she received a life-altering diagnosis: chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). 

While CLL is often slow growing, Sheila’s case was aggressive and resistant to treatment. 

Despite multiple rounds of chemotherapy, the cancer continued to progress. Each time it returned, it came back stronger—eventually transforming into enlarged B-cell lymphoma. As her lymph nodes swelled, Sheila struggled to swallow food, and the toll of treatment grew heavier.

Doctors told Sheila and her husband, Tim, that the best path forward was a stem cell transplant. That meant leaving their home in Billings and relocating to Denver for several months of treatment and recovery—at a time when they were already exhausted in every way.

That’s when they found Brent’s Place.

At Brent’s Place, Sheila and Tim found far more than housing during treatment. They were welcomed into a comfortable, very clean, fully furnished apartment, complemented during the week with a nourishing, chef-prepared breakfast and several dinners that were very much appreciated at the end of a long day. Everyday burdens were reduced—the convenience of the on-site pantry for unexpected grocery or cleaning items, the availability of Brent’s Place staff to answer questions or help locate a nearby grocery store or pharmacy—simply having someone there when needed.

Just as meaningful was the sense of connection. They found themselves surrounded by other families who also had to deal with the uncertainty, the fear, and the hope that defined each day. They played games, worked on puzzles, had BBQs, and most of all encouraged one another through the ups and downs of treatment and caregiving.

“Brent’s Place wasn’t just a place to stay—it was a community,” Sheila shared. “They cared for us in ways that went far beyond giving us a room. If you wanted to, you could really make it your own little community.”

The staff, along with residents who shared the same haircut—bald—and their caregivers in particular, made a lasting impact. Being in the same space at Brent’s Place made that possible.

Today, Sheila is back home and recovering well. Though their time in Denver has come to an end, the comfort, dignity, and community they found at Brent’s Place remain part of their story. 

And no matter what lies ahead, our doors are always open.

Support families like Sheila’s today. 

When five-year-old Maggie from Lincoln, Nebraska, was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2018, her family braced for a difficult road ahead. She endured two and a half years of treatment. Then she relapsed. 

Another round of therapy followed, incorporating newer treatments that hadn’t been available at her initial diagnosis. In January 2025, she finished treatment again. By May, the leukemia had returned.

This time, her care team recommended chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in Omaha as a bridge to a bone marrow transplant. Just four weeks after completing CAR-T cell therapy, they received the call—it was time to come to Colorado and begin the transplant process.

The transition was swift and overwhelming. Within days, they needed to relocate and secure housing near the hospital for extended treatment and recovery time.

Fortunately, that’s when they found Brent’s Place.

At Brent’s Place, Maggie and her parents found far more than a comfortable apartment near the hospital. They found steadiness in the middle of uncertainty. Surrounded by other families navigating transplant and recovery, they no longer felt isolated in their experience. Wednesday evening community dinners quickly became a highlight. One week, Maggie even chose the menu, a simple but meaningful highlight during a season defined by so much beyond her control.

They also found relief from the daily pressures that so often compound a medical crisis. With nourishing, chef-prepared meals and everyday responsibilities lifted, Maggie’s parents could focus entirely on their daughter’s care. 

“It provided a respite,” Maggie’s mom shared. “I focused on caring for Maggie without worrying about getting everything else done. I had to tell myself: It’s okay. Chef Kevin’s cooking for us tonight. I can just let go.”

For Maggie, healing included moments of normalcy and joy. She spent hours playing pool, practicing piano in the music room, and walking the outdoor path as part of her recovery—small but meaningful freedoms that allowed her to simply be a teenager, even in the midst of treatment. 

Today, Maggie and her family are back home in Nebraska. She is recovering well and looking forward to returning to school. And when follow-up appointments bring them back to Colorado, they know they will once again have a home away from home in Brent’s Place’s hospitality suites.

No matter what lies ahead, Brent’s Place will always be a safe place to land for Maggie and her family.

Support families like Maggie’s today. 

When four-year-old Tao started dozing off during preschool, his mother, Ceniña, felt a quiet, persistent worry. Soon, Tao’s exhaustion turned into stomach pain. Then came the morning Tao reached for a fork and couldn’t move his hand. He looked at his mom and told her it simply hurt too much to try.

Local doctors initially thought it was growing pains or a stubborn cold. But when the pain moved to his legs and Tao could no longer walk, Ceniña and her husband Demetrio pushed for a second opinion.

The news was a reality no parent is ever ready to hear: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

“The moment I heard the word ‘Leukemia,’ everything else just blanked out. The doctor was still talking, but I couldn’t hear her. It was like the world stopped moving, and suddenly, nothing was ever going to be the same,” Ceniña said. “No kid should ever have to go through that. You just can’t take the hurt away, no matter how hard you try.”

Life-saving treatment required Tao to start intensive care immediately. Within days, the Jaures had to leave their life in Gillette, Wyoming, and relocate to Denver. They arrived exhausted, terrified, and hundreds of miles away from any support system.

Through our Wyoming partner, Jason’s Friends, they found their way to Brent’s Place.

Brent’s Place became a sanctuary that offered much more than four walls. It took the “chaos” out of their crisis. Instead of worrying about where they would sleep or how they would manage meals, the family could step into a quiet, ready-made home. From the meals prepared for them to the activities that let Tao just be a kid again, the overwhelming burden of being “medical parents” finally began to feel lighter.

While the medical world felt sterile and scary, Brent’s Place felt like childhood again. Ceniña remembers Tao’s eyes lighting up when they walked in: “He was like, ‘Whoa, this is so cool. They have a playroom. They have arts and crafts. I love arts and crafts, Mom.’”

For Ceniña and Demetrio, the biggest gift was the community. In the middle of an isolating diagnosis, they found other families who spoke their language.

“It was so nice to actually wind down and not have to think about anything else,” Ceniña shared. “I could relax and not have to worry for just a minute.”

Today, Tao and his family are back home in Wyoming. He returns to Denver monthly for ongoing care, and every time he does, Brent’s Place is there. It isn’t just a temporary stay anymore—it’s their safe haven.

No matter what the future holds for Tao, Brent’s Place will always be here to welcome him home.
Support families like Tao’s today.

When Gage was three months old, his mom Heather noticed a troubling lump on his neck. After a frightening week in the hospital, doctors delivered the diagnosis: chronic granulomatous disease—a rare immune disorder that prevents white blood cells from effectively fighting certain bacteria and fungi.

“I remember calling my dad and just crying,” Heather said. “It was impossible not to imagine the worst.”

While medication helped manage Gage’s condition, it didn’t prevent new lumps from forming—each requiring surgery to be removed. Ultimately, doctors confirmed the only true cure: a bone marrow transplant. For five-year-old Gage and his mom, Heather, that meant leaving home and relocating to Denver for several months.

That’s when they found Brent’s Place.

At Brent’s Place, Gage and Heather found far more than a place to stay—they found stability, safety, and a caring community that truly understood what they were facing. From fresh, home cooked meals to laundry and daily support, Brent’s Place removed the burdens that so often overwhelm families during medical crises, allowing Heather to fully focus on her son.

As Gage grew stronger, he also found moments of joy—joining in activities like a special holiday visit from the Grinch and rediscovering what it means to just be a kid. 

“I’m so grateful to have a safe, clean place for my son to heal and recover,” Heather shared. “I’ll really miss it.”

Today, Gage is getting healthier by the day. While he and his mom are ready to go home, they leave Denver deeply grateful for the care and community they found at Brent’s Place. We’re honored to have been part of Gage’s journey—and no matter what comes next, our doors are always open.

Support families like Gage’s today.

Seven-month-old Kyla had become unusually lethargic and wasn’t eating well. Concerned, her parents, Kendra and Terrel, took her to the pediatrician to be safe.  

What followed was a whirlwind. They were urged to get her to Children’s Hospital Colorado immediately. After further bloodwork, Kendra and Terrel heard the word no parent is ever prepared for: Cancer. One month later, the news grew even more devastating—Kyla’s cancer was so rare it didn’t yet have a name. Only three children had ever been diagnosed with it, and none had survived.

Kyla began treatment commonly used for high-risk neuroblastoma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The intensity of her care required the family to relocate indefinitely from their home in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Denver. Heartbroken and fearful, Kendra and Terrel remained steadfast in doing everything possible for their daughter.

That’s when they discovered Brent’s Place, thanks to our Wyoming partner, Jason’s Friends.

Here, they found not just housing, but a compassionate community of families facing similar challenges. For Kendra, the nourishing, homemade meals were a lifeline—and she especially appreciated the activities available for their older daughter, Kora. 

“It was great for Kora to have the chance to be a kid and not be stuck in the hospital all day,” Kendra shared. “She loved the splash pad and activities like the Easter celebration.” 

One of Kendra’s favorite memories was watching both her daughters laugh and play at Brent’s Place’s Backyard Bash, a summer celebration filled with sports challenges, crafts, and games. With Kyla’s diagnosis, every moment of joy felt especially precious.

Today, Kyla is walking and talking, and eating again. She and Kora are closer than ever.

“It’s just finally good to see her be able to be the kid that she was meant to be,” Kendra said.

Although the family no longer lives at Brent’s Place, they continue to stay in our hospitality suites for follow-up visits. No matter what the future holds, Brent’s Place will always be their home away from home.

Support families like Kyla’s today.