Summit Cancer Solutions

Impact Statement

Cancer affects people of all races, ages, and sex. Nearly 25,000 Coloradans are diagnosed each year with cancer, and the 2005-2010 Colorado Cancer Plan estimates there will be 150,000 persons in Colorado who have survived cancer 10 years or more. Survival, however, brings with it physiological and psychological side effects including muscular atrophy, weight changes, lowered aerobic capacity, decreased strength and flexibility, nausea, fatigue, depression, and an overall decrease in the quality of life. Research indicates that exercise can be an effective tool in the rehabilitation of cancer patients. Cancer patients who exercise benefit from reduced pain and nausea, improved cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength, reduced fatigue, and improved ability to work outside the home and perform day-to-day duties. They are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety and benefit from the social interaction in exercise. Despite the well-recognized benefits of physical activity after cancer, healthcare after a diagnosis does not typically include rehabilitation and exercise as part of recovery.

Summit Cancer Solutions is a community-based program which offers exercise and support to cancer survivors, and is currently available at 8 community recreation centers in the Denver metro area. By operating out of recreation centers, we strive to provide a program that is “health” rather than “hospital” oriented. Since inception, we have served over 1000 clients.

Needs Statement

1. Raise funds to cover the full costs of the exercise program for all cancer survivors, so we can continue to offer the program at an affordable rate to participants. 2. Funds for scholarships to clients who are unable to afford the cost of the program. 3. Two laptop computers for our exercise physiologists for conducting patient assessments 4. Expand the program throughout the Denver metropolitan area to other municipalities 5. Increase the number of Board members.

Background Statement

Summit Cancer Solutions is a local not-for-profit organization that has been providing individualized exercise programs since 1998 to cancer survivors in the Denver metropolitan area. Over 1000 survivors have benefited from the program so far. The focus is to provide a “health”-oriented program that is a positive, self-help approach for cancer survivors to improve their quality of life. Any individual who has had cancer is eligible to participate. The program helps participants learn what is appropriate and safe for exercising during and after treatment, to stay on track during their full 6-month program, and to see the physical and emotional changes brought on by a consistent exercise program. Summit’s program originally focused on serving breast cancer survivors; it soon expanded to all cancer survivors of both sexes. The program also provides participants with monthly nutrition lectures specific to cancer issues. Summit's exercise program currently operates out of the following 8 recreation facilities: Wheat Ridge, Carmody (Lakewood), Goodson (South Suburban), La Alma (Denver), Montbello (Denver), Parker, The Trails (Centennial), and The Peak (Foothills).

In recent years, Summit Cancer Solutions has begun to focus on the underserved populations of the Latino and African-American communities and was a performance site for two grants with the University of Colorado's Cancer Center specifically to serve underserved populations. The project, funded by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, enrolled over 180 cancer survivors, with 40% of these being minority cancer survivors. The National Susan G. Komen Foundation funded another grant for underserved breast cancer survivors and 24 women from Denver Health enrolled in this clinical trial of breast cancer rehabilitation. Summit Cancer Solutions has also received grant funding from the Denver affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation (in 2002, 2005, & 2009).

Executive Director Statement

When I tell people I work for Summit Cancer Solutions, the inevitable response is for them to reply with a story about their personal experience with cancer – either getting a diagnosis themselves, or for a close family member, a friend, or a co-worker. Virtually everyone you talk to has been affected by cancer on a personal level. Most people have experienced the reality that a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment is devastating not just from a health perspective, but has major impacts psychologically and emotionally on not only the person undergoing treatment, but also radiates out through his/her circle of family, friends and co-workers.

U.S. Census data shows that one of the fastest growing segments of the population is people over age 65. One of the major risk factors for cancer is increasing age; the “graying of America” means more people being diagnosed and surviving cancer. Current estimates indicate over 10 million cancer survivors alive in the U.S. today. According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 60% of all cancer survivors live at least 10 years following a cancer diagnosis. Nearly 25,000 Coloradans are diagnosed each year with cancer, and it is estimated that there are 150,000 Coloradans who have survived cancer 10 years or more.

Summit Cancer Solutions has provided a much needed service to the Denver area for nearly a decade. The quality of the program is outstanding, and it remains affordable and accessible. Cost of the complete program to participants is only $150 because we have been able to offset our actual costs through grants, fundraisers, and donations. Nearly 25% of past participants have received scholarships for the program, a demonstration of the commitment of the organization to working with underserved and disadvantaged survivors. We continue to expand our outreach throughout the Denver Metro area, identifying, building relationships, and providing services to these underserved communities.

Board Chair/President Statement

Summit Cancer Solutions was founded in 1998 by Karen Hornbostel, an exercise physiologist, champion cyclist, and breast cancer survivor. Karen received her MS degree in Exercise Physiology at the University of Colorado in Boulder. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 at the peak of her cycling career. When she asked her doctor if she could exercise during treatment, the doctor couldn’t provide her with any solid information. Karen made a decision on her own that she was going to continue to exercise, since it was a way of life to her, and subsequently made it her life’s passion to help other cancer survivors regain strength and confidence through exercise and support. Karen’s efforts were nationally recognized in 2003 when she received the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s first “Spirit of Survivorship” Award. Karen lost her 13-year battle with breast cancer in October of 2006. During 2007, Summit Cancer Solutions was run by our dedicated staff with help from a committed, “hands on” board. We hired our new Executive Director, Therese Thompson, in December 2007, and are now looking to the future.

Summit Cancer Solutions ran under the umbrella of Foothills Parks and Recreation District from 1998 until 2002, when it became an independent 501c3 not-for-profit. The program now runs out of 5 community recreation centers in the Denver metro area. Over the 9 years it has been in operation, Summit Cancer Solutions has served over 1,000 men and women diagnosed with cancer.

I have been on the Board of Summit Cancer Solutions since its inception and I am very proud of the program’s growth and accomplishments. Our talented staff translate the values of the organization into their everyday interactions with participants. Summit Cancer Solutions still runs “lean and mean” – we have no full time staff and all of our resources go toward supporting the exercise program. I think one of the most valuable outcomes of the exercise program is the sense of support, hope, and control that participants get from one another in class and from the one-on-one support they receive from their exercise physiologist. The relationships that develop, through exercise, really change their lives in a positive way. It is my privilege to be an integral part of this organization that provides such a wonderful service to our community. My investment in Summit Cancer Solutions is my commitment to develop a sustainable organization and an invaluable community asset.

"The spirit and support of the Summit program helped me feel normal again, and not only normal, but blessed. Thank you!!!" Kelley A., Breast cancer survivor
"Recurring cancer tests every element of your being; your physical being, your mental image, and your spiritual soul. Summit played a big role in my fight." Ron K., Prostate cancer survivor