Aid recipient: Sue Thompson, originally from Portland, Maine, is a Denver actor who last appeared in the ensemble of Performance Now’s “Hello, Dolly” in 2017. Sue has lived in Colorado since she was 11. She went to ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch and studied Music Theatre at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, where she met her future husband, Tyler.
Her medical story: Last October, Sue and Tyler found out they were expecting a child due June 20, 2018. The entire pregnancy was healthy. Sue was eight months pregnant when, early one morning in May, she noticed the baby wasn’t moving as much as was usual. Sue and Tyler went to the hospital only to find out their daughter, Clara Jean, had passed away. To add to her misery, Sue had to be induced and deliver her as if she were a healthy, living child. Clara Jean was delivered on May 20, 2018, at 12:13 am. Those few days in the hospital were the only time Tyler and Sue had with their daughter. The experience left them not only devastated, but with out-of-pocket hospital and doctor bills that added up to $4,944.
How we are helping: The Denver Actors Fund’s board of directors has voted to pay Sue’s entire outstanding medical bills totaling $4,944.
How you can help us help more: If you would like to direct a specific donation to help Sue pay down living expenses that accrued while she was unable to work, simply mail checks in any amount made out to Denver Actors Fund (with Sue Thompson’s name written in the topic field), to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO 80212. Or use this donation link. If you use the online option, be sure to designate that your donation is a targeted donation to Sue Thompson. (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.
Update: Targeted donations to help Sue Thompson, notably a $1,000 gift from Performance Now Theatre Company, have brought the total amount of DAF assistance for Sue and Tyler Thompson to $6,094.
A message from Sue: “When I found out about the Denver Actors Fund, I never expected that I would qualify for assistance. But when I was told they wanted to pay for all of my medical debt, I was blown away. I had taken an extended leave from work, which was a huge financial burden. Knowing I no longer had to worry about the debt I had was the best news I have received in many months. I will be eternally grateful for the generosity of DAF and their many donors.”
The Denver Actors Fund has now made more than $260,000 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, 80212. 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 $255,000 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 OUR EVENTS:
Project Careaoke Launch Party for Denver Actors Fund, Sept. 9: Please join us for a fun karaoke (and much more) fundraiser hosted by Project Careaoke that could represent the biggest infusion of funds to the Denver Actors Fund in our history. And it costs only $12 to attend. There will be competitive karaoke, Jayson Payne from JAMMIN’ DJs, live music with Float Like A Buffalo, a local artist showcase featuring live art, and a silent live auction. Starts at 5 p.m. at The Venue. located at 1451 Cortez St. in Denver (at Highway 36 and Pecos Street). Please come, and spread the word! Purchase your tickets here
‘Miscast’ returns Sept. 17: “Miscast,” which is presented each year by Robert Michael Sanders as a benefit for The Denver Actors Fund, is an opportunity for local performers to sing songs and act out scenes they would never … ever! … get cast to perform on any legit stage. Think gender-bending, race-bending and age-bending. Odd couples and mixed groups. Wrong is oh so right. “Miscast” has evolved over the years into one of the biggest nights of the year in the Colorado theatre community – and it is a really good show. “Miscast 2018” will be held Sept. 17 at a new location: The Mizel Arts and Culture Center. Purchase tickets here or avoid fees by ordering by phone at 303.316.6360. (Leave a message if unattended.)
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