Aid recipient: Loveland native Faith Siobahn Ford Ford is a graduate of Thompson Valley High School and the University of Northern Colorado. She is currently playing Alice Beineke in Vintage Theatre’s production of The Addams Family through October 27. played Tracy Turnblad in the Town Hall Arts Center’s “Hairspray” and was an ensemble member in the Green Day musical “American Idiot.” She previously performed Little Theatre of the Rockies’ “Sister Act,” “The Addams Family” and “Dogfight” in Greeley.
Her medical story: Faith began to experience issues with her throat more than a year ago, which eventually led to diagnosis of thyroid cancer at only age 24. Surgery to remove her tonsils, adenoids and lymph nodes left Faith with a staggering post-insurance, out-of-pocket hospital bill of $5,600. And she needed a second surgery to remove the thyroid and take an injection of radioactive iodine that thankfully removed all remaining cancer cells. The prognosis is god, but she has required continuing treatment, including having to take an (expensive) daily pill for life that replicates thyroid function. Plus she was out of work from her day job two months while recovering from the second surgery. The good news is Faith’s singing voice is unaffected, and she should otherwise face no further medical complications. Just expenses.
How we are helping: in 2018, The Denver Actors Fund’s board of directors voted to pay $5,000 of Faith’s expenses, which a the time represented the largest single initial payout to any of of the Colorado theatre artists the DAF has now helped. In October 2019, the Board further approved a second payment of $1,289.03 to pay for additional post-insurance medical bills. Including targeted donations from the community, The Denver Actors Fund has made $6,409.02 available to assist Faith with her medical expenses.
How you can help us help more: If you would like to direct a specific donation to help Faith pay down her ongoing expenses, simply mail checks in any amount made out to Denver Actors Fund (with Faith Ford’s name written in the topic field), to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO 80211. Or use this donation link. If you use the online option, be sure to designate that your donation is a targeted donation to Faith Ford. (She will receive 100 percent of your donation.) Otherwise, your donation will be applied to the replenishment of the Denver Actors Fund’s general fund.
A message from Faith: “When I went in for what I thought would be a painful but common procedure and came out knowing I had been diagnosed with cancer as a young and healthy woman, my life did a complete 180. I was terrified knowing this was a cancer that could directly affect my voice. Theatre performance and singing have given my life more happiness and taught me more than any other thing. I never want to give it up. There has been an overwhelming amount of love and encouragement from all ranges of the world, many of those being a part of the theatre community of Colorado. I received many nudges shortly after publicly sharing my news to contact The Denver Actors Fund and ask for financial assistance. I am not one to ask for help, but I knew I couldn’t face this alone. When I was told the board had voted to grant me $5,000 I was overwhelmed. I would have been happy to receive any amount, but this grant has given me peace of mind. I have a long road ahead with surgeries, recovery, lost work time and many more bills, but the help and comfort I have received so far is heartwarming. I am so grateful to the Denver Actors Fund and everyone who is a part of the theatre community and supports live theatre and the Denver Actors Fund. Every person makes a difference no matter how small you may feel your impact is. The bigger picture is that you are actually probably changing someone’s life, as you have changed mine, and that is a gift.”
The Denver Actors Fund has now made more than $398,000 available to Colorado artists in medical need. If you would to help us replenish our general fund, simply mail checks made out to The Denver Actors Fund to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO, 80211. Or use this donation link.
Read testimonials from other Denver Actors Fund beneficiaries here
Note: At the Denver Actors Fund, anonymity of aid recipients is presumed and fully protected, unless and until the recipient chooses to have his or her story told.
HOW YOU CAN HELP US REPLENISH:
To DONATE the Denver Actors Fund, please CLICK HERE (with our humble thanks)
ABOUT THE DENVER ACTORS FUND:
Video above: The Denver Actors Fund receives the Colorado Theatre Guild’s 2016 Community Impact Award.
The Denver Actors Fund is a modest source of immediate, situational relief when members of the local theater community find themselves in medical need. In addition to $398,000 in financial relief, a team of more than 60 Denver Actors Fund volunteers has offered good neighborly assistance to more than 100 beneficiaries including meal prep and delivery, child care, transportation, errands, construction, pet-sitting and more. For more information, visit our web site at DenverActorsFund.Org.
HOW TO APPLY FOR AID:
To apply for Denver Actors Fund aid: Fill out this brief online form here
MORE WAYS TO HELP:
DONATE BY MAIL:
Send checks made out to the Denver Actors Fund to:
P.O. Box 11182
Denver, CO 80212
VOLUNTEER:
Ever thought about taking a more active role in the Denver Actors Fund? Click here for more information
COME TO THE EVENTS THAT SUPPORT US:
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28: You know Jack Barton in the title roles of BDT Stage’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Peter and the Starcatcher.” He’s also half of an infectious, high-energy dueling piano duet called The Barton Brothers, who mix piano-bar sing-along classics with updated contemporary covers and original songs. Jack and Dan Barton are classically trained pianists and childhood choir nerds who grew up sharing stereos, piano teachers and bunk beds, developing a familiar musical vocabulary from the beginning. They’ll be taking over the BDT Stage stage for one night only, and BDT will donate $5 from every $25 ticket sold to The Denver Actors Fund. BDT is one of our greatest community partners. Please help them to continue to help us in aiding the incredible artists who make BDT Stage and all Colorado theatre such a wonderful and vibrant community. Note: There will be an a la carte menu available, but no food is included with the ticket for this event. Starys and 7 p.m. at 5501 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, GET TICKETS HERE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28: Music Director and longtime Denver Actors Fund supporter Mitch Samu, who recently moved to New York, will be back with a DAF fundraising concert at Columbine United Church. He’s arranged for some local singers to perform at the gathering to raise a little money for the DAF while also asking attendees to bringing clean white man’s crew socks to be distributed to downtown homeless by local actors Tim Fishbaugh and Carla Kaiser Kotrc. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at 6375 S Platte Canyon Road in Littleton.
VISIT OUR ONLINE MERCH STORE:
Click here to see how you can buy DAF products such as T-shirts, key chains, puzzles and much more
