Martha Jentz

 

 

Cancer League of Colorado
President’s Message, Martha Jentz


I am humbled to be the “leader” of such a dynamic group of people.  Every member of Cancer League of Colorado is a volunteer devoted to completing the task set forth in our mission statement:


“To secure the ultimate cure or control of cancer.  It is the aim of this organization to obtain this goal through fundraising,, with monies going primarily to innovative research grants and cancer related services in the State of Colorado, as well as supporting those currently suffering, and educating Cancer League’s membership and the community.” 

Each of our over 400 members has a personal connection to this devastating disease.  Maybe that is one of the reasons I believe Cancer League to be such a unique non-profit.  Many of the men and woman who devote their precious time and talents are cancer survivors themselves. Along with our General Membership and Board of Directors, we have an extremely supportive Corporate Advisory Board, which not only participates in our fundraising events but hosts events for Cancer League as well.

Cancer League differs from other non-profits by giving 100% of the monies raised to Research and Service Grants and the Cancer League Foundation (our Endowment of Hope). We are able to accomplish this because we have no paid staff and no offices; all of our operating expenses are paid for by our Membership Dues. To insure the quality of the Grant Requests, each is reviewed by our Scientific Advisory Board consisting of 8-15 physicians from the state of Colorado.  These doctors review each research proposal to insure that those we fund are innovative and have the potential to go further toward meeting Cancer League’s mission.  This is again unique in the non-profit sector.  In determining how our fundraising efforts have affected Cancer Research, we have found that each $1.00 we raise becomes $20.00 for our grant recipients in further funding they are able to obtain.  It is also important to note that all of the funds raised for the initial ‘seed’ grants and service grants stay in the state of Colorado.

I lost my Mother-in-law to ovarian cancer in 1987 and my best friend to breast cancer in 1992 and then another dear friend in 1994, again to breast cancer. For these reasons I joined Cancer League.  However, when I lost my college roommate to a rare Sarcoma last summer, (she was only 56 and a grandma for just 2 weeks), I almost gave up hope.  I thought of giving up my position as incoming President.  However, I remembered that  Cancer League of Colorado ‘seed’ grants eventually led to the discovery of Tamoxifen (an internationally used treatment for breast cancer) and the new ‘breathalyzer’ type test for lung cancer. I realized that I must never give up hope! Then, just last month we heard that one of our grants to a doctor from the University of Colorado Cancer Center has now led to a treatment that has moved toward making lung cancer a CHRONIC ILLNESS. There really is HOPE.

With prompting from my very supportive husband and family, it is with pride that my year will be dedicated to the ones I love (and have loved).  As the ‘Mamas & Papas’ song says, “This is dedicated to the one I love, each night before you go to bed,…whisper a little prayer for me… and tell all the stars above, this is dedicated to.”  Let’s make this year, “Dedicated to the One’s We Love”, those who are fighting cancer now,  those we loved whom we have lost and all of those who we will someday find a cure for.  At each of our events this year we will be seeing our Logo on kites, symbolizing our dedication to each person we love reaching to the sky, taking our hope and prayers for a cure!  My hope is that you will join us in this fight by becoming a member of Cancer League of Colorado or renewing your Membership or even becoming a Lifetime Member of this amazing organization!

With Dedication,

Martha Jentz

President
Cancer League of Colorado, 2009-2010


 

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303-292-8065
PO Box 5373
Englewood, CO
80155-5373
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