In 2020 the Cancer Coalition of Southwest Colorado (CCSWC) celebrates 25 years of service to the community.  It’s important to recognize that over the years we have changed names of our organization and varied our mission, but our strength and focus has always been cancer education and financial assistance to individuals in treatment for cancer.  Past organization names have included: Breast Health Task Force, Women’s Health Coalition, Health Coalition of SW Colorado and currently Cancer Coalition of SW Colorado. We have served Montezuma and Dolores counties of Colorado and San Juan, NM, but today our focus is LaPlata, Archuleta and San Juan counties of Colorado.

In 2016 the CCSWC partnered with Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado, a local foundation that offers fiscal management to non- profits.  This solved many problems for a group of volunteers that only wanted to help cancer patients. Once a non-profit status was established and we had a fiscal sponsor holding a 501c3, the group began working to help individuals financially strapped during cancer treatment. Working with the ACS Cancer Resource Center at Mercy Regional Cancer Center (Durango), an application process was devised so that gas cards and grants for non-medical expenses could be given out.

Of course, this took lots of fundraising efforts to bring us up to speed to give grants and gas cards away.  Some early sponsors and events which financially helped were: “Pink Digs for the Cure”, Dr.Gaughan’s Golf Tournament, BP America, Brennan Oil-Exxon Durango, “Pink the Rink”, First Methodist Church and Methodist Thrift Store, Journey of Hope, Pink Ribbon Events, Pink Streaks, Style N’ Stones,” Burger Night at the Palace”, Sky Ute Casino, DAAR,  LPEA, Rodeo of the Southwest, Ballentine Fund, Women of the Glacier Club and Dalton Ranch Women’s Golf Association, Community Foundation Serving Southwest CO. and individual community donors. We owe much gratitude to all. Over the past 11 years, CCSWC has given away over $200,000 in small grants and $140,000 in gas cards. Approximately 500 individuals benefited.

For 25 years CCSWC has sponsored or collaboratively worked with other groups to give annual cancer education programs in Durango and surrounding communities in Southwest Colorado. Topics have included: “Breast, Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Awareness”; “Promotion of Mammograms”; “Psychological Wellness During Cancer Treatment”; “Humor has a Place while Enduring a Cancer Diagnosis”; “Nutrition for Wellness and Cancer Prevention”; and “Celebrating Cancer Survivors”.  Since our mission is to educate the public regarding cancer prevention and early detection, members are available to give talks with small groups at work sites, churches, health fairs and local events.

Today CCSWC members are dedicated to prevention and early detection of cancer and to helping people in cancer treatment.  We welcome donations from businesses and individuals. We welcome area residents willing to volunteer their time by becoming coalition members. We believe It takes a community to defeat cancer and assure those in treatment that we believe in their wholeness and well-being.