Author: Jordan Yates

Leslie was shocked when her son, Aidan, was diagnosed with cancer. What she thought were just the usual growing pains of adolescence—achiness, reluctance to get out of bed for school— turned out to be something more serious. A series of tests revealed the devastating truth: Aidan had leukemia.

The diagnosis upended their lives, sending them on a late-night, five-hour drive from their hometown ER to specialty treatment in Colorado, far from the support of family, friends, and the familiarity of home.

Throughout Aidan’s long treatment, one thing made all the difference: Brent’s Place. Years earlier, Leslie’s stepdad had stayed at Brent’s Place during his own cancer battle, and now, the entire family of six experienced the same compassionate care and supportive community.

Brent’s Place became their sanctuary, a stable home away from home. With spacious, comfortable family apartments, meal support, and room for Aidan’s dad and brothers to visit, they found not just a place to stay, but a place to heal together.

Even after Aidan’s long-term stay ended, Brent’s Place continued to support him. He and his family returned for follow-up visits, staying in our short-term hospitality suites. No matter the phase of the journey, Brent’s Place is always there for families like Aidan’s.

During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and in honor of his 80th birthday, our founder, Donn Eley, is matching every donation up to $80,000. That means your gift will go twice as far in providing families like Aidan’s with the stability, comfort, and care they need during the most difficult time of their lives.

No family should face cancer alone. Together, we can give them the support they deserve.

Donate today and double your impact!

In April, Olivia was celebrating her 15th birthday when she noticed a strange rash starting to appear on her leg. She felt fine otherwise, but just to be safe, her parents sent a picture to a friend in the medical field.

Within 48 hours, Olivia was in the hospital. What started as a simple rash turned into a frightening medical mystery. Weeks passed without answers, leaving her family in a state of uncertainty and fear. Finally, after countless tests, the diagnosis came: aplastic anemia. For no known reason, Olivia’s bone marrow had stopped producing blood cells—a condition that, if left untreated, could be fatal. Her only hope was a bone marrow transplant, and time was critical. 

Fortunately, Children’s Hospital Colorado was ready to help. The challenge: they would need to leave their home in Montana and stay in Colorado for what could be months. Olivia’s mom, Genine, recalls feeling overwhelmed—until they connected with Brent’s Place. 

“We needed a place that was safe for Olivia, since she’s immunocompromised. Brent’s Place is clean and close to the hospital. Everything we need is right here. It’s such a relief,” Genine shared.

The relief wasn’t just in the practical support, but in the emotional connections Genine has made at Brent’s Place. “Being able to meet other parents who are going through the same thing has been incredible. In the common areas, people gather, share stories, and support one another. It’s comforting to know we’re not alone in this.” 

After arriving in Colorado, Olivia underwent the transplant—her bone marrow donation came from her brother, who was a perfect match. Thanks to his generosity, combined with the care she received from her parents, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and the team at Brent’s Place, Olivia is on the path to recovery. 

“It’s nice having my own room and my own space. It’s really comfortable here. I love cereal, so I like going downstairs and picking out cereal from the big cereal bar. It’s just really cozy,” Olivia shared. 

In a few months, Olivia hopes that she’ll be home and starting the next semester of school in person, instead of online, healthy and ready for the next chapter of her life.

Thanks to support from the community, Brent’s Place could be there for Olivia and her family while they navigate such a difficult time. During a health crisis, we believe everyone deserves a safe, welcoming place to rest, heal and find hope. Together, we can make that a reality for families like Olivia’s.  

Support families like Olivia’s today.

Last December, Andrea experienced difficulty breathing during a holiday-themed fun run. This was highly unusual for someone who had completed a half marathon and a 10K earlier that year. A week later, she faced similar symptoms while playing with her granddaughter, prompting her to schedule a doctor’s visit.

Blood tests revealed devastating news: Andrea was facing her third cancer diagnosis in twenty-four years. This time, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). She began treatment a week later on Christmas Day 2023. 

After four months of intensive treatment and a stem cell transplant, Andrea and her caregivers moved into Brent’s Place at Forum Fitzsimmons. This was her second stay at Brent’s Place, with her first dating back to 2017. Upon arrival, Andrea felt an immediate sense of relief. “The pantry and fridge were filled with food, which was so nice to have available right away. We had everything that was needed, and we just had to bring our personal items,” she recalled.

Andrea found solace and strength in the support provided by Brent’s Place. Conversations with our Family Support Manager, Lisa, and the sense of community during shared meals with other families in similar situations were invaluable. “Having the community meals to look forward to and meeting people who are kind of in the same situation has been really helpful. It’s comforting to know you’re not the only one here,” Andrea shared. 

Today, Andrea is preparing to head home. She looks forward to reuniting with her “village” in Colorado Springs, enjoying some solitude on her patio, and returning to her training schedule. She’s thrilled to report that she can now walk four miles at a time and has taken the leap to register for a 12k in Florida.

We are so glad we could be there for Andrea and her family during this challenging time. Faced with such adversities, everyone deserves a sanctuary to call home. Together, we can make that possible. 

Support patients like Andrea today.