For five years, Candlelight actor took on lymphoma, and Denver Actors Fund was with him every step of the way.
Aid recipient: Kent Sugg was a veteran actor and director living in Johnstown. He most recently played General Waverly in the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse (now simply called “The Candlelight“) production of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” His 36 roles there roles included Emma’s father in “Jekyll and Hyde,” Baptista in “Kiss Me, Kate!” Porter in “Tarzan,” Fagin in “Oliver!” the title role in “Scrooge” and Joseph Pulitzer “Newsies.” He also performed at the BDT Stage.
His medical story: Kent was diagnosed with Stage 3 Non-Hogkin lymphoma toward the end of 2018, and has been pursuing various courses of treatment ever since. “Fortunately, it was a slow-growing form of lymphoma that couldn’t prevent me from continuing to perform regularly at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse,” he said at the time. But in November, during Candlelight’s run of “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” Kent added, “the cancer began manifesting in my bones and, unavoidably, I was forced to begin chemotherapy.” After six months of chemo, a delighted Kent reported to us that doctors believed he was cancer-free. But the cancer came back quickly, and with a vengeance. Kent passed away June 10, 2023, at his home.
How we helped: The Denver Actors Fund has assisted Kent with significant expenses ranging from radiation to pathology to chemotherapy, starting with an $3,517 grant in February 2019 to cover Kent’s initial out-of-pocket medical bills. We helped again from time to time, most notably in March 2023, when we wiped out $2,196 Kent owed to Kaiser Permanente, and again in May, when we paid another $523 bill.
‘I’m blown away by the kindness and generosity of The Denver Actors Fund.’ – Kent Sugg
Oh, and another thing: On a separate note, Kent also had a dental crown break that had to be replaced in 2018 – and his dental insurance did not cover crowns. (Because why should insurance, you know – actually pay for anything?) Consequently, he was left with an out-of-pocket bill for $830 that was paid by the DAF. And our partnering dentist, Bran Kelly, provided an additional $850 in service as his in-kind donation to the DAF. Overall, the Denver Actors Fund provided Kent with $8,935, and will be available to his family for any remaining medical expenses that might still need to be paid.
A message from Kent: “It’s not possible to adequately thank the Denver Actors Fund and its donors for the financial support that has made this possible. I am DEEPLY grateful. Moreover, I have to express my love for the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse family of friends and colleagues who lightened my burden during challenging times. I send my love and gratitude to the Colorado theater community. Together we bring light to a world desperately in need.”
How you can help us replenish: At The Denver Actors Fund, we love it when the money goes out as fast as it comes in, which means we are in a constant state of replenishment. That’s the gig. If you would like to help us keep up, simply mail checks in any amount made out to Denver Actors Fund to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO 80212. Or use this donation link, with our humble thanks.
Read testimonials from other Denver Actors Fund beneficiaries here, or click on a recent name below:
LYNNE HASTINGS: $1,309
BRITTNI AND LAVOUR ADDISON: $13,361
ANDY BRUENING: $1,406
The Denver Actors Fund has now made $1,125,000 available to Colorado theatre artists.
Note: At The Denver Actors Fund, anonymity of aid recipients is presumed and fully protected, unless and until the recipient chooses to have their 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 source of immediate, situational relief when members of the local theater community find themselves in medical need. To date, the Fund has allocated more than $1,125,000 to more than 500 artists facing medical need. In addition to financial relief, a team of more than 100 Denver Actors Fund volunteers offers good neighborly assistance 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 80211
